Narrative Exposure Therapy Versus Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy

February 25, 2008 updated by: University of Konstanz

Narrative Exposure Therapy Versus Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy -A Controlled Clinical Trial With Orphaned Survivors of the Rwandan Genocide

The present study is a pragmatic trial that investigates the efficacy and usefulness of two treatment modules in a sample of Rwandan genocide orphans: Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) versus group-Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). We used a half year baseline to measure the treatment-induced changes. We hypothesized that there would be a greater reduction in posttraumatic stress symptoms in the NET- than in the IPT-group and that IPT would be superior to NET in the reduction of depression symptoms.

Study Overview

Status

Terminated

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The 1994 genocide of Rwanda has left countless children orphaned. 26 Rwandan orphans who fulfilled DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD were offered participation in a controlled treatment trial. A group adaptation of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT, n = 14) was compared to Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET, n = 12). Main outcome measures were symptoms of PTSD and depression assessed pre-treatment, 3 months after therapy (post-test) and 6 months after therapy (follow-up) using the CAPS, MINI and Hamilton Rating Scale. At post-test, participants in both treatment conditions showed reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms and depression symptoms. At 6-month follow-up, NET proved to be more effective in the treatment of PTSD. Only 25% (n = 3) of NET-participants but 71% (n = 10) of the IPT-participants still fulfilled PTSD criteria at follow-up. Although there was a significant reduction in depression symptoms in both treatment groups from pre-test to follow-up, NET again proved to be more effective. This treatment-trial demonstrates that NET and group-IPT are suitable treatment modules even when most severe traumatic stress and difficult living conditions have led to chronic mental suffering.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

26

Phase

  • Phase 2

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

13 years to 29 years (Child, Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Rwandan orphans who have experienced the genocide, who lost at least one parent during the genocide and who were no older than 18 years during the genocide

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Mental retardation
  • Psychotic symptoms or current drug or alcohol

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 1
NET
Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy
No Intervention: 3
6-months baseline
Other: 6 months-baseline
Experimental: 2
group IPT
Behavioral: group IPT

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, symptoms of depression

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Konstanz

Collaborators

vivo

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

January 1, 2005

Study Completion (Actual)

March 1, 2006

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 14, 2008

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 25, 2008

First Posted (Estimate)

February 26, 2008

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

February 26, 2008

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 25, 2008

Last Verified

February 1, 2008

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Fogr SOSS

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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