Treatment of Formerly Abducted Children (FAC) in Uganda
A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial (RCCT) to Test the Effectiveness of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) Versus an Attention Control Condition (AC) in Reducing Trauma Related Symptoms in Formerly Abducted Children and Former Child Soldiers Suffering From Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
1 other identifier
interventional
85
1 country
1
Brief Summary
In the aftermath of traumatic experiences like natural disasters or man-caused traumatic events, such as war experiences, a substantial part of the affected individuals develop a number of psychological symptoms. The characteristic symptom pattern occurring in the aftermath of traumatic events is called posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and includes functional impairment of the affected individuals. The investigators want to test whether Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is an effective tool in reducing trauma related symptoms in formerly abducted children and youths and former child soldiers, when applied by lay personnel.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started Nov 2007
Typical duration for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
October 31, 2007
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
November 1, 2007
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
November 1, 2007
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
November 1, 2009
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
November 1, 2009
CompletedMarch 8, 2011
July 1, 2008
2 years
October 31, 2007
March 7, 2011
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Load of traumatic symptoms measured via the CAPS (Clinician-administered PTSD scale)
3 months, 6 months and 1 year after completion of treatment
Secondary Outcomes (1)
Load of depressive symptoms measured via the MINI, strength of suicidal ideation measured via the MINI, functionality measured via the CAPS, feelings of guilt measured via the CAPS, stigmatization measured via an adapted version of the PSQ
3 months, 6 months and 1 year after completion of treatment
Study Arms (3)
NET
EXPERIMENTALAC
ACTIVE COMPARATORWL
NO INTERVENTIONWaiting list
Interventions
Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) is based on Testimony Therapy in combination with cognitive behavioural exposure techniques and elements of client-centered counselling. In cooperation with the therapist the clients can restore their autobiographic memories about their traumatic experiences. In this way fragmentary memories are transformed into a coherent narrative structure. This practice enables the processing of painful emotions and the construction of clear contingencies of dangerous and safe conditions, generally leading to significant emotional recovery. Therapeutic aims are the reduction of PTSD-Symptomload via activation of fear-network and habituation of fear and the placement of traumatic experiences in a reconstructed, detailed and consistent autobiography. NET will be applied in eight sessions (90-120min/session) in a standardized, manualized manner.
Missing time in educational life is one major issue for formerly abducted people. The Academic Counseling (AC) intervention is an active Control condition and improves English skills and works at the same time on concentration, learning and memory abilities. The clients will gain some of the abilities and skills they might have lost or developed weaknesses in due to their abduction. AC will be applied in eight sessions (90-120min/session) in a standardized, manualized manner.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- clinical diagnosis of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) derived from expert interviews
- member of the group of formerly abducted people or former child soldiers
You may not qualify if:
- current substance dependence
- mental retardation
- psychotic disorder
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- University of Konstanzlead
- German Research Foundationcollaborator
Study Sites (1)
Vivo Counselling Centre
Anaka, Amuru, Uganda
Related Publications (1)
Ertl V, Pfeiffer A, Schauer E, Elbert T, Neuner F. Community-implemented trauma therapy for former child soldiers in Northern Uganda: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2011 Aug 3;306(5):503-12. doi: 10.1001/jama.2011.1060.
PMID: 21813428DERIVED
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Frank Neuner, Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Bielefeld University
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Thomas Elbert, Univ.-Prof. Dr.
University of Konstanz
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Verena Ertl, Dipl.-Psych. (MSc)
Bielefeld University
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- DOUBLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
October 31, 2007
First Posted
November 1, 2007
Study Start
November 1, 2007
Primary Completion
November 1, 2009
Study Completion
November 1, 2009
Last Updated
March 8, 2011
Record last verified: 2008-07