Islamic Trauma Healing: Feasibility Study
Condition: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
MeSH terms: Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study will examine the initial feasibility of a program called Islamic Trauma Healing by
      conducting a small feasibility study (N = 26) of Islamic Trauma Healing in Somalia on key
      targets of PTSD, depression, somatic symptoms, and quality of life. The hypothesis is that
      those in Islamic Trauma Healing will show a reduction of PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms,
      and somatic symptoms and show improvement in quality of well-being. Feasibility will also be
      examined by examining at retention, satisfaction, and community feedback.
    

Detailed description: 
      Islamic Trauma Healing is a lay-led, small-group intervention specifically targeting healing
      mental wounds of trauma within mosques. The six-session intervention combines empirically
      supported exposure-based and cognitive restructuring techniques with Islamic principles. A
      lay-led, group program promotes community building, acknowledges trauma's impact in the
      community, and facilitates wider implementation. The program is not referred to as "therapy"
      or "treatment" for "mental illness." It incorporates community building (e.g., shared tea,
      supplication), integrated Islamic principles that utilize cognitive restructuring through
      discussion of prophet narratives (e.g., faith during hard times, Prophet Job [Ayyub]), and
      exposure therapy through individual prayer, talking to Allah about the trauma. Ultimately,
      the program will follow a self-sustaining train-the-trainer model, led by group leaders,
      empowering lay leaders to facilitate healing in their communities. Further, training time is
      dramatically reduced to two, 4-hour training sessions, focusing on teaching skills of group
      discussion leading rather than training as a lay therapist or mental health counselor.
      Preliminary data from a community sample and from initial men's and women's groups show a
      strong perceived need and match with the Islamic faith, with large effects obtained for pre-
      to post-group across measures (g = 0.76-3.22). Qualitative analysis identified the
      intervention as operating on potential mechanisms of connectedness to the community, faith
      integration, healing, and growth. The preliminary data point to the program being
      well-received and offering a promising model for delivery of a trauma-focused intervention to
      Muslim communities. The next steps are examining Islamic Trauma Healing in low and
      moderate-income Muslim countries, examining the feasibility of implementing this lay-led
      program.
    

Intervention name(s): Islamic Trauma Healing
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): 6 session behavioral intervention program designed to reduce PTSD and related symptomatology
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention model description: This is an active intervention feasibility study, using a pre-post clinical trial design; there is no randomization and no control intervention.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment