Treatment of Formerly Abducted Children (FAC) in Uganda

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Official Title
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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)

Conditions
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Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy
* Behavioral: Academic Counseling


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: clinical diagnosis of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) derived from expert interviews member of the group of formerly abducted people or former child soldiers Exclusion Criteria: current substance dependence mental retardation psychotic disorder

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 12 Years
Maximum Age: 25 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: NET<br> | Behavioral: Narrative Exposure Therapy<br>* 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.<br>* Other names: NET;|
| Active Comparator: AC<br> | Behavioral: Academic Counseling<br>* 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.<br>* Other names: AC;|
| No Intervention: WL<br>Waiting list | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Load of traumatic symptoms measured via the CAPS (Clinician-administered PTSD scale) |  | 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after completion of treatment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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PTSD, Treatment, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial, Combat, Child Soldiers, Dissemination, Narrative Exposure Therapy, Africa