Trauma, Psychological clinical trials

Narrative Exposure Therapy for Adults With Intellectual Disability

The purpose of the study is to identify how Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) can be adapted for delivery with adults with mild Intellectual Disability (ID) and to explore whether NET can reduce symptoms of traumatic stress in this population. The first phase of the research involves working with a speech and language therapist to make adaptations to the therapy and research materials for adults with mild ID. This work will then be triangulated by gaining feedback from a service user focus group on the accessibility of materials for adults with mild ID. The second phase of the research consists of a 'sequential measurement single case studies series' to explore the effectiveness of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) in reducing symptoms of PTSD or prominent symptoms. Questionnaires will be completed before, during and after the therapy by both the adult with ID and a carer if possible and consenting. Electrodermal activity of participants will be measured throughout sessions (using an unobtrusive device) as an indicator of physiological arousal. All measures will be visually analysed using established criteria and statistical methods where possible. The impact of NET on a person's memory of events in their life will be explored by examining how coherent participants' accounts of traumatic experiences are before and after NET using coding systems developed by previous studies. An interview will take place approximately six weeks after therapy with the participant by an independent researcher. This will aim to collect qualitative data about the participants' experiences of NET and will be analysed using content analysis. Participants will be recruited primarily from Intellectual Disability services in Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. This will be extended to Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust if necessary (Secondary care). The investigators intend to recruit six participants and six carers to the study.