Narrative Exposure Therapy Versus Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy

Depression Clinical Trial

Official title:

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

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Terminated

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00623298
• Other study ID #: Fogr SOSS
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: Phase 2
• First received: February 14, 2008
• Last updated: February 25, 2008
• Start date: January 2005
• Est. completion date: March 2006

Study information

• Verified date: February 2008
• Source: University of Konstanz
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: University of Konstanz: Germany
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

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.

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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Terminated
• Enrollment: 26
• Est. completion date: March 2006
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 13 Years to 29 Years

Eligibility

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 Design

Allocation: Non-Randomized, Masking: Single Blind (Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Depression
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy
• Narrative Exposure Therapy
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Stress Disorders, Traumatic

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Narrative Exposure Therapy

• group IPT

Other:
• 6 months-baseline

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Konstanz	vivo

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, symptoms of depression