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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00552006

Treatment of Formerly Abducted Children (FAC) in Uganda

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

12 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Vivo Counselling Centre

Anaka, Amuru, Uganda

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

Narrative Exposure Therapy

Behavioral

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.

Other names: NET

Academic Counseling

Behavioral

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.

Other names: AC

Primary outcomes

  1. Load of traumatic symptoms measured via the CAPS (Clinician-administered PTSD scale)

    Time frame: 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

    Time frame: 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after completion of treatment

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Konstanz

Other

Collaborators

  • German Research Foundation

Registry information

Official study title

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)

Important dates

Study start
2007
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2009
First posted
Nov 1, 2007
Registry last updated
Mar 8, 2011

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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