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Narrative exposure therapy for survivors of human trafficking: feasibility randomised controlled trial

Brady, F; Chisholm, A; Walsh, E; Ottisova, L; Bevilacqua, L; Mason, C; von Werthern, M; ... Katona, C; + view all (2021) Narrative exposure therapy for survivors of human trafficking: feasibility randomised controlled trial. BJPsych Open , 7 (6) , Article e196. 10.1192/bjo.2021.1029. Green open access

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Human trafficking is a grave human rights violation and a major public health concern. Survivors present with high rates of mental health problems including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies of effective treatments for PTSD in survivors of human trafficking are lacking. Narrative exposure therapy (NET) is an effective PTSD treatment for multiple, prolonged and complex trauma, but its efficacy has not been rigorously tested in survivors of human trafficking. AIMS: To test the feasibility and acceptability of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) offering NET as a treatment for PTSD in trafficking survivors with a history of multiple traumatic events, as well as providing preliminary evidence regarding its efficacy (trial registration: ISRCTN95136302). METHOD: A single-blind RCT compared NET with a wait-list control in survivors of trafficking with PTSD (n = 25). In the NET arm of the study, participants attended a mean of 17 sessions. RESULTS: NET was well tolerated by participants. There were significant reductions in PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms post-treatment in the NET group but no significant change in the wait-list group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that NET is a promising and acceptable treatment for trafficking survivors. Psychological therapy in an RCT design can be safely delivered to this vulnerable group, although modifications are required to ensure their holistic needs are properly addressed.

Type: Article
Title: Narrative exposure therapy for survivors of human trafficking: feasibility randomised controlled trial
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2021.1029
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2021.1029
Language: English
Additional information: This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Keywords: Post-traumatic stress disorder, individual psychotherapy, randomised controlled trial, trauma, human rights
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences > Clinical, Edu and Hlth Psychology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Division of Psychiatry
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10137309
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