Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Volume 39, Issue 2, 2010, Pages 81-91

Can asylum-seekers with posttraumatic stress disorder be successfully treated? A randomized controlled pilot study (Article)

Neuner F.* , Kurreck S. , Ruf M. , Odenwald M. , Elbert T. , Schauer M.
  • a Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
  • b Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
  • c Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
  • d Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
  • e Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
  • f Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany

Abstract

Rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are exceptionally high among asylumseekers. Reportedly, stressors caused by the asylum procedure and psychological consequences of torture contribute to the maintenance of symptoms and interfere with treatment. In a pilot randomized controlled trial, the authors examined the efficacy of trauma-focused treatment in 32 asylum-seekers with PTSD resulting from state-sponsored violence and other traumatic events. Narrative exposure therapy (NET) was compared with treatment as usual (TAU), with a focus on stabilization and psychoactive medication. Six months after treatment, a significant reduction of posttraumatic stress symptoms was found in the NET participants but not in the TAU group. Although treatment gains were moderate, these results indicate that NET is a promising approach for the treatment of PTSD in asylum-seekers living in unstable conditions. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

Therapy posttraumatic stress disorder Refugees Asylum-seekers Torture

Index Keywords

Germany refugee controlled clinical trial psychological aspect clinical trial methodology Implosive Therapy behavior therapy human Refugees controlled study randomized controlled trial Humans male female pilot study Article adult posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Pilot Projects Torture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77952276400&doi=10.1080%2f16506070903121042&partnerID=40&md5=b872807dfb79bb5b68deb40b899bba7e
DOI: 10.1080/16506070903121042
ISSN: 16506073
Cited by: 85
Original Language: English