Trials
Volume 19, Issue 1, 2018

Music therapy versus treatment as usual for refugees diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (Article) (Open Access)

Beck B.D.* , Lund S.T. , Søgaard U. , Simonsen E. , Tellier T.C. , Cordtz T.O. , Laier G.H. , Moe T.
  • a Aalborg University, Department of Communication and Psychology, Aalborg, Denmark, Clinic for Traumatized Refugees, Køge, Region Zealand, Denmark
  • b Clinic for Traumatized Refugees, Køge, Region Zealand, Denmark
  • c Department of Specialized Functions, Psychiatry, Køge, Region Zealand, Denmark
  • d Copenhagen University, Institute for Clinical Medicine, SUND, København, Denmark, Research Unit in Psychiatry, Slagelse, Region Zealand, Denmark
  • e Department of Specialized Functions, Psychiatry, Køge, Region Zealand, Denmark
  • f Clinic for Traumatized Refugees, Køge, Region Zealand, Denmark
  • g PFI (Production, Research, Innovation), Sorø, Region Zealand, Denmark
  • h Clinic for Traumatized Refugees, Køge, Region Zealand, Denmark

Abstract

Background: Meta-analyses of studies on psychological treatment of refugees describe highly varying outcomes, and research on multi-facetted and personalized treatment of refugees with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is needed. Music therapy has been found to affect arousal regulation and emotional processing, and a pilot study on the music therapy method Trauma-focused Music and Imagery (TMI) with traumatized refugees resulted in significant changes of trauma symptoms, well-being and sleep quality. The aim of the trial is to test the efficacy of TMI compared to verbal psychotherapy. Methods: A randomized controlled study with a non-inferiority design is carried out in three locations of a regional outpatient psychiatric clinic for refugees. Seventy Arabic-, English- or Danish-speaking adult refugees (aged 18-67years) diagnosed with PTSD are randomized to 16 sessions of either music therapy or verbal therapy (standard treatment). All participants are offered medical treatment, psychoeducation by nurses, physiotherapy or body therapy and social counseling as needed. Outcome measures are performed at baseline, post therapy and at 6 months' follow-up. A blind assessor measures outcomes post treatment and at follow-up. Questionnaires measuring trauma symptoms (HTQ), quality of life (WHO-5), dissociative symptoms (SDQ-20, DSS-20) and adult attachment (RAAS) are applied, as well as physiological measures (salivary oxytocin, beta-endorphin and substance P) and participant evaluation of each session. Discussion: The effect of music therapy can be explained by theories on affect regulation and social engagement, and the impact of music on brain regions affected by PTSD. The study will shed light on the role of therapy for the attainment of a safe attachment style, which recently has been shown to be impaired in traumatized refugees. The inclusion of music and imagery in the treatment of traumatized refugees hopefully will inform the choice of treatment method and expand the possibilities for improving refugee health and integration. © 2018 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Non-inferiority Refugees Music therapy PTSD Oxytocin Music and imagery Randomized clinical trial trauma

Index Keywords

oxytocin refugee music therapy comparative effectiveness nurse Substance P verbal psychotherapy Imagery (Psychotherapy) Equivalence Trials as Topic Multicenter Studies as Topic metabolism psychoeducation multicenter study (topic) beta-Endorphin follow up guided imagery human physiotherapy Refugees middle aged equivalence trial (topic) Saliva Denmark beta endorphin controlled study time factor coping behavior Time Factors randomized controlled trial Adaptation, Psychological Aged language psychotherapy quality of life patient counseling Young Adult Humans psychology Treatment Outcome Adolescent male female questionnaire outpatient department Article major clinical study adult posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic outcome assessment
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85047948615&doi=10.1186%2fs13063-018-2662-z&partnerID=40&md5=e4605a57bf31a91a3e807bacacc87917
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-2662-z
ISSN: 17456215
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English