Dataset Information

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Intervention for Delayed Psychological Effects in Snakebite Victims.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Snakebite results in delayed psychological morbidity and negative psycho-social impact. However, psychological support is rarely provided to victims.

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of a brief intervention which can be provided by non-specialist doctors aimed at reducing psychological morbidity following snakebite envenoming.

Method

In a single blind, randomized controlled trial, snakebite victims with systemic envenoming [n = 225, 168 males, mean age 42.1 (SD 12.4) years] were randomized into three arms. One arm received no intervention (n = 68, Group A), the second received psychological first aid and psychoeducation (dispelling prevalent cultural beliefs related to snakebite which promote development of a sick role) at discharge from hospital (n = 65, Group B), while the third received psychological first aid and psychoeducation at discharge and a second intervention one month later based on cognitive behavioural principles (n = 69, Group C). All patients were assessed six months after hospital discharge for the presence of psychological symptoms and level of functioning using standardized tools.

Results

At six months, there was a decreasing trend in the proportion of patients who were positive for psychiatric symptoms of depression and anxiety from Group A through Group B to Group C (Chi square test for trend = 7.901, p = 0.005). This was mainly due to a decreasing trend for symptoms of anxiety (chi-square for trend = 11.256, p = 0.001). There was also decreasing trend in the overall prevalence of disability from Group A through Group B to Group C (chi square for trend = 7.551, p = 0.006), predominantly in relation to disability in family life (p = 0.006) and social life (p = 0.005). However, there was no difference in the proportion of patients diagnosed with depression between the three groups (chi square for trend = 0.391, p = 0.532), and the intervention also had no effect on post-traumatic stress disorder.

Conclusions

A brief psychological intervention, which included psychological first aid and psychoeducation plus cognitive behavioural therapy that can be provided by non-specialist doctors appeared to reduce psychiatric symptoms and disability after snakebite envenoming, but not depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Trial registration

Sri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry: SLCTR/2011/003.

SUBMITTER: Wijesinghe CA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4532481 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Intervention for Delayed Psychological Effects in Snakebite Victims.

Wijesinghe Chamara A CA Williams Shehan S SS Kasturiratne Anuradhani A Dolawaththa Nishantha N Wimalaratne Piyal P Wijewickrema Buddhika B Jayamanne Shaluka F SF Isbister Geoffrey K GK Dawson Andrew H AH Lalloo David G DG de Silva H Janaka HJ

PLoS neglected tropical diseases 20150811 8

<h4>Background</h4>Snakebite results in delayed psychological morbidity and negative psycho-social impact. However, psychological support is rarely provided to victims.<h4>Aim</h4>To assess the effectiveness of a brief intervention which can be provided by non-specialist doctors aimed at reducing psychological morbidity following snakebite envenoming.<h4>Method</h4>In a single blind, randomized controlled trial, snakebite victims with systemic envenoming [n = 225, 168 males, mean age 42.1 (SD 12 ...[more]

PMID: 26261987

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Dataset Information

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Intervention for Delayed Psychological Effects in Snakebite Victims.

Background

Aim

Method

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

Publications

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief Intervention for Delayed Psychological Effects in Snakebite Victims.

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