Dataset Information

Is only one cognitive technique also effective? Results from a randomized controlled trial of two different versions of an internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder in Arabic-speaking countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Internet-based cognitive-behavioural interventions seem to be effective for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Arabic-speaking countries in the MENA region. However, due to high prevalence rates of trauma-related mental disorders in this region, it is important to scale up existing Internet-based interventions in order to increase the number of clients.

Objective

The aim of the study was to examine whether a brief Internet-based intervention with one cognitive technique (TF-short, 6 assignments) results in the same PTSD symptom change and lower dropouts compared to a longer intervention with two cognitive techniques (TF-reg, 10 assignments).

Method

A total of 224 Arab participants (67.4% female; M = 25.3 years old) with PTSD were randomly assigned to Internet-based CBT with either a TF-reg protocol (n = 110) or a TF-short protocol (n = 114). Symptoms of PTSD and secondary outcomes (anxiety, depression, somatic complaints, quality of life) were self-assessed online at baseline and post-treatment. Treatment-associated changes were estimated using multigroup latent difference score models.

Results

The overall PTSD score assessed with the PDS decreased by about 15 points in both conditions. The between-group differences (TF-reg vs. TF-short) at post-assessment were non-significant, Δ = 0.29, p = .896, d = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.30, 0.34]. Like the primary outcome, all within-group changes for the secondary outcomes throughout the intervention were statistically significant and all between-group effects were non-significant. Overall, the dropout rates did not differ between the two conditions, χ2 (1/N = 175) = 0.83, p = .364.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the shorter condition results in the same symptom change and dropout rate as the longer condition. This highlights the potential of shorter, more scalable Internet-based interventions in socially restricted and (post-)conflict societies.

Clinicaltrialsgov id

NCT01508377.

SUBMITTER: Bottche M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8284136 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Is only one cognitive technique also effective? Results from a randomized controlled trial of two different versions of an internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder in Arabic-speaking countries.

Böttche Maria M Wagner Birgit B Vöhringer Max M Heinrich Manuel M Stein Jana J Selmo Pirko P Stammel Nadine N Knaevelsrud Christine C

European journal of psychotraumatology 20210715 1

<h4>Background</h4>Internet-based cognitive-behavioural interventions seem to be effective for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Arabic-speaking countries in the MENA region. However, due to high prevalence rates of trauma-related mental disorders in this region, it is important to scale up existing Internet-based interventions in order to increase the number of clients.<h4>Objective</h4>The aim of the study was to examine whether a brief Internet-based intervention with o ...[more]

PMID: 34345377

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Project description:BackgroundMost forcibly displaced refugees in Sweden originate from the Arab Republic of Syria and Iraq. Approximately half of all refugees are aged between 15 and 26 years. This particular group of youths is at a higher risk for developing various mental disorders. However, low use of mental health services across Europe has been reported. Previous research indicates that culturally adapted psychological interventions may be suitable for refugee youths. However, little is known about the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of such psychological interventions.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an individually tailored and culturally adapted internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for Arabic-speaking refugees and immigrant youths in Sweden.MethodsA total of 17 participants were included to participate in an open trial study of an individually tailored and culturally adapted internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy targeting common mental health problems. To assess the intervention outcome, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist was used. To explore the acceptability of the intervention, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 participants using thematic analysis. Feasibility was assessed by measuring treatment adherence and by calculating recruitment and retention rates.ResultsThe intervention had a high dropout rate and low feasibility. Quantitative analyses of the treatment efficacy were not possible because of the high dropout rate. The qualitative analysis resulted in 3 overarching categories: experiences with SahaUng (the treatment), attitudes toward psychological interventions, and personal factors important for adherence.ConclusionsThe findings from this study indicate that the feasibility and acceptability of the current intervention were low and, based on the qualitative analysis, could be increased by a refinement of recruitment strategies, further simplification of the treatment content, and modifications to the cultural adaptation.

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Dataset Information

Is only one cognitive technique also effective? Results from a randomized controlled trial of two different versions of an internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder in Arabic-speaking countries.

Background

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusions

Clinicaltrialsgov id

Publications

Is only one cognitive technique also effective? Results from a randomized controlled trial of two different versions of an internet-based cognitive behavioural intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder in Arabic-speaking countries.

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