Narrative exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in tortured refugees: a preliminary uncontrolled trial.
Torture has severe mental health effects, especially in terms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. However, there is still a lack of empirical treatment studies. The present paper presents data on 16 torture survivors receiving 10 sessions of narrative exposure therapy (NET). Symptoms of PTSD and depression, assessed by Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), decreased significantly from pre-treatment to 6-month follow-up, with Cohen's d effect sizes of 1.16 and 0.84, respectively. Although treatment gains were moderate, further research on evidence-based treatments for PTSD and depression in refugee torture survivors is warranted.
Halvorsen
Joar Øveraas
JØ
Centre on Violence, Traumatic Stress and Suicide Prevention, Mid-Norway, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. joar.overaas.halvorsen@stolav.no
Stenmark
Håkon
H
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007171:Implosive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D014104:Torture / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome