The Outcome of Treatment of Traumatised Refugees With Psychotherapy and/or Antidepressants
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of treatment of traumatized refugees
with a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The existing evidence point
towards antidepressants of the type SSRI and trauma-focused cognitive Behavioural Therapy
being the most effective treatments of PTSD, but very little evidence of treatment effects
exist for the group of multitraumatized refugees. This study therefore seeks to investigate
the treatment effect of 6 months drug therapy with antidepressants (Sertraline and/ or
Mianserine) and/or trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. A total of 200 individual
will undergo treatment. They will be randomized to 4 different groups: antidepressants,
psychotherapy, a combination og drug and psychotherapy and a waiting list. Outcome measures
include symptoms, life quality and function. Patients with a diagnosis of drug abuse or
psychosis will not be included. The hypothesis is that a combination of antidepressants and
psychotherapy will be more effective than either of the two treatment regimes on their own.