Narrative exposure therapy for survivors of human trafficking: feasibility randomised controlled trial

BackgroundHuman trafficking is a grave human rights violation and a major public health concern. Survivors present with high rates of mental health problems including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies of effective treatments for PTSD in survivors of human trafficking are lacking. Narrat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BJPsych open 2021-11, Vol.7 (6), Article e196
Main Authors: Brady, Francesca, Chisholm, Amy, Walsh, Eileen, Ottisova, Livia, Bevilacqua, Leonardo, Mason, Claire, von Werthern, Martha, Cannon, Teresa, Curry, Christina, Komolafe, Kemi, Robert, Rachel Elizabeth, Robjant, Katy, Katona, Cornelius
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Exploitation
Feasibility studies
Human rights
Human trafficking
individual psychotherapy
Mental depression
Mental Health Services
Post traumatic stress disorder
randomised controlled trial
trauma
Violence
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Summary:BackgroundHuman trafficking is a grave human rights violation and a major public health concern. Survivors present with high rates of mental health problems including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Studies of effective treatments for PTSD in survivors of human trafficking are lacking. Narrative exposure therapy (NET) is an effective PTSD treatment for multiple, prolonged and complex trauma, but its efficacy has not been rigorously tested in survivors of human trafficking.AimsTo test the feasibility and acceptability of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) offering NET as a treatment for PTSD in trafficking survivors with a history of multiple traumatic events, as well as providing preliminary evidence regarding its efficacy (trial registration: ISRCTN95136302).MethodA single-blind RCT compared NET with a wait-list control in survivors of trafficking with PTSD (n = 25). In the NET arm of the study, participants attended a mean of 17 sessions.ResultsNET was well tolerated by participants. There were significant reductions in PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms post-treatment in the NET group but no significant change in the wait-list group.ConclusionsThe results indicate that NET is a promising and acceptable treatment for trafficking survivors. Psychological therapy in an RCT design can be safely delivered to this vulnerable group, although modifications are required to ensure their holistic needs are properly addressed.
ISSN:2056-4724
2056-4724
DOI:10.1192/bjo.2021.1029