Results from three consecutive randomised trials on the treatment effect among trauma-affected refugees: -What have we learnt and where should we go from here?

For many years there has been a lack of high quality studies looking at treatment outcome among trauma-affected refugees. Results from previous studies have pointed to a high level of emotional distress, a complexity in mental... [ view full abstract ]

For many years there has been a lack of high quality studies looking at treatment outcome among trauma-affected refugees. Results from previous studies have pointed to a high level of emotional distress, a complexity in mental health and social problems and ongoing stressors affecting the present mental health. Since the Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry (CTP) in Copenhagen was established in 2008, research on treatment outcome has been one of the primary focus areas. So far, three pragmatic randomised trials have been finished with a focus on the following treatment modalities:
1. Flexible cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation in combination with pharmacological treatment (sertraline and mianserin)
2. CBT with a focus on either stress management or cognitive restructuring
3. Pharmacological treatment with either sertraline or venlafaxine
The objective of this presentation is to describe the rationale, design and results from the first three randomised trials carried out at CTP and to on the basis of these large and methodological rigorous studies, summarize and discuss the results so far. Finally future directions for treatment outcome research will be discussed.