Narrative exposure therapy for survivors of human trafficking: feasibility randomised controlled trial
Francesca Brady,
Amy Chisholm,
Eileen Walsh,
Livia Ottisova,
Leonardo Bevilacqua,
Claire Mason,
Martha von Werthern,
Teresa Cannon,
Christina Curry,
Kemi Komolafe,
Rachel Elizabeth Robert,
Katy Robjant,
Cornelius Katona
Affiliations
Francesca Brady
The Helen Bamber Foundation, London, UK; Woodfield Trauma Service, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; and Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, UK
Amy Chisholm
Freedom from Torture, London, UK
Eileen Walsh
The Helen Bamber Foundation, London, UK; and Traumatic Stress Clinic, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
Livia Ottisova
Traumatic Stress Clinic, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
Leonardo Bevilacqua
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of East Anglia, UK
Claire Mason
School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK
Martha von Werthern
Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, UK
Teresa Cannon
The Helen Bamber Foundation, London, UK
Christina Curry
The Helen Bamber Foundation, London, UK
Kemi Komolafe
The Helen Bamber Foundation, London, UK
Rachel Elizabeth Robert
The Helen Bamber Foundation, London, UK
Katy Robjant
Freedom from Torture, London, UK; and Vivo International, Konstanz, Germany
Background Human 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. Aims To 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). Method A 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. Results NET 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. Conclusions The 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.
