A randomized-controlled trial of community- based transdiagnostic psychotherapy for veterans and internally displaced persons in Ukraine
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Date
2021
Authors
Bogdanov, Sergiy
Augustinavicius, Jura
Bass, Judith
Metz, Kristie
Skavenski, Stephanie
Singh, Namrita
Moore, Quincy
Haroz, Emily
Kane, Jeremy
Doty, S. Benjamin
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Abstract
Background. There is limited research on community-based mental health interventions in
former Soviet countries despite different contextual factors from where most research has
been conducted. Ongoing military conflict has resulted in many displaced persons and
veterans and their families with high burdens of mental health problems. Lack of community-based services and poor uptake of existing psychiatric services led to the current trial
to determine the effectiveness of the common elements treatment approach (CETA) on anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTS) among conflict affected adults in
Ukraine.
Methods. We conducted a three-armed randomized-controlled trial of CETA delivered in its
standard form (8–12 sessions), a brief form (five-sessions), and a wait-control condition.
Eligible participants were displaced adults, army veterans and their adult family members
with elevated depression and/or PTS and impaired functioning. Treatment was delivered by
community-based providers trained in both standard and brief CETA. Outcome data were
collected monthly.
Results. There were 302 trial participants (n = 117 brief CETA, n = 129 standard CETA, n = 56
wait-controls). Compared with wait-controls, participants in standard and brief CETA experienced clinically and statistically significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and PTS and
dysfunction (effect sizes d = 0.46–1.0–6). Comparing those who received standard CETA
with brief CETA, the former reported fewer symptoms and less dysfunction with small-to-medium effect sized (d = 0.20–0.55).
Conclusions. Standard CETA is more effective than brief CETA, but brief CETA also had significant effects compared with wait-controls. Given demonstrated effectiveness, CETA could
be scaled up as an effective community-based approach.
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Keywords
CETA, Brief CETA, community-based, trial, mental health, military conflict, psychotherapy, article
Citation
A randomized-controlled trial of community- based transdiagnostic psychotherapy for veterans and internally displaced persons in Ukraine [electronic resource] / Sergiy Bogdanov, Jura Augustinavicius, Judith K. Bass, Kristie Metz, Stephanie Skavenski, Namrita S. Singh, Quincy Moore, Emily E. Haroz, Jeremy Kane, Ben Doty, Laura Murray, Paul Bolton // Global Mental Health. - 2021. - Vol. 8. - Article Number: e32.