Research aim:
- To examine the effectiveness of antidepressants and psychoeducation in treating trauma-related PTSD and depression.
- To examine the effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT).
- To examine the effect of combining TFCBT and medical treatment.
Design: Randomised controlled trial
Population: 200 trauma-affected refugees
Methods: Participants receive either medical treatment, TFCBT, or a combination of both. Follow-up interviews are conducted 6 and 18 months post-treatment to assess symptoms, quality of life, functional levels, and stressful events. Patients also complete satisfaction questionnaires after 2 months of treatment. Data on treatment outcomes, acceptability, and long-term effects are analysed, including comparisons between patients who experienced torture and those affected by other traumas.
Primary investigator: Cæcilie Buhmann, MD, PhD
Publications
Buhmann, C. B., Nordentoft, M., Ekstroem, M., Carlsson, J., & Mortensen, E. L. (2016). The effect of flexible cognitive–behavioural therapy and medicaltreatment, including antidepressants on post-traumatic stress disorder anddepression in traumatised refugees: pragmatic randomised controlled clinicaltrial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 208(3), 252-259.
Buhmann, C. B., Nordentoft, M., Ekstroem, M., Carlsson, J., & Mortensen, E. L. (2018). Long-term treatment effect of trauma-affected refugees with flexible cognitive behavioural therapy and antidepressants. Psychiatry Research, 264, 217-223.
Buhmann, C. B., Carlsson, J., & Mortensen, E. L. (2018). Satisfaction of trauma-affected refugees treated with antidepressants and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Torture Journal, 28(2), 118-129.