A brief treatment for anxiety disorders and PTSD in South Africa

Brief Transdiagnostic Treatment for Anxiety Disorders and PTSD in South Africa: A Hybrid-Effectiveness Trial

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10892939

This study is testing a new, shorter treatment for anxiety and PTSD that can be used in regular doctor’s offices in South Africa, making it easier for people to get the help they need.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10892939 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a brief treatment approach for anxiety disorders and PTSD, specifically designed for primary care settings in South Africa. The treatment, known as False Safety Behavior Elimination Treatment (F-SET), aims to overcome barriers to care by being shorter, culturally appropriate, and easier to administer than traditional evidence-based treatments. By focusing on multiple disorders simultaneously, this approach seeks to increase access to effective mental health care for individuals who currently lack treatment options. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment in real-world clinical settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals in South Africa experiencing anxiety disorders or PTSD who have limited access to traditional mental health treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with severe mental health conditions requiring intensive or specialized care may not benefit from this brief treatment approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to effective mental health care for individuals suffering from anxiety disorders and PTSD in low and middle-income countries.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using brief, transdiagnostic treatments for anxiety and PTSD, indicating potential for success in this novel application.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome VirusAnxiety Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.