A brief treatment for anxiety disorders and PTSD in South Africa
Official title: Brief Transdiagnostic Treatment for Anxiety Disorders and PTSD in South Africa: A Hybrid-Effectiveness Trial
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10892939 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $182,948 |
| NIH project number | 5K01TW012180-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892939 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals in South Africa experiencing anxiety disorders or PTSD who have limited access to traditional mental health treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe mental health conditions requiring intensive or specialized care may not benefit from this brief treatment approach.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Korte, Kristina Jo — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Korte, Kristina Jo
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.