Narrative Exposure Therapy for Ukrainian refugees in Norway
Styrkende Narrativ: Hjelp Til Selvhjelp for Ukrainske Flyktninger / Empowering Narratives: Help to Self-help to Ukrainian Refugees
This project will try Narrative Exposure Therapy delivered by trained Ukrainian health workers to see if it reduces PTSD and depression symptoms in Ukrainian refugees living in Norway.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Kristiania University College Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Oslo) |
| Trial ID | NCT07062042 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The protocol trains Ukrainian health professionals in Norway via a standardized digital NET course and then uses a pretest–posttest randomized controlled design where trained clinicians provide NET under supervision. Ukrainian refugees who arrived after 24 February 2022 will be screened and complete validated questionnaires during therapist-led interviews before and after treatment. All data, session notes, and narratives will be stored securely on Norwegian servers with anonymized coding and a link key kept separately. The work aims both to measure symptom change and to build practical NET capacity among Ukrainian providers.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) who are Ukrainian refugees residing in Norway, arrived after 24 February 2022, who report PTSD symptoms or have a history of traumatic events and who consent to participate.
Not a fit: Individuals with psychotic-spectrum disorders, diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders, those already in ongoing trauma-focused psychological treatment, or those who decline required study procedures are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce PTSD and depression symptoms among Ukrainian refugees and increase the number of local clinicians able to provide trauma-focused care.
How similar studies have performed: Narrative Exposure Therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in prior trials for reducing PTSD in survivors of organized violence and war, and training local providers in NET has been implemented successfully in other humanitarian settings.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Ukrainian refugee residing in Norway. * Arrival in Norway after 24 February 2022. * Minimum 18 years old * Provided informed consent for participation. * Classified as having PTSD symptoms (ITQ) OR reported traumatic experience (LEC-5) OR present PTSD comorbidities (PHQ-9, Shut-D). Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis, history, or scores compatible with the psychotic spectrum * Diagnostic of neurodevelopmental disorders * Current participation in ongoing trauma-focused psychological treatment (e.g., therapy for PTSD). * Declining consent for mandatory elements of the study (e.g., participation in screening or treatment delivery).
Where this trial is running
Oslo
- Kristinia University of Applied Sciences — Oslo, Norway (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Vanessa Nolasco Ferreira, Associate Professor, PhD — Kristiania University of Applied Sciences
- Study coordinator: Vanessa Nolasco Ferreira, Associate Professor, PhD
- Email: vanessanolasco.ferreira@kristiania.no
- Phone: +4741231069
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.