Narrative Exposure Therapy for Ukrainian refugees in Norway
Official title: Styrkende Narrativ: Hjelp Til Selvhjelp for Ukrainske Flyktninger / Empowering Narratives: Help to Self-help to Ukrainian Refugees
Run by Kristiania University College · NCT07062042 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Kristiania University College Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Oslo) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 20, 2025 |
| Study ends | April 20, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | August 17, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07062042 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.