AzTrials
AzTrials

DepressionGroupPM+NCT03747055

Effectiveness of Group Focused Psychosocial Support for Adults Affected by Humanitarian Crises

A study testing Group problem management plus and Enhanced treatment as usual in people with Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, run by George Washington University at 1 site in Nepal.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This is an effectiveness study of group problem management plus, a low-intensity psychological intervention, delivered in five sessions to adults affected by humanitarian crises. The current study will evaluate the effectiveness of Group Problem Management Plus (PM+). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Group problem management plus and Enhanced treatment as usual
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
611 participants
Where
1 siteNepal
Study dates
25 Nov 2018to 30 Sep 2019
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • score YES to heart-mind problems on heart-mind screener
  • score >16 on World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale

Who cannot join

  • Presence of a severe mental disorder (e.g., psychosis)
  • Alcohol use disorder (score >16 on the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Nepal1 site
  • Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) Nepal

    Biratnagar, Morang

Other trials in Nepal

About this study

Official title: Effectiveness of Group Focused Psychosocial Support to Improve the Psychosocial Well-being and Functioning of Adults Affected by Humanitarian Crisis in Nepal

This is an effectiveness study of group problem management plus, a low-intensity psychological intervention, delivered in five sessions to adults affected by humanitarian crises. The current study will evaluate the effectiveness of Group Problem Management Plus (PM+).

Read the detailed description

Counselling programmes used in many humanitarian settings are often non- specific with unknown efficacy and safety. Only a few interventions in humanitarian crises have been rigorously tested, and most studied interventions focused on posttraumatic stress disorder. Beyond posttraumatic stress disorder, individuals may have a range of problems including depression, anxiety, and not being able to do daily tasks necessary for survival and recovery. However, interventions are often limited since they tend to target only a single outcome, are usually of longer duration (8-16 sessions) or require professionals.

In low resourced settings interventions need to be short of duration, and be carried out by lay people in the communities to make them sustainable and feasible to implement on a broader scale. World Health Organization aims to develop a range of low-intensity scale-able psychological interventions that address these issues, as part of its mental health Gap Action Program. As a first step a simplified psychological intervention Problem Management Plus (PM+) has been developed. It has 4 core features that make the intervention suitable for low resourced setting exposed to adversities. First, it is brief intervention (5-sessions), delivered individually or in groups; second, it can be delivered by paraprofessionals (high school graduates with no mental health experience), using the principle of task shifting/ task sharing; third, it is designed as a trans- diagnostic intervention, addressing a range of client identified emotional (e.g. depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, general stress) and practical problems; fourth, it is designed for people in low-income country communities affected by any kind of adversity (e.g. violence, disasters), not just focusing on a single kind of adversity. Recent PM+ trails in Pakistan and Kenya have indicated PM+ to be effective in diminishing depression and anxiety and improving people's functioning and self- selected, culturally relevant outcomes. Group PM+ has been piloted in a district in Nepal, which was affected by the 2015 earthquakes. The pilot was conducted to gather information about the feasibility, safety and delivery of the intervention in the Nepali community settings; and to identify issues around training, supervision and outcomes measures. The pilot trial was successful in terms of acceptability and feasibility and detecting possible problems of compliance, delivery of the intervention, recruitment and retention. The current definitive study will evaluate the effectiveness of Group PM+ in Nepal through a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial.

Being tested
Group problem management plus, Enhanced treatment as usual
Keywords
Nepal, Psychological treatment, Task shifting, Humanitarian crisis
Medical subject headings
Depression, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Group problem management plusBehavioural

    Low intensity group psychological intervention including stress management, behavioral activation, problem solving, and strengthening social support

  • Enhanced treatment as usualBehavioural

    Also called mental health Gap Action Program-Implementation Guide

    Referral to primary care workers trained in mental health Gap Action Program Implementation Guide

Study groups in NCT03747055
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Group problem management plusExperimentalFive sessions of group low intensity psychological intervention
Receives: Behavioral: Group problem management plus
Enhanced treatment as usualActive comparatorReferral to primary health care workers trained in mental health Gap Action Programme.
Receives: Behavioral: Enhanced treatment as usual

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. General psychological distress - General Health Questionnaire

    12-item measure of general psychological distress, validated in Nepal

    Measured: 20-weeks after baseline

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Daily functioning - World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale

    12-item assessment ability to engage in daily activities, previously used in numerous studies in Nepal

    Measured: 20-weeks after baseline

  2. Depression - Patient Health Questionnaire

    9-item measure of depression symptoms, culturally and clinically validated in Nepal

    Measured: 20-weeks after baseline

  3. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist

    8-tem measure of post-traumatic stress symptoms validated for use in Nepal

    Measured: 20-weeks after baseline

  4. Cultural idiom of psychological distress - Heart-Mind Screener

    2-item locally develop psychological distress screener

    Measured: 20-weeks after baseline

  5. Perceptions of support from family, friends, and others - Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

    12-item assessment of perceptions of support from 3 sources: Family, Friends, and a Significant Other

    Measured: 20-weeks after baseline

  6. Somatic symptom burden - Somatic Symptom Scale

    8-item brief measure of somatic symptom burden

    Measured: 20-weeks after baseline

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted20 Nov 2018
  2. Study start25 Nov 2018
  3. Primary completion30 Sep 2019
  4. Study completion30 Sep 2019

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
611 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03747055
Sponsor's protocol ID
ERC.0002817 Group PM+
Acronym
GroupPM+
Status last verified
Oct 2020
First submitted
31 Oct 2018
Last updated
14 Oct 2020
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: This will be shared for full trial.

Publications

  • Bryant RA, Schafer A, Dawson KS, Anjuri D, Mulili C, Ndogoni L, Koyiet P, Sijbrandij M, Ulate J, Harper Shehadeh M, Hadzi-Pavlovic D, van Ommeren M. Effectiveness of a brief behavioural intervention on psychological distress among women with a history of gender-based violence in urban Kenya: A randomised clinical trial. PLoS Med. 2017 Aug 15;14(8):e1002371. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002371. eCollection 2017 Aug.

    PubMed 28809935
  • Khan MN, Hamdani SU, Chiumento A, Dawson K, Bryant RA, Sijbrandij M, Nazir H, Akhtar P, Masood A, Wang D, Wang E, Uddin I, van Ommeren M, Rahman A. Evaluating feasibility and acceptability of a group WHO trans-diagnostic intervention for women with common mental disorders in rural Pakistan: a cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2019 Feb;28(1):77-87. doi: 10.1017/S2045796017000336. Epub 2017 Jul 10.

    PubMed 28689511
  • Hamdani SU, Ahmed Z, Sijbrandij M, Nazir H, Masood A, Akhtar P, Amin H, Bryant RA, Dawson K, van Ommeren M, Rahman A, Minhas FA. Problem Management Plus (PM+) in the management of common mental disorders in a specialized mental healthcare facility in Pakistan; study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2017 Jun 8;11:40. doi: 10.1186/s13033-017-0147-1. eCollection 2017.

    PubMed 28603552
  • Chiumento A, Hamdani SU, Khan MN, Dawson K, Bryant RA, Sijbrandij M, Nazir H, Akhtar P, Masood A, Wang D, van Ommeren M, Rahman A. Evaluating effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a group psychological intervention using cognitive behavioural strategies for women with common mental disorders in conflict-affected rural Pakistan: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2017 Apr 26;18(1):190. doi: 10.1186/s13063-017-1905-8.

    PubMed 28441974
  • Dawson KS, Schafer A, Anjuri D, Ndogoni L, Musyoki C, Sijbrandij M, van Ommeren M, Bryant RA. Feasibility trial of a scalable psychological intervention for women affected by urban adversity and gender-based violence in Nairobi. BMC Psychiatry. 2016 Nov 18;16(1):410. doi: 10.1186/s12888-016-1117-x.

    PubMed 27863515
  • Rahman A, Riaz N, Dawson KS, Usman Hamdani S, Chiumento A, Sijbrandij M, Minhas F, Bryant RA, Saeed K, van Ommeren M, Farooq S. Problem Management Plus (PM+): pilot trial of a WHO transdiagnostic psychological intervention in conflict-affected Pakistan. World Psychiatry. 2016 Jun;15(2):182-3. doi: 10.1002/wps.20312. No abstract available.

    PubMed 27265713
  • Sijbrandij M, Bryant RA, Schafer A, Dawson KS, Anjuri D, Ndogoni L, Ulate J, Hamdani SU, van Ommeren M. Problem Management Plus (PM+) in the treatment of common mental disorders in women affected by gender-based violence and urban adversity in Kenya; study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Int J Ment Health Syst. 2016 May 31;10:44. doi: 10.1186/s13033-016-0075-5. eCollection 2016.

    PubMed 27252778
  • Sijbrandij M, Farooq S, Bryant RA, Dawson K, Hamdani SU, Chiumento A, Minhas F, Saeed K, Rahman A, van Ommeren M. Problem Management Plus (PM+) for common mental disorders in a humanitarian setting in Pakistan; study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (RCT). BMC Psychiatry. 2015 Oct 1;15:232. doi: 10.1186/s12888-015-0602-y.

    PubMed 26428314
  • Dawson KS, Bryant RA, Harper M, Kuowei Tay A, Rahman A, Schafer A, van Ommeren M. Problem Management Plus (PM+): a WHO transdiagnostic psychological intervention for common mental health problems. World Psychiatry. 2015 Oct;14(3):354-7. doi: 10.1002/wps.20255. No abstract available.

    PubMed 26407793
  • Jordans MJD, Kohrt BA, Sangraula M, Turner EL, Wang X, Shrestha P, Ghimire R, Van't Hof E, Bryant RA, Dawson KS, Marahatta K, Luitel NP, van Ommeren M. Effectiveness of Group Problem Management Plus, a brief psychological intervention for adults affected by humanitarian disasters in Nepal: A cluster randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med. 2021 Jun 17;18(6):e1003621. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003621. eCollection 2021 Jun.

    PubMed 34138875
  • Van't Hof E, Sangraula M, Luitel NP, Turner EL, Marahatta K, van Ommeren M, Shrestha P, Bryant R, Kohrt BA, Jordans MJD. Effectiveness of Group Problem Management Plus (Group-PM+) for adults affected by humanitarian crises in Nepal: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2020 Apr 19;21(1):343. doi: 10.1186/s13063-020-04263-9.

    PubMed 32307009

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Group problem management plus and Enhanced treatment as usual in people with Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, run by George Washington University at 1 site in Nepal.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Oct 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Nepal. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

General psychological distress - General Health Questionnaire (time frame: 20-weeks after baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03747055, which also lists 11 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Oct 2020.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in