METRA Trial
ACTRN12621001160820
Treatment
Not Applicable
Charities/Societies/Foundations,ELRHA
A/Prof Laura Jobson
Adolescent refugees in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) experience concerning levels of psychological distress, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. These symptoms severely affect an adolescent’s life, including long-lasting cognitive, emotional, social and academic/vocational problems. Addressing psychological concerns in the critical developmental period of adolescence is imperative. However, very few adolescent refugees in LMICs receive evidence-bas .... Read more
Afghan adolescents aged 10-19 years with elevated psychological distress. This age range aligns with our pilot work and definitions of ‘adolescent’. As in our pilot studies, elevated psychological distress is defined as >30 on the Persian Child Revised Impact of Event Scale-13 and/or >25 on the Persian Mood and Feeling Questionnaire.
Exclusion Criteria: a) high levels of suicidality, b) unmanaged psychosis/manic episodes in past month, and c) presence of head trauma/organic brain damage.
No
Sample Size 120
Min. age 10 Years
Max. age 19 Years
Sex Females
Condition category depression , posttraumatic stress disorder
Condition code Mental Health
Intervention code Treatment: Other
METRA: Module 1: Memory specificity training is a manualized training delivered over five 60-minute face-to-face sessions (3-5 times per week based on local security situations) to groups of 6-8 adolescents. It is delivered by a group facilitator. Session 1 provides psycho-education about mental health and memory. Participants practice recalling memories in response to positive and neutral cues, with support from the group facilitator. Session 2 follows the same format with further practice focu .... Read more
Control group Active
Treatment as usual (TAU): Local NGOs will provide the course of intervention that they deem appropriate (e.g., counselling, skills training). No specific instructions will be given as to what TAU should entail, except not including elements specific to METRA. TAU will be documented ensuring understanding of the duration, frequency and type of treatment administered.
Outcome: Self-reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - assessed using the Child Revised Impact of Event Scale-13 Timepoint: The primary time point is post-Module 2. Assessments will be at baseline, post-Module 1, post-Module 2 (primary timepoint) and 3-month follow-up.
Outcome: Self-reported symptoms of depression - assessed using the Mood and Feeling Questionnaire - Child Self-reportTimepoint: The primary time point is post-Module 2. Assessments will be at baseline, post-Module 1, post-Module 2 (primary timepoint) and 3-month follow-up.
yes
Anonymised participant baseline and outcome data
At the end of the trial - December 2024 No end date
All researchers
Any purpose