RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A network meta-analysis of psychosocial interventions for refugees and asylum seekers with PTSD
JF BMJ Global Health
JO BMJ Global Health
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e005029
DO 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005029
VO 6
IS 6
A1 Giulia Turrini
A1 Federico Tedeschi
A1 Pim Cuijpers
A1 Cinzia Del Giovane
A1 Ahlke Kip
A1 Nexhmedin Morina
A1 Michela Nosè
A1 Giovanni Ostuzzi
A1 Marianna Purgato
A1 Chiara Ricciardi
A1 Marit Sijbrandij
A1 Wietse Tol
A1 Corrado Barbui
YR 2021
UL http://gh.bmj.com/content/6/6/e005029.abstract
AB Introduction Refugees and asylum seekers are vulnerable to common mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Using a network meta-analysis (NMA) approach, the present systematic review compared and ranked psychosocial interventions for the treatment of PTSD in adult refugees and asylum seekers.Methods Randomised studies of psychosocial interventions for adult refugees and asylum seekers with PTSD were systematically identified. PTSD symptoms at postintervention was the primary outcome. Standardised mean differences (SMDs) and ORs were pooled using pairwise and NMA. Study quality was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) tool, and certainty of evidence was assessed through the Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis application.Results A total of 23 studies with 2308 participants were included. Sixteen studies were conducted in high-income countries, and seven in low-income or middle-income countries. Most studies were at low risk of bias according to the Cochrane RoB tool. NMA on PTSD symptoms showed that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (SMD=−1.41; 95% CI −2.43 to −0.38) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) (SMD=−1.30; 95% CI −2.40 to −0.20) were significantly more effective than waitlist (WL). CBT was also associated with a higher decrease in PTSD symptoms than treatment as usual (TAU) (SMD −1.51; 95% CI −2.67 to −0.36). For all other interventions, the difference with WL and TAU was not significant. CBT and EMDR ranked best according to the mean surface under the cumulative ranking. Regarding acceptability, no intervention had less dropouts than inactive interventions.Conclusion CBT and EMDR appeared to have the greatest effects in reducing PTSD symptoms in asylum seekers and refugees. This evidence should be considered in guidelines and implementation packages to facilitate dissemination and uptake in refugee settings.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information.