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An Integrative Adapt Therapy for Common Mental Health Symptoms and Adaptive Stress Amongst Rohingya, Chin, and Kachin Refugees Living in Malaysia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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Abstract

Background: This randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to compare 6-week posttreatment outcomes of an Integrative Adapt Therapy (IAT) to a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) on common mental health symptoms and adaptive capacity amongst refugees from Myanmar. Authors conducted a single-blind RCT (October 2017 -May 2019) with Chin (39.3%), Kachin (15.7%), and Rohingya (45%) refugees living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The trial included 170 participants receiving six 45-minute weekly sessions of IAT and 161 receiving a multicomponent CBT also involving six 45-minute weekly sessions. Compared to CBT, IAT showed superiority in improving mental health symptoms and adaptative stress from baseline to 6-week posttreatment. The differences in scores between IAT and CBT were modest and future studies conducted by independent research teams need to confirm the findings.

Citation

  • Tay, A. K., Mung, H. K., Miah, M. A. A., Balasundaram, S., Ventevogel, P., Badrudduza, M., ... & Silove, D. (2020). An Integrative Adapt Therapy for common mental health symptoms and adaptive stress amongst Rohingya, Chin, and Kachin refugees living in Malaysia: A randomized controlled trial.  PLoS medicine,  17(3), e1003073.
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Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What works to improve mental health of refugee children and adults?

There is very strong evidence that numerous interventions are effective in improving the mental health of child and adult refugees. Specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused interventions (TF), and psycho-education (PE) have been shown to improve symptoms related to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and/or general distress in refugee populations. Furthermore, cultural adaptations of these…

About this study

AGE: Adults

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

HOST COUNTRY: Malaysia

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: Upper Middle Income

INTERVENTION DURATION: 6 weeks

INTERVENTION: Mental health and psychosocial support services

OUTCOME AREA: Depression Reduction

OUTCOME AREA: Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Reduction

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Asia – South

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Moderate

TYPE OF STUDY: Impact evaluation

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2020

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