1
|
Abi Hana R, Abi Ramia J, Burchert S, Carswell K, Cuijpers P, Heim E, Knaevelsrud C, Noun P, Sijbrandij M, van Ommeren M, Van't Hof E, Wijnen B, Zoghbi E, El Chammay R, Smit F. Cost-Effectiveness of Digital Mental Health Versus Usual Care During Humanitarian Crises in Lebanon: Pragmatic Randomized Trial. JMIR Ment Health 2024; 11:e55544. [PMID: 38810255 PMCID: PMC11170045 DOI: 10.2196/55544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence from meta-analyses and systematic reviews that digital mental health interventions for depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders tend to be cost-effective. However, no such evidence exists for guided digital mental health care in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) facing humanitarian crises, where the needs are highest. Step-by-Step (SbS), a digital mental health intervention for depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, proved to be effective for Lebanese citizens and war-affected Syrians residing in Lebanon. Assessing the cost-effectiveness of SbS is crucial because Lebanon's overstretched health care system must prioritize cost-effective treatment options in the face of continuing humanitarian and economic crises. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of SbS in a randomized comparison with enhanced usual care (EUC). METHODS The cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted alongside a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in 2 parallel groups comparing SbS (n=614) with EUC (n=635). The primary outcome was cost (in US $ for the reference year 2019) per treatment response of depressive symptoms, defined as >50% reduction of depressive symptoms measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). The secondary outcome was cost per remission of depressive symptoms, defined as a PHQ score <5 at last follow-up (5 months post baseline). The evaluation was conducted first from the health care perspective then from the societal perspective. RESULTS Taking the health care perspective, SbS had an 80% probability to be regarded as cost-effective compared with EUC when there is a willingness to pay US $220 per additional treatment response or US $840 per additional remission. Taking the wider societal perspective, SbS had a >75% probability to be cost-saving while gaining response or remission. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this study is the first cost-effectiveness analysis based on a large randomized controlled trial (n=1249) of a guided digital mental health intervention in an LMIC. From the principal findings, 2 implications flowed, from the (1) health care perspective and (2) wider societal perspective. First, our findings suggest that SbS is associated with greater health benefits, albeit for higher costs than EUC. It is up to decision makers in health care to decide if they find the balance between additional health gains and additional health care costs acceptable. Second, as seen from the wider societal perspective, there is a substantial likelihood that SbS is not costing more than EUC but is associated with cost-savings as SBS participants become more productive, thus offsetting their health care costs. This finding may suggest to policy makers that it is in the interest of both population health and the wider Lebanese economy to implement SbS on a wide scale. In brief, SbS may offer a scalable, potentially cost-saving response to humanitarian emergencies in an LMIC. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03720769; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03720769. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/21585.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Racha Abi Hana
- Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology Department, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Jinane Abi Ramia
- Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology Department, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sebastian Burchert
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kenneth Carswell
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology Department, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- International Institute for Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Eva Heim
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philip Noun
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology Department, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mark van Ommeren
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Edith Van't Hof
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ben Wijnen
- Centre of Economic Evaluation and Machine Learning, Trimbos Institute (Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Edwina Zoghbi
- Country Office for Lebanon, World Health Organization, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rabih El Chammay
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon
- Faculty of Medicine, Psychiatry Department, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Filip Smit
- Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology Department, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Mental Health and Prevention, Trimbos Institute (Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction), Utrecht, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abi Ramia J, Abi Hana R, Noun P, Cuijpers P, Carswell K, van't Hof E, Heim E, Zoghbi E, Sijbrandij M, El Chammay R. Feasibility and uptake of a digital mental health intervention for depression among Lebanese and Syrian displaced people in Lebanon: a qualitative study. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1293187. [PMID: 38317685 PMCID: PMC10840138 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1293187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Digital interventions are increasingly regarded as a potential solution for the inaccessibility of mental health treatment across low-and-middle-income settings, especially for common mental disorders. Step-by-Step (SbS) is a digital, guided self-help intervention for depression found effective in two Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) in Lebanon. For research implementation and further scale-up, this paper reports the results of a qualitative evaluation of SbS among the Lebanese and others and displaced Syrians in Lebanon. Methods Thirty-four Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were executed with participants of the RCTs, SbS staff members, and external stakeholders. Questions garnered feedback about the feasibility, acceptability, enabling factors, and barriers to adhering to the research, implementation, and the SbS intervention. A thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo, and key themes, topics, and recommendations, on research methods and the intervention itself, were generated and reported. Results Results showed a high level of acceptability of SbS among Lebanese and Syrians and identified sub-groups for whom acceptance or use might be lower, such as older adults and people with limited access to the internet or smartphones. Furthermore, interviews identified the main enabling factors and barriers to adherence related to the research design, content, and delivery approach. Barriers related to feasibility included lengthy assessments as part of the RCTs, and mistrust related to delays in study compensations. Other common challenges were forgetting login credentials, poor internet connection, being busy and competing needs. Enabling factors and best practices included motivating participants to use the intervention through the weekly support provided by helpers, setting an oral contract for commitment, and dividing the compensations into several installments as part of the RCTs. Recommendations regarding sustainability were given. Discussion The findings show that overall, SbS is feasible, acceptable, and much needed in Lebanon among the Lebanese and Syrians. This assessment identifies reasons for low adherence to the research and the intervention and presents improvement solutions. Recommendations generated in this paper inform the upscale of SbS and the planning, design, and implementation of future digital interventions in research and service provision settings in the mental health field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinane Abi Ramia
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Racha Abi Hana
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Philip Noun
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- International Institute for Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Kenneth Carswell
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Edith van't Hof
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eva Heim
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edwina Zoghbi
- Country Office for Lebanon, World Health Organization, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rabih El Chammay
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
- Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Roos R, Witteveen AB, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Barbui C, Bryant RA, Felez-Nobrega M, Figueiredo N, Kalisch R, Haro JM, McDaid D, Mediavilla R, Melchior M, Nicaise P, Park AL, Petri-Romão P, Purgato M, van Straten A, Tedeschi F, Underhill J, Sijbrandij M. Effectiveness of a scalable, remotely delivered stepped-care intervention to reduce symptoms of psychological distress among Polish migrant workers in the Netherlands: study protocol for the RESPOND randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:801. [PMID: 37919694 PMCID: PMC10623706 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05288-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the mental health of international migrant workers (IMWs). IMWs experience multiple barriers to accessing mental health care. Two scalable interventions developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) were adapted to address some of these barriers: Doing What Matters in times of stress (DWM), a guided self-help web application, and Problem Management Plus (PM +), a brief facilitator-led program to enhance coping skills. This study examines whether DWM and PM + remotely delivered as a stepped-care programme (DWM/PM +) is effective and cost-effective in reducing psychological distress, among Polish migrant workers with psychological distress living in the Netherlands. METHODS The stepped-care DWM/PM + intervention will be tested in a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (RCT) among adult Polish migrant workers with self-reported psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale; K10 > 15.9). Participants (n = 212) will be randomized into either the intervention group that receives DWM/PM + with psychological first aid (PFA) and care-as-usual (enhanced care-as-usual or eCAU), or into the control group that receives PFA and eCAU-only (1:1 allocation ratio). Baseline, 1-week post-DWM (week 7), 1-week post-PM + (week 13), and follow-up (week 21) self-reported assessments will be conducted. The primary outcome is psychological distress, assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS). Secondary outcomes are self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), resilience, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. In a process evaluation, stakeholders' views on barriers and facilitators to the implementation of DWM/PM + will be evaluated. DISCUSSION To our knowledge, this is one of the first RCTs that combines two scalable, psychosocial WHO interventions into a stepped-care programme for migrant populations. If proven to be effective, this may bridge the mental health treatment gap IMWs experience. TRIAL REGISTRATION Dutch trial register NL9630, 20/07/2021, https://www.onderzoekmetmensen.nl/en/trial/27052.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rinske Roos
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Anke B Witteveen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - José Luis Ayuso-Mateos
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, La Princesa University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Corrado Barbui
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Richard A Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mireia Felez-Nobrega
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natasha Figueiredo
- Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Faculté de Médecine St Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Raffael Kalisch
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), Mainz, Germany
- Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), Neuroimaging Center (NIC), Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Josep Maria Haro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David McDaid
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Roberto Mediavilla
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, La Princesa University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Melchior
- Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Faculté de Médecine St Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Pablo Nicaise
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - A-La Park
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | | | - Marianna Purgato
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Annemieke van Straten
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Federico Tedeschi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology and WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Purgato M, Prina E, Ceccarelli C, Cadorin C, Abdulmalik JO, Amaddeo F, Arcari L, Churchill R, Jordans MJ, Lund C, Papola D, Uphoff E, van Ginneken N, Tol WA, Barbui C. Primary-level and community worker interventions for the prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of well-being in low- and middle-income countries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 10:CD014722. [PMID: 37873968 PMCID: PMC10594594 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd014722.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a significant research gap in the field of universal, selective, and indicated prevention interventions for mental health promotion and the prevention of mental disorders. Barriers to closing the research gap include scarcity of skilled human resources, large inequities in resource distribution and utilization, and stigma. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of delivery by primary workers of interventions for the promotion of mental health and universal prevention, and for the selective and indicated prevention of mental disorders or symptoms of mental illness in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To examine the impact of intervention delivery by primary workers on resource use and costs. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Global Index Medicus, PsycInfo, WHO ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to 29 November 2021. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of primary-level and/or community health worker interventions for promoting mental health and/or preventing mental disorders versus any control conditions in adults and children in LMICs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Standardized mean differences (SMD) or mean differences (MD) were used for continuous outcomes, and risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous data, using a random-effects model. We analyzed data at 0 to 1, 1 to 6, and 7 to 24 months post-intervention. For SMDs, 0.20 to 0.49 represented small, 0.50 to 0.79 moderate, and ≥ 0.80 large clinical effects. We evaluated the risk of bias (RoB) using Cochrane RoB2. MAIN RESULTS Description of studies We identified 113 studies with 32,992 participants (97 RCTs, 19,570 participants in meta-analyses) for inclusion. Nineteen RCTs were conducted in low-income countries, 27 in low-middle-income countries, 2 in middle-income countries, 58 in upper-middle-income countries and 7 in mixed settings. Eighty-three RCTs included adults and 30 RCTs included children. Cadres of primary-level workers employed primary care health workers (38 studies), community workers (71 studies), both (2 studies), and not reported (2 studies). Interventions were universal prevention/promotion in 22 studies, selective in 36, and indicated prevention in 55 RCTs. Risk of bias The most common concerns over risk of bias were performance bias, attrition bias, and reporting bias. Intervention effects 'Probably', 'may', or 'uncertain' indicates 'moderate-', 'low-', or 'very low-'certainty evidence. *Certainty of the evidence (using GRADE) was assessed at 0 to 1 month post-intervention as specified in the review protocol. In the abstract, we did not report results for outcomes for which evidence was missing or very uncertain. Adults Promotion/universal prevention, compared to usual care: - probably slightly reduced anxiety symptoms (MD -0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.27 to -0.01; 1 trial, 158 participants) - may slightly reduce distress/PTSD symptoms (SMD -0.24, 95% CI -0.41 to -0.08; 4 trials, 722 participants) Selective prevention, compared to usual care: - probably slightly reduced depressive symptoms (SMD -0.69, 95% CI -1.08 to -0.30; 4 trials, 223 participants) Indicated prevention, compared to usual care: - may reduce adverse events (1 trial, 547 participants) - probably slightly reduced functional impairment (SMD -0.12, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.15; 4 trials, 663 participants) Children Promotion/universal prevention, compared to usual care: - may improve the quality of life (SMD -0.25, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.11; 2 trials, 803 participants) - may reduce adverse events (1 trial, 694 participants) - may slightly reduce depressive symptoms (MD -3.04, 95% CI -6 to -0.08; 1 trial, 160 participants) - may slightly reduce anxiety symptoms (MD -2.27, 95% CI -3.13 to -1.41; 1 trial, 183 participants) Selective prevention, compared to usual care: - probably slightly reduced depressive symptoms (SMD 0, 95% CI -0.16 to -0.15; 2 trials, 638 participants) - may slightly reduce anxiety symptoms (MD 4.50, 95% CI -12.05 to 21.05; 1 trial, 28 participants) - probably slightly reduced distress/PTSD symptoms (MD -2.14, 95% CI -3.77 to -0.51; 1 trial, 159 participants) Indicated prevention, compared to usual care: - decreased slightly functional impairment (SMD -0.29, 95% CI -0.47 to -0.10; 2 trials, 448 participants) - decreased slightly depressive symptoms (SMD -0.18, 95% CI -0.32 to -0.04; 4 trials, 771 participants) - may slightly reduce distress/PTSD symptoms (SMD 0.24, 95% CI -1.28 to 1.76; 2 trials, 448 participants). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The evidence indicated that prevention interventions delivered through primary workers - a form of task-shifting - may improve mental health outcomes. Certainty in the evidence was influenced by the risk of bias and by substantial levels of heterogeneity. A supportive network of infrastructure and research would enhance and reinforce this delivery modality across LMICs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Purgato
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Cochrane Global Mental Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Eleonora Prina
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Caterina Ceccarelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Camilla Cadorin
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Amaddeo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Rachel Churchill
- Cochrane Common Mental Disorders, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Mark Jd Jordans
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Crick Lund
- King's Global Health Institute, Centre for Global Mental Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Davide Papola
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Cochrane Global Mental Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Eleonora Uphoff
- Cochrane Common Mental Disorders, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Nadja van Ginneken
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Wietse Anton Tol
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Corrado Barbui
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Cochrane Global Mental Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cuijpers P, Heim E, Ramia JA, Burchert S, Carswell K, Cornelisz I, Knaevelsrud C, Noun P, van Klaveren C, van’t Hof E, Zoghbi E, van Ommeren M, El Chammay R. Guided digital health intervention for depression in Lebanon: randomised trial. EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH 2022; 25:e34-e40. [PMID: 35577536 PMCID: PMC9811068 DOI: 10.1136/ebmental-2021-300416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most people with mental disorders in communities exposed to adversity in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not receive effective care. Digital mental health interventions are scalable when digital access is adequate, and can be safely delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of a new WHO-guided digital mental health intervention, Step-by-Step, supported by a non-specialist helper in Lebanon, in the context of concurring economic, humanitarian and political crises, a large industrial disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We conducted a single-blind, two-arm pragmatic randomised trial, comparing guided Step-by-Step with enhanced care as usual (ECAU) among people suffering from depression and impaired functioning. Primary outcomes were depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)) and impaired functioning (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule-12 (WHODAS)) at post-treatment. FINDINGS 680 people with depression (PHQ-9>10) and impaired functioning (WHODAS>16) were randomised to Step-by-Step or ECAU. Intention-to-treat analyses showed effects on depression (standardised mean differences, SMD: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.97), impaired functioning (SMD: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.65), post-traumatic stress (SMD: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.79), anxiety (SMD: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.99), subjective well-being (SMD: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.62) and self-identified personal problems (SMD: 0.56; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.83). Significant effects on all outcomes were retained at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Guided digital mental health interventions can be effective in the treatment of depression in communities exposed to adversities in LMICs, although some uncertainty remains because of high attrition. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Guided digital mental health interventions should be considered for implementation in LMICs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03720769.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,Babeș-Bolyai University, International Institute for Psychotherapy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Eva Heim
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland,Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jinane Abi Ramia
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sebastian Burchert
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Ilja Cornelisz
- Department of Educational, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Philip Noun
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chris van Klaveren
- Department of Educational, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Edith van’t Hof
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Rabih El Chammay
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon,Psychiatry Department, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mediavilla R, McGreevy KR, Felez-Nobrega M, Monistrol-Mula A, Bravo-Ortiz MF, Bayón C, Rodríguez-Vega B, Nicaise P, Delaire A, Sijbrandij M, Witteveen AB, Purgato M, Barbui C, Tedeschi F, Melchior M, van der Waerden J, McDaid D, Park AL, Kalisch R, Petri-Romão P, Underhill J, Bryant RA, Haro JM, Ayuso-Mateos JL. Effectiveness of a stepped-care programme of internet-based psychological interventions for healthcare workers with psychological distress: Study protocol for the RESPOND healthcare workers randomised controlled trial. Digit Health 2022; 8:20552076221129084. [PMID: 36211795 PMCID: PMC9537484 DOI: 10.1177/20552076221129084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has challenged health services worldwide, with a worsening of healthcare workers' mental health within initial pandemic hotspots. In early 2022, the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly around the world. This study explores the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a stepped-care programme of scalable, internet-based psychological interventions for distressed health workers on self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms. Methods We present the study protocol for a multicentre (two sites), parallel-group (1:1 allocation ratio), analyst-blinded, superiority, randomised controlled trial. Healthcare workers with psychological distress will be allocated either to care as usual only or to care as usual plus a stepped-care programme that includes two scalable psychological interventions developed by the World Health Organization: A guided self-help stress management guide (Doing What Matters in Times of Stress) and a five-session cognitive behavioural intervention (Problem Management Plus). All participants will receive a single-session emotional support intervention, namely psychological first aid. We will include 212 participants. An intention-to-treat analysis using linear mixed models will be conducted to explore the programme's effect on anxiety and depression symptoms, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire - Anxiety and Depression Scale summary score at 21 weeks from baseline. Secondary outcomes include post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, resilience, quality of life, cost impact and cost-effectiveness. Conclusions This study is the first randomised trial that combines two World Health Organization psychological interventions tailored for health workers into one stepped-care programme. Results will inform occupational and mental health prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies. Registration details ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04980326.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Mediavilla
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
(UAM), Madrid, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM),
Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kerry R McGreevy
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
(UAM), Madrid, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM),
Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain,Kerry R. McGreevy, Department of
Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Arzobispo Morcillo, 4, 28029,
Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mireia Felez-Nobrega
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM),
Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain,Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de
Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Monistrol-Mula
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de
Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María-Fe Bravo-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
(UAM), Madrid, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM),
Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain,Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Mental Health,
Hospital Univeristario La Paz, Madrid, Spain,Instituto de Investigación del Hospital
Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Bayón
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
(UAM), Madrid, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM),
Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain,Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Mental Health,
Hospital Univeristario La Paz, Madrid, Spain,Instituto de Investigación del Hospital
Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Rodríguez-Vega
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
(UAM), Madrid, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM),
Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain,Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology and Mental Health,
Hospital Univeristario La Paz, Madrid, Spain,Instituto de Investigación del Hospital
Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Nicaise
- Institute of Health & Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de
Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Audrey Delaire
- Institute of Health & Society (IRSS), Université Catholique de
Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, WHO Collaborating
Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam
Public Health Institute, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anke B. Witteveen
- Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, WHO Collaborating
Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam
Public Health Institute, Vrije Universiteit
Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marianna Purgato
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health
and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement
Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health
and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement
Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Tedeschi
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health
and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement
Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Melchior
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé
Publique (IPLESP), Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Faculté de
Médecine St Antoine, , Paris, France
| | - Judith van der Waerden
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé
Publique (IPLESP), Equipe de Recherche en Epidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Faculté de
Médecine St Antoine, , Paris, France
| | - David McDaid
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political
Science, London, UK
| | - A-La Park
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political
Science, London, UK
| | - Raffael Kalisch
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research
(LIR), Mainz, Germany,Neuroimaging Center (NIC), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience
(FTN), Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | - Richard A. Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New
South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Josep Maria Haro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM),
Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain,Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de
Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luis Ayuso-Mateos
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
(UAM), Madrid, Spain,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM),
Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain,Department of Psychiatry, La Princesa University
Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa (IIS-Princesa),
Madrid, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Effects of a WHO-guided digital health intervention for depression in Syrian refugees in Lebanon: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1004025. [PMID: 35737665 PMCID: PMC9223343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most displaced people with mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries do not receive effective care, and their access to care has deteriorated during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Digital mental health interventions are scalable when digital access is adequate, and they can be safely delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined whether a new WHO-guided digital mental health intervention, Step-by-Step, in which participants were supported by a nonspecialist helper, was effective in reducing depression among displaced people in Lebanon. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a single-blind, 2-arm pragmatic randomized clinical trial, comparing guided Step-by-Step with enhanced care as usual (ECAU) among displaced Syrians suffering from depression and impaired functioning in Lebanon. Primary outcomes were depression (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9) and impaired functioning (WHO Disability Assessment Schedule-12, WHODAS) at posttreatment. Secondary outcomes included subjective well-being, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and self-described problems. A total of 569 displaced people from Syria with depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) and impaired functioning (WHODAS > 16) were randomized to Step-by-Step (N = 283; lost to follow-up: N = 167) or ECAU (N = 286; lost to follow-up: 133). Participants were considered to be lost to follow-up when they did not fill in the outcome measures at posttest or follow-up. Recruitment started on December 9, 2019 and was completed on July 9, 2020. The last follow-up assessments were collected in December 2020. The study team had access to the online platform, where they could see treatment arm assignment for each participant. All questionnaires were completed by participants online. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses showed intervention effects on depression (standardized mean differences [SMDs]: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.26; 0.70; p < 0.001), impaired functioning (SMD: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.14; 0.56; p < 0.001), post-traumatic stress (SMD: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.16; 0.56; p < 0.001), anxiety (SMD: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.24; 0.68; p < 0.001), subjective well-being (SMD: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.26; 0.68; p < 0.001), and self-identified personal problems (SMD: 0.49; 95% CI 0.28; 0.70; p < 0.001). Significant effects on all outcomes were maintained at 3 months follow-up. During the trial, one serious adverse event occurred, unrelated to the intervention. The main limitation of the current trial is the high dropout rate. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found that a guided, digital intervention was effective in reducing depression in displaced people in Lebanon. The guided WHO Step-by-Step intervention we examined should be made available to communities of displaced people that have digital access. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03720769.
Collapse
|
8
|
Chang TFH, Ley BL, Ramburn TT, Srinivasan S, Hariri S, Purandare P, Subramaniam B. Online Isha Upa Yoga for student mental health and well-being during COVID-19: A randomized control trial. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2022; 14:1408-1428. [PMID: 35064741 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
College students experienced increased stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluated the effect of brief online Isha Upa Yoga modules on undergraduates' mental health and well-being. Randomized control trial (RCT) with waitlist control crossover (N = 679). The intervention group was instructed to learn and practice the modules daily for 12 weeks. At the end of the 4-week RCT, the control group was instructed to learn and practice the modules for the remaining 8 weeks. Primary outcomes included stress and well-being. Secondary outcomes included anxiety, depression, resilience, positive affect and negative affect. Linear mixed-effects models were used for analyses. Isha Upa Yoga significantly reduced stress (Group [intervention, control] × Time [baseline, Week 4] interaction, p = .009, d = .27) and increased well-being (Group × Time interaction p = .002, d = .32). By the study's end, the intervention and control groups experienced significant improvements in well-being (p < .001, p < .001), stress (p < .001, p < .001), anxiety (p < .001, p < .001), depression (p < .001, p = .004), positive affect (p = .04, p < .001), and negative affect (p < .001, p < .001). Online Isha Upa Yoga shows promise for mitigating the pandemic's negative impact on undergraduates' mental health and improving their well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tracy F H Chang
- School of Management and Labor Relations, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Barbara L Ley
- Departments of Women & Gender Studies and Communication, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Triya T Ramburn
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Sepideh Hariri
- Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Balachundhar Subramaniam
- Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Heim E, Ramia JA, Hana RA, Burchert S, Carswell K, Cornelisz I, Cuijpers P, El Chammay R, Noun P, van Klaveren C, van Ommeren M, Zoghbi E, van't Hof E. Step-by-step: Feasibility randomised controlled trial of a mobile-based intervention for depression among populations affected by adversity in Lebanon. Internet Interv 2021; 24:100380. [PMID: 33747798 PMCID: PMC7967003 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2021.100380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND E-mental health interventions may help to bridge the mental health treatment gap. Evidence on their effectiveness is compelling in high-income countries. Not enough evidence has been generated on their use with communities affected by adversity in low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO), the National Mental Health Programme (NMMP) at Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in Lebanon and other partners have adapted a WHO intervention called Step-by-Step for use with Lebanese and displaced people living in Lebanon. Step-by-Step is a minimally guided, internet-based intervention for adults with depression. In this study, a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) and a qualitative process evaluation were conducted to explore the feasibility and the acceptability of the research methods, and the intervention, in preparation for two fully powered trials to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Step-by-Step in Lebanon. METHOD Participants were recruited through social media. Inclusion criteria were: being able to understand and speak Arabic or English; access to an internet connected device; aged over 18; living in Lebanon; scores above cut-off on the Patient Health Questionnaire and the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or enhanced care as usual. They completed post-assessments eight weeks after baseline, and follow-up assessments another three months later. Primary outcomes were depression and level of functioning, secondary outcomes were anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and well-being. Qualitative interviews were conducted to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the research procedures and the intervention. RESULTS A total of N = 138 participants, including 33 Syrians, were recruited and randomised into two equal groups. The dropout rate was higher in the control group (73% post- and 82% follow-up assessment) than in the intervention group (63% post- and 72% follow-up assessment). The intervention was perceived as relevant, acceptable and beneficial to those who completed it. Suggestions were made to further adapt the content and to make the intervention more engaging. Statistical analyses were conducted despite the small sample size. Complete cases analysis showed a statistically significant symptom reduction in depression, anxiety, disability, and post-traumatic stress, and statistically significant improvement in well-being and functioning. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed non-significant effects. CONCLUSION The research design, methods and procedures are feasible and acceptable in the context of Lebanon and can be applied in the RCTs. Preliminary findings suggest that Step-by-Step may be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and improving functioning and well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Heim
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland,Corresponding author at: University of Zurich, Department of Psychology, Binzmuehlestrasse 14/17, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Jinane Abi Ramia
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon,Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Racha Abi Hana
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon,Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Burchert
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Kenneth Carswell
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ilja Cornelisz
- Amsterdam Center for Learning Analytics, Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rabih El Chammay
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon,Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Philip Noun
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Chris van Klaveren
- Amsterdam Center for Learning Analytics, Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mark van Ommeren
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Edwina Zoghbi
- Country Office for Lebanon, World Health Organization, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Edith van't Hof
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shala M, Morina N, Burchert S, Cerga-Pashoja A, Knaevelsrud C, Maercker A, Heim E. Cultural adaptation of Hap-pas-Hapi, an internet and mobile-based intervention for the treatment of psychological distress among Albanian migrants in Switzerland and Germany. Internet Interv 2020; 21:100339. [PMID: 32983906 PMCID: PMC7495109 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2020.100339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internet- and mobile-based mental health interventions have the potential to narrow the treatment gap in ethnic groups. Little evidence exists on the cultural adaptation of such interventions. Cultural adaptation of evidence-based interventions distinguishes between surface and deep structure adaptation. Surface refers to matching materials (e.g., illustrations, language) or methods of treatment delivery to the target population, whereas deep structure adaptation considers cultural concepts of distress (CCD). So far, CCD have only been considered to a limited extent in cultural adaptation of psychological interventions, and there is a lack of well documented adaptation procedures. AIMS With a cross-disciplinary and mixed-method approach, following a new conceptual framework for cultural adaptation of scalable psychological interventions, this study aimed to develop both surface and deep structure adaptations of an internet- and mobile-based intervention called Hap-pas-Hapi for the treatment of psychological distress among Albanian migrants in Switzerland and Germany. METHODS A qualitative ethnopsychological study was conducted to examine the target group's CCD. Focus group discussions, an online survey, and individual key informant interviews were utilised to evaluate the original intervention, adaptation drafts and the final adapted intervention. A reporting system was developed to support the decision-making process and to report all adaptations in a transparent and replicable way. RESULTS The ongoing involvement of target population key informants provided valuable feedback for the development of a more person-centred intervention, which might enhance treatment acceptance, motivation and adherence. DISCUSSION This study provides empirical and theory-based considerations and suggestions for future implementation that may foster acceptability and effectiveness of culturally adapted evidence-based interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirëlinda Shala
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Naser Morina
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Burchert
- Division of Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Arlinda Cerga-Pashoja
- Faculty of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Division of Clinical-Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Maercker
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eva Heim
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|