Towards Individual Prediction of Treatment Success for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
In war-affected countries, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents a major mental health problem.  PTSD symptoms are influenced not only by past traumatic experiences but also by current living conditions and social circumstances. Although trauma-focused psychotherapy is an effective treatment for many people, it does not work equally well for everyone. Finding the treatment that best fits each person's needs is especially important in settings where mental health resources are limited.

The randomized clinical trial TRAUMA-FIT investigates how to improve PTSD care in Northern Uganda by comparing two evidence-based psychological treatments that can be delivered by trained local health workers; Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) and an adapted version of Problem Management Plus (ePM+). NET focuses on the structured processing and integration of traumatic memories, while ePM+ strengthens problem-solving skills and coping strategies to help manage current stressors.

Using data-driven methods, the project aims to identify which treatment is most likely to benefit each individual. The findings will help advance more personalized mental health care and support the effective use of limited resources in post-conflict settings.
The project is conducted in cooperation with Bielefeld University, University of Zurich, and vivo Uganda.
It has been preregistered at www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN50726317