Evaluation of a combination therapy with psychological short therapy and antidepressants for the treatment of depression in Zimbabwe.
Summary description of the study
Mental illnesses such as depression are increasing even in resource-poor countries. It is the most common mental illness in Africa. Although one in four patients in primary care suffers from depression, up to 90% of them remain untreated. This is partly due to the lack of specialists. The research project collaborates with the 'Friendship Bench.' This locally developed program in Zimbabwe aims to close this gap in care. To improve treatment outcomes for depression, we want to combine the psychological short intervention of the 'Friendship Bench' with antidepressants. These will be administered by trained health personnel without specialization in psychiatry. Our clinical study compares the psychological short intervention of the 'Friendship Bench' with the 'Friendship Bench' plus antidepressants and examines how many individuals still suffer from depression after four months. Our research follows international treatment guidelines. Zimbabwe is one of the WHO target countries under its special initiative to improve access to mental health care. Accordingly, our project is conducted in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Zimbabwe and the WHO. This ensures that our results achieve the necessary long-term impact.
(BASEC)
Intervention under investigation
We are investigating the 'Friendship Bench Plus Intervention.' This is a psychological short intervention provided by lay therapists consisting of six psychotherapy sessions plus antidepressants prescribed by nursing professionals.
(BASEC)
Disease under investigation
Moderate to severe depression.
(BASEC)
We include adults (≥18 years) with moderate to severe depression who are seeking treatment at a health center in Harare and have not yet been treated for their depression. (BASEC)
Exclusion criteria
Individuals with severe physical comorbidities, with psychotic symptoms or high suicide risk, as well as pregnant women will be excluded. (BASEC)
Trial sites
Bern, Other
(BASEC)
Harare, Simbabwe
(BASEC)
Sponsor
Universität Bern
(BASEC)
Contact
Contact Person Switzerland
Prof Monika Müller, MD PhD
+41 31 930 91 11
monika_mueller@cluttergmx.chUniversitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der UPD Bern (Gastdozentin, Korrespondenz bitte an Privatadresse Monika Müller, Stürlerstrasse 5, 3006 Bern)
(BASEC)
Scientific Information
not available
Name of the authorising ethics committee (for multicentre studies, only the lead committee)
Ethics Committee Bern
(BASEC)
Date of authorisation
19.03.2025
(BASEC)
ICTRP Trial ID
not available
Official title (approved by ethics committee)
Combining antidepressants with psychological therapy to improve depression outcome in Zimba-bwe - the Friendship Bench Plus trial (FB+Trial) (BASEC)
Academic title
not available
Public title
not available
Disease under investigation
not available
Intervention under investigation
not available
Type of trial
not available
Trial design
not available
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
not available
not available
Primary and secondary end points
not available
not available
Registration date
not available
Incorporation of the first participant
not available
Secondary sponsors
not available
Additional contacts
not available
Secondary trial IDs
not available
Results-Individual Participant Data (IPD)
not available
Further information on the trial
not available
Results of the trial
Results summary
not available
Link to the results in the primary register
not available