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Mind the gap: a nested randomised pilot study of culturally inclusive, internet-delivered prolonged exposure for PTSD among immigrants.

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Title: Mind the gap: a nested randomised pilot study of culturally inclusive, internet-delivered prolonged exposure for PTSD among immigrants.
Authors: Molander O; Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden., Kolaas K; Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden., Jayaram-Lindström N; Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden., Pontén M; Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden., Särnholm J; Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.; Department of Medicine, Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA., Bragesjö M; Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden.
Source: European journal of psychotraumatology [Eur J Psychotraumatol] 2025 Dec; Vol. 16 (1), pp. 2520637. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Jun 30.
Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Taylor & Francis Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101559025 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2000-8066 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20008066 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Eur J Psychotraumatol Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: 2016- : Philadelphia, PA : Taylor & Francis
Original Publication: [Järfälla] : [Amsterdam] : Co-action Pub. ; The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, [2010]-
MeSH Terms: Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*/therapy , Emigrants and Immigrants*/psychology , Implosive Therapy*/methods , Internet-Based Intervention*, Humans ; Pilot Projects ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Sweden ; Internet ; Feasibility Studies ; Culturally Competent Care
Abstract: Background: PTSD is disproportionately prevalent among immigrants in Sweden, yet access to evidence-based treatments remains limited, especially for those facing language barriers. Internet-delivered prolonged exposure (I-PE) may help overcome these challenges, but its feasibility and effectiveness in diverse populations remain underexplored. Objective: This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a culturally inclusive, therapist-guided I-PE programme in easy-to-read English for immigrants with PTSD. Method : A nested pilot study within an ongoing RCT randomised 30 participants to I-PE or a waitlist control. The intervention incorporated simplified language, diverse visual representations, and a user-friendly platform. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, adherence, and retention. Acceptability was assessed through satisfaction, adverse effects, and cultural appropriateness, while preliminary efficacy was evaluated via PTSD symptom severity and secondary measures of depression. Results: Recruitment was completed in six weeks, with moderate to high retention. Adherence was strong, with 63% completing at least five I-PE modules. Participants rated the intervention as highly acceptable, with no major cultural barriers. The easy-to-read English format was well received, with no reported linguistic accessibility issues. No serious adverse events were reported. PTSD symptoms significantly decreased in the I-PE group (Cohen's d  = 1.45; p  < .001), with moderate reductions in depression (Cohen's d  = .80; p  < .01). Conclusions: The findings support the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally inclusive, therapist-guided I-PE programme for PTSD among immigrants. The participants perceived the I-PE as helpful, trustworthy, and easy to use, with no suggestions for further cultural modifications or reports of cultural inappropriateness. However, the sample's relatively high English proficiency and education may limit generalizability to other groups who have migrated to Sweden. A full-scale randomised controlled trial is needed to assess clinical and cost-effectiveness, as well as implementation across more diverse immigrant populations. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06193161..
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Contributed Indexing: Keywords: I-PE; PTSD; TEPT; cuidado con la brecha; cultural inclusive; exposición prolongada por Internet; immigrants; inclusión cultural; internet-CBT; mind the gap; personas migrantes; terapia cognitivo-conductual en línea
Local Abstract: [plain-language-summary] The nested pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of culturally inclusive, therapist-guided internet-delivered prolonged exposure therapy for immigrants with PTSD, using an easy-to-read English format, which was well understood and accessible to participants.The intervention was well-received, with 63% of participants completing core treatment components and reporting clinically significant PTSD symptom reductions, while no participants found the material culturally inappropriate and weekly monitoring ensured safety and adherence.Some participants experienced temporary distress increases, and two reported suicidal ideations, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and tailored support in exposure-based digital treatments.
Molecular Sequence: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06193161
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250630 Date Completed: 20250630 Latest Revision: 20250703
Update Code: 20250703
PubMed Central ID: PMC12210403
DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2025.2520637
PMID: 40587567
Database: MEDLINE
Description
Abstract:Background: PTSD is disproportionately prevalent among immigrants in Sweden, yet access to evidence-based treatments remains limited, especially for those facing language barriers. Internet-delivered prolonged exposure (I-PE) may help overcome these challenges, but its feasibility and effectiveness in diverse populations remain underexplored. Objective: This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a culturally inclusive, therapist-guided I-PE programme in easy-to-read English for immigrants with PTSD. Method : A nested pilot study within an ongoing RCT randomised 30 participants to I-PE or a waitlist control. The intervention incorporated simplified language, diverse visual representations, and a user-friendly platform. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, adherence, and retention. Acceptability was assessed through satisfaction, adverse effects, and cultural appropriateness, while preliminary efficacy was evaluated via PTSD symptom severity and secondary measures of depression. Results: Recruitment was completed in six weeks, with moderate to high retention. Adherence was strong, with 63% completing at least five I-PE modules. Participants rated the intervention as highly acceptable, with no major cultural barriers. The easy-to-read English format was well received, with no reported linguistic accessibility issues. No serious adverse events were reported. PTSD symptoms significantly decreased in the I-PE group (Cohen's d  = 1.45; p  &lt; .001), with moderate reductions in depression (Cohen's d  = .80; p  &lt; .01). Conclusions: The findings support the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally inclusive, therapist-guided I-PE programme for PTSD among immigrants. The participants perceived the I-PE as helpful, trustworthy, and easy to use, with no suggestions for further cultural modifications or reports of cultural inappropriateness. However, the sample's relatively high English proficiency and education may limit generalizability to other groups who have migrated to Sweden. A full-scale randomised controlled trial is needed to assess clinical and cost-effectiveness, as well as implementation across more diverse immigrant populations. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06193161..
ISSN:2000-8066
DOI:10.1080/20008066.2025.2520637