Integrated mental health treatment and employment services for refugees with PTSD: randomised controlled trial

Post-migration stressors can exacerbate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and reduce treatment effectiveness among refugees. Evidence for integrated care models in high-income settings remains limited.

To compare treatment as usual (TAU) with an add-on integrated care intervention for unemployed refugees with PTSD.

We conducted a two-arm, parallel-group superiority trial with 1:1 randomisation to TAU or TAU with an add-on integrated care intervention, delivered at a specialised out-patient clinic in Denmark (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04244864). TAU included sessions with a psychologist and physician over 8-12 months. The integrated care intervention also included structured collaboration with employment services. The primary outcome was functioning, using the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS) interview. Secondary outcomes included symptoms, quality of life and post-migration stressors. Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle, using analysis of covariance and linear regression with multiple imputations.

The study included 195 patients in treatment from 2020 to 2025. No difference was observed in WHODAS score between groups pre- to post-treatment (mean difference 0.30, 95% CI -2.40 to 3.00; P = 0.825). Similarly, no differences were found for secondary or exploratory outcomes, and overall change was limited. However, the integrated care group had a lower rate of early dropout (P = 0.042) and higher level of treatment satisfaction (P = 0.035).

Integrated care was feasible but not superior to TAU in improving outcomes for refugees with longstanding symptoms and unemployment. Future research should examine how the timing and intensity of integrated care interventions influence outcomes, including earlier implementation and adequate support for refugees with longstanding and complex needs.