Depression breakthrough? zimbabwe trial combines therapy and pills
NCT ID NCT06384209
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study in Zimbabwe tests whether adding antidepressants (fluoxetine or sertraline) to a proven talk therapy program (Friendship Bench) works better than talk therapy alone for adults with moderate to severe depression. About 296 participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The goal is to see if the combination leads to greater improvement in depression scores and to understand how nurses can prescribe these medications in primary care.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Fluoxetine (or Sertraline for breastfeeding women)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could provide a more effective, scalable treatment for depression in low-resource settings by combining talk therapy with medication.
What could go wrong
This is a relatively small trial (296 people) in one country, so results may not apply everywhere. Adding medication also brings risks like side effects and the need for ongoing management.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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University of Zimbabwe
RECRUITINGHarare, Zimbabwe
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••