Online therapy shows promise for refugee youth mental health
NCT ID NCT06102096
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested a culturally adapted internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program for Arabic-speaking refugee and migrant youth aged 15–29 with mild to moderate mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and insomnia. 125 participants were randomly assigned to receive the iCBT or be in a control group. The goal was to see if the online therapy could reduce symptoms and improve well-being.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- culturally adapted internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide an accessible, low-cost mental health treatment for refugee and migrant youth who face language and cultural barriers.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with 125 participants, so results may not apply to all refugee youth. The intervention requires internet access and Arabic literacy, which may limit who can benefit.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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125 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2023
- Finished
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Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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15 to 29 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 15 and 29. * A score above the cut-off 1.75 on HSCL-25 * Has a refugee or migrant background * Has a good and stable internet connection * Has access to a computer, a tablet or a smartphone * Is fluent in reading and writing Arabic * Has the ability to dedicate time to take part in the intervention for 6-10 weeks. Exclusion Criteria: * Is suffering from a severe mental illness, such as psychosis or severe depression. * Is suffering from substance abuse * Is undergoing a psychological treatment * Has a high risk of suicide
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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
Locations
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Karolinska Institutet
Stockholm, Sweden
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