Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Outcome is stable in 35-month follow-up
Authors: | Hoving, J. L., Broekhuizen,M. L. A. & Frings-Dresen, M. H. W. |
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Year Published | 2007 |
Publication | Psychiatry Research |
Volume | 159 |
Number | 1 |
Pages | 101-108 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Background |
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that may follow major psychological trauma. The disorder is longstanding, chronic, and there is a need for effective treatment. |
Purpose |
The purpose of this study was to investigate post-treatment changes in trauma related symptoms and social function in an observational longitudinal follow-up study of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients treated with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)(p. 102) |
Setting |
The setting was a Swedish outpatient mental health center. |
Sample |
The sample included 20 subjects with chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following occupational health hazards. |
Data Collection |
Participants were assessed with psychometric scales and diagnostic interviews before treatment, directly after treatment, at eight months and at 35 months after the end of therapy. |
Control |
There was no control or comparison condition. |
Findings |
Sixty percent of the patients had improved scores on the general functional scale and a decrease of anxiety and depressive symptoms at 35 months follow-up. 83% of the participants had full working capacity at the 35 month follow up assessment. |
Conclusions |
This study found that a brief EMDR treatment had a long-lasting positive effect on PTSD in civilian adult trauma victims , but this finding should be confirmed in a long-term follow-up with a larger number of subjects. |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18336919 |
Disabilities | Emotional disturbance |
Populations | Male & Female |
Outcomes | Return to work |
NIDILRR Funded | No |
Research Design | Observational |
Peer Reviewed | Yes |