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.
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