EMDR treatment for children with PTSD: Results of a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine the efficacy of EMDR treatment for children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared with untreated children in a waiting list control group (WLC) participating in a randomized controlled superiority trial (RCT). Thirty-three 6-16-year-old children with a DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD were randomly assigned to eight weekly EMDR sessions or the WLC group. The Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Scale for Children (PTSS-C scale) was used in interviews with children to evaluate their symptoms and outcome. Post-treatment scores of the EMDR group were significantly lower than the WLC indicating improvement in total PTSS-C scores, PTSD-related symptom scale, and the subscales re-experiencing and avoidance among subjects in the EMDR group, while untreated children improved in PTSD-non-related symptom scale. The improvement in re-experiencing symptoms proved to be the most significant between-group difference over time. The results of the present exploratory study including a limited number of children with PTSD are encouraging and warrant further controlled studies of larger samples of children suffering from PTSD.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for treating psychological disturbances in Taiwanese adolescents who experienced Typhoon Morakot

“…In addition, studies have shown that EMDR is superior to psychoeducation [17], and produced significant changes in the brain through functional brain image research [18]. Previous research has examined the efficacy of EMDR treatment for children with PTSD compared with untreated children in a waiting list control group participating in a randomized controlled superiority trial, reporting that the EMDR group showed significantly greater alleviation of PTSD-related symptoms compared with the waiting list control group [19]. Bae et al [20] reported the potential application of EMDR for treating depressive disorders related not only to trauma but also to stressful life events.…”

Randomized Trial Comparison of Emotion Regulation and Relational Psychotherapies for PTSD with Girls Involved in Delinquency

“…These include Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT; Cohen, Deblinger, Mannarino & Steer, 2004), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; Ahmad, Larsson, & Sundelin-Wahlsten, 2007), Stress Inoculation Training (Vickerman & Margolin, 2009), and cognitive therapy (P. Smith et al, 2007). TF-CBT has the strongest evidence base for the treatment of pediatric PTSD (Silverman et al, 2008).…”

Reducing acute stress in a 16-year old using trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

“…One randomized controlled trial among children involved in road traffic accidents showed no effect for PD provided 4 weeks after the accident [16], a finding that is consistent with earlier adult research [17]. Empirical support for EMDR as an effective early intervention for ASD in children is currently lacking, but the approach appears promising for children with chronic PTSD [18][19][20][21][22]. A recent Cochrane review on psychological treatment for PTSD in adults shows favourable results for EMDR [23].…”

“…However, if intrusive memories, flashbacks and nightmares are prominent, a combination of TF-CBT and EMDR could make a promising intervention for reducing acute stress reactions. EMDR appears to have very strong effects on intrusions and distressing memories [18]. Besides the primary benefit of EMDR being effective, the procedure is also efficient, requiring only 3-5 hours of treatment, in the case that the traumatic memory is related to a single event.…”