The Efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in Children and Adults Who Have Experienced Complex Childhood Trauma: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background: Survivors of complex childhood trauma (CT) such as sexual abuse show poorer outcomes compared to single event trauma survivors. A growing number of studies investigate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but no systematic reviews have focused on EMDR treatment for CT as an intervention for both adults and children. This study therefore systematically reviewed all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of EMDR on PTSD symptoms in adults and children exposed to CT.Methods: Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO were searched in October 2017. Randomized controlled trials which recruited adult and children with experience of CT, which compared EMDR to alternative treatments or control conditions, and which measured PTSD symptoms were included. Study methodology quality was evaluated with Platinum Standard scale.Results: Six eligible RCTs of 251 participants were included in this systematic review. The results indicated that EMDR was associated with reductions in PTSD symptoms, depression and/or anxiety both post-treatment and at follow-up compared with all other alternative therapies (cognitive behavior therapy, individual/group therapy and fluoxetine) and control treatment (pill placebo, active listening, EMDR delayed treatment, and treatment as usual). However, studies suffered from significant heterogeneity in study populations, length of EMDR treatment, length of follow-up, comparison groups, and outcome measures. One study had a high risk of bias.Discussion: This systematic review suggests that there is growing evidence to support the clinical efficacy of EMDR in treating CT in both children and adults. However, conclusions are limited by the small number of heterogenous trials. Further RCTs with standardized methodologies, as well as studies addressing real world challenges in treating CT are required.

Effectiveness of an intensive treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for severe post-traumatic stress disorder

“…Hendriks, De Kleine, Broekman, Hendriks, & Van Minnen, 2018; Zoellner et al, 2017; for a review see Hendriks, De Kleine, Hendriks, & Van Minnen, 2016). In a meta-analysis, EMDR was found to be effective for complex trauma (Chen et al, 2018) but little is known about the effects of intensive EMDR therapy. A pilot study by Bongaerts, Van Minnen, and De Jongh (2017) assessed the effectiveness of an intensive EMDR treatment programme for seven patients, consisting of 8 days of EMDR administered in morning and afternoon sessions of 90 minutes each, interspersed with physical activity and psycho-education.…”

Interpersonal Trauma and Risk of Depression Among Adolescents: The Mediating and Moderating Effect of Interpersonal Relationship and Physical Exercise

“…This study aimed to investigate the relationship between interpersonal trauma and interpersonal relationships, and physical exercise and the risk of depression in an adolescent population in China using a large school sample. Our findings can be summarized as follows: (1) Interpersonal trauma influences the risk of depression directly; (2) Interpersonal trauma influences the risk of depression indirectly though interpersonal problems; (3) Physical exercise moderates the association between interpersonal trauma and interpersonal relationships.…”

“…Exposure to interpersonal trauma is common and has become an important public health concern in adolescence. It can be defined as an event experienced by the individual such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse (1,2). Previous research has reported that two thirds of adolescents have had at least once experience of interpersonal trauma in some form (3).…”

Psychotherapie im Mausmodell

“…Nach den hier diskutierten Erkenntnissen -Extinktion mit EMDR wirkt rascher und stärker als Extinktion allein durch Re-Exposition -wundert es nicht, dass die EMDR in neueren und neuesten Reviews und Metaanalysen zur klinischen Wirksamkeit -nicht zuletzt im Vergleich zur kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie (cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT) -als wirksamer eingestuft wird [11,19]. Auch erscheint die Rate der Therapie-Abbrecher geringer, was ebenfalls durch den rascheren Wirkungseintritt und die stärkere Wirkung erklärt werden kann [40].…”

“…Gefunden wurde dies durch Untersuchungen über das Richtungshören bei der Schleiereule [20], bei dem eine Raumkarte aus Laufzeitdifferenzen zwischen am rechten und linken Ohr eintretendem Schall berechnet wird. 11 Diese Karte wird mit den Raumkarten im Colliculus superior abgeglichen, die wahrscheinlich den gleichen Code verwenden. Nicht umsonst verwenden die Vögel den Colliculus superior zum Sehen, denn sie brauchen eine schnelle visuelle Informationsverarbeitung beim Navigieren in der Luft.…”