EMDR in military/veteran populations with combat-related PTSD

This is a research briefing for EMDR therapy efficacy in military/veteran populations with combat-related PTSD based on literature searches conducted in July 2026.

Article Abstract

“Key messages from the current evidence base:

• Based on Kitchiner et al.’s 2019 meta-analysis, RCT evidence directly in military/veteran samples is limited, with small, older EMDR trials and wide confidence intervals. Pooled EMDR compared with waitlist/usual care effects were not statistically significant in the existing military/veterans synthesis (Kitchiner et al. 2019).
• The 2025 VA retrospective study (USA) suggests that EMDR is an effective treatment for PTSD in veterans, showing a large effect size for PTSD symptoms and a medium effect size for depression symptoms. Both the telehealth and in-person modalities generally yielded similar outcomes in treatment completion and rates of clinical improvement. (Fairbanks et al. 2025)
• The outcomes for EMDR in the Lancaster et al. study (2025) delivered in a community mental health setting (USA) demonstrated large effect sizes, comparable to those of prolonged exposure and cognitive processing therapy, but the authors note that this finding is not consistent in military populations, according to the evidence, citing Kitchiner et al.’s systematic review (Kitchiner et al. 2019).
• Data from the Reij et al. Netherlands study, which used a brief intensive trauma-focused treatment programme including EMDR found moderate evidence that there is no difference between veterans and non-veterans in terms of loss of diagnostic status after treatment (74.4% for veterans and 76.7% for non-veterans). (Reij et al. 2025)
• Military-specific data on remission rates, functional recovery, suicidality/adverse events, and return to duty are largely absent in the existing literature. (Carlson et al. 1998; Fairbanks et al. 2025; Frappell-Cooke et al. 2019; Jones et al. 2020; Kitchiner et al. 2012, 2019; Lancaster et al. 2025; Reij et al. 2025)
• UK military-specific outcome data for EMDR is currently descriptive rather than trial based (Frappell-Cooke et al. 2019; Kitchiner et al. 2012).”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Sutton, A. (2026, Summer). EMDR in military/veteran populations with combat-related PTSD. EMDR Therapy Quarterly. https://etq.emdrassociation.org.uk/2026/07/26/emdr-in-military-veteran-populations-with-combat-related-ptsd/