The EMDR recent birth trauma protocol: A pilot randomized clinical trial after traumatic childbirth

This pilot study investigated the effectiveness of brief EMDR intervention compared to treatment-as-usual in women with post-partum PTSD.

Article Abstract

“Objective: This pilot study investigated the effectiveness of brief EMDR intervention as compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU) in women with post-partum PTSD symptoms.

Design: A pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted to evaluate possible differences between one EMDR session (n = 19) and one TAU session (n = 18) delivered in a maternity ward in the aftermath of childbirth.

Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure was the rate of remission of post-partum post-traumatic stress symptoms (i.e. IES-R score <23) in both groups at 6-weeks (T1) and 12-weeks’ post-partum (T2). Secondary outcome measures were mother-to-infant bonding, post-partum depressive symptoms, the presence of flashbacks and level of distress.

Results: Most of the women improved their post-partum post-traumatic stress symptoms after only one treatment session. EMDR resulted more effective than TAU in reducing the proportion of women with post-partum post-traumatic stress symptoms at 6-weeks’ post-partum (78.9% EMDR vs. 39.9% TAU; p = .020). Moreover, women treated with EMDR experienced less flashbacks and distress as compared to TAU. No significant difference was found between treatments on mother-to-infant bonding and post-partum depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: These findings, although preliminary, suggest that a brief EMDR intervention could be a viable and promising tool in the early treatment of post-traumatic stress related to traumatic childbirth.”

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Article Access

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Chiorino, V., Cattaneo, M. C., Macchi, E. A., Salerno, R., Roveraro, S., Bertolucci, G. G., Mosca, F., Fumagalli, M., Cortinovis, I., Carletto, S., & Fernandez, I. (2019). The EMDR recent birth trauma protocol: A pilot randomized clinical trial after traumatic childbirth. Psychology and Health 35(7), 795-810. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2019.1699088

About the Journal

“Psychology & Health publishes works on the psychological and psychosocial aspects of physical illnesses and their prevention using communication and psychological interventions.”

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