Effectiveness of an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing intervention for the prevention of post-traumatic symptoms in perinatal loss: A randomized pilot controlled trial

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an EMDR recent traumatic episode protocol (EMDR-RTEP) as a preventive intervention for post-traumatic symptoms after perinatal loss.

Article Abstract

“Background: Perinatal loss is a situation with significant traumatic potential. However, no study has evaluated the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for the prevention or treatment of post-traumatic symptoms in perinatal loss. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an EMDR recent traumatic episode protocol (EMDR-RTEP) as a preventive intervention for post-traumatic symptoms after perinatal loss.

Materials and methods: A one-site, open label, randomized controlled pilot trial was designed. A total of 40 women who had suffered perinatal loss in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Service of a tertiary university hospital were recruited. The women were randomized to the EMDR-RTEP (n=20) or treatment as usual (TAU, n=20). Post-traumatic, depressive, anxiety and intensity of perinatal grief symptoms were assessed using standardized instruments at baseline and 3 months after perinatal loss (post-treatment). We performed an intention-to-treat analysis using analysis of covariance with baseline scores as covariates.

Results: Women who received the EMDR-RTEP scored non-significantly lower than women who received TAU in all post-treatment outcomes. According to a satisfaction scale (CRES-4), women who received the EMDR-RTEP had a higher perceived emotional change than women who received TAU (U = 69.5, p = .011).

Conclusions: EMDR-RTE is a feasible intervention, that is well accepted and tolerated by women after perinatal loss, with adequate satisfaction. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm these results.

Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT05701137.”

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Article Access

Open Access 

Sureda-Caldentey, B., Garcia-Gilbert, C., Martínez, A., Giménez, Y., Segú, X., Mallorquí, A., Gelabert, E., Roca-Lecumberri, A., 7 Torres-Giménez, A. (2025). Effectiveness of an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing intervention for the prevention of post-traumatic symptoms in perinatal loss: A randomized pilot controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16: 1593306. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1593306

About the Journal

“Frontiers in Psychiatry is an interdisciplinary journal that focuses on translational and ‘bench-to-beside’ approaches to improve therapeutic options for mental illness and consequently to improve patient treatment outcomes.”

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