A pilot study of therapeutic benefits from eye movement desensitization and reprocessing psychotherapy in major depressive disorder associated with post-traumatic stress disorder

Therapeutic benefits of adding EMDR psychotherapy in major depressive disorder associated with PTSD patients treated with antidepressants.

Article Abstract

“Objective: To investigate the therapeutic benefits of EMDR psychotherapy in treating MDD associated with PTSD.

Methods: A pilot study was performed by using standardized EMDR psychotherapy in subjects with MDD associated with PTSD. The inclusion criteria were the followings; (1) Adults aged 18 years old or older, (2) Subjects being treated with antidepressants for at least two months assumably stable blood levels, (3) Subjects with depressive symptoms based upon the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) depressive scale, (4) Subjects with positive score for traumatic events based upon the Children’s Revised Impact of Events Scale-13 (CERIES-13, Thai version). The subjects were eligible if they fulfilled all four criterias. The subjects were treated with 60-90 minutes of EMDR psychotherapy twice a week for three weeks. The changes in PHQ-9 depressive scale, CERIES-13 scale, and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were obtained before the treatment, at the end of the treatment, and 3 months after treatment. The collective data was analyzed with a Paired t-test.

Results: Eighteen subjects with a mean age of 28 years were enrolled in the study. The subjects had significantly decreased PHQ-9 scale and CERIES-13 scale (mean difference [MD] = -11.47, p<0.001; MD = – 36.47, p<0.001, respectively), and had significantly increased self-esteem scale (MD = 9.13, p<0.001) at 3 months after treatment when compared to prior results.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of adding EMDR psychotherapy in MDD associated with PTSD patients who were currently treated with antidepressants. The benefits of adding EMDR psychotherapy may possibly reduce depressive symptoms, PTSD symptoms and improve self-esteem in subjects. Further evaluation of the effectiveness of EMDR psychotherapy is in a guaranteed randomized controlled trial method.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Srikosai, S., Khamfou, C., Thakham, A., Wongmueang, J., Thippunya, K., Wongpothi, U., & Tailangkha, P. (2023). A pilot study of therapeutic benefits from eye movement desensitization and reprocessing psychotherapy in major depressive disorder associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. International Journal of Scientific Research, 12(1). doi.org/10.36106/ijsr/7832526