Elevated psychophysiological parameters and heightened physiological reactivity to trauma-related cues are acquired changes following trauma exposure. Measuring improvement in these variables is an appropriate evaluation of outcome in treatment studies. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a computerized measure of physiological responsivity derived from Holter ECG recording. Four female outpatients with persistent post-traumatic symptoms and personal impairment following “small t” trauma exposure underwent a course of EMDR treatment and were assessed at baseline, end of treatment, day 30 and day 90 of follow-up, using self-report symptom scales and 90-min Holter ECG recordings. Symptom scores decreased between baseline and end of treatment, with improvement maintained at follow-up. Several HRV measures changed favorably in different recording intervals. HRV is a feasible and sensitive method to measure physiological changes in the treatment of individuals distressed by “small t” trauma. Further investigation is advisable to expand these preliminary data.
Date
February 1, 2010
Creator(s)
Alessandra Frustaci, Gaetano A. Lanza, Isabeldi Fernandez, Massimo Giannantonio, Gino Pozzi
Topics
PTSD/C-PTSD
Extent
9 pages
Publisher
Springer Publishing Company
Rights
Copyright © 2010 EMDR International Association
APA Citation
Frustaci, A., Lanza, G. A., Fernandez, I., di Giannantonio, M., & Pozzi, G. (2010). Changes in Psychological Symptoms and Heart Rate Variability During EMDR Treatment: A Case Series of Subthreshold PTSD. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 4(1), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.4.1.3
Series
4
Installment
1
Audience
EMDR Therapists
Language
English
Content Type
Peer-Reviewed
Original Source
Journal of EMDR Practice and Research
Access Type
Open Access