EMDR intervention after a disaster: The Morandi Bridge collapse

In this study, survivors were treated with the EMDR Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP). Results show that EMDR significantly reduced participants’ Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) scores.

Article Abstract

“Survivors involved in natural or man-made disasters can develop a range of psychological problems including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, other forms of psychological distress, and a poor quality of life. Therefore, the principal focus of early psychological interventions, according to World Health Organization, is to provide a rapid and effective therapeutical approach like EMDR therapy. The EMDR approach enables the assimilation and integration of the various aspects of a traumatic experience at a somatic, sensorial, cognitive, behavioral and emotional level. In this article will be presented data of 47 patients collected after the partial collapse of Morandi bridge, in Genoa, in August 2018. Survivors were treated applying the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP); in order to evaluate the effect of the traumatic event and to monitor the intervention outcome, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was administered to each person pre and after EMDR treatment. Results show that regardless the number of sessions and the time elapsed after the disaster in which they were performed, EMDR significantly reduced participants’ IES-R scores from pre-treatment to posttreatment. Clinical implications and limits of the study will be discussed.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Fernandez, I., & Callerame, C. (2019). EMDR intervention after a disaster: The Morandi Bridge collapse. Emergency Care Journal, 15(3). Open access: https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2019.8634

About the Journal

“Emergency Care Journal is the official Journal of the Academy of Emergency Medicine and Care (AcEMC). The journal is an international, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to improve the quality of care by publishing contributions on acute medical care and related medical specialties.”

—Description from publisher