Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in children and adolescents with subthreshold PTSD after medically related trauma: Design of a randomized controlled trial
Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of EMDR in children and adolescents with subthreshold PTSD after hospitalization.
Article Abstract
“Background: Three in every 10 children and adolescents admitted to a hospital or undergoing medical treatment develop subthreshold symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When untreated, subthreshold PTSD can have a serious impact on psychosocial functioning, quality of life and long-term psychopathology. However, research investigating subthreshold PTSD and its treatment following paediatric medical interventions and/or hospitalization is scarce. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a fast and non-invasive psychosocial treatment for posttraumatic stress complaints. However, the effectiveness of EMDR in paediatric patients with subthreshold PTSD has not previously been systematically investigated.
Objective: Describing the design of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) set up to evaluate the effectiveness of EMDR in children with subthreshold PTSD after hospitalization.
Method: Children aged 4–15 years who have undergone a one-time (trauma type I) or repeated (trauma type II) hospitalization up to five years ago will be included. Participating children will be first screened with a standardized questionnaire for PTSD-symptoms. Subsequently, children with subthreshold PTSD will be randomly assigned to (1) approximately six sessions of standardized EMDR or (2) care as usual (CAU). Children with full diagnostic PTSD do not participate in the RCT, but are referred for direct treatment. Follow-up measurements will take place after eight weeks and eight months.
Discussion: Considering the scarce evidence for the effectiveness of EMDR in children with medically related trauma, clinicans, researchers and children treated in hospitals can benefit from this study. Potential strengths and limitations of this study are discussed.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Meentken, M. F., van Beynum, I. M., Aendekerk, E. W. C., Legerstee, J. S., El Marroun, H., van der Ende, J., Lindauer, R. J. L., Hillegers, M. H. J., Moll, H. A., Helbing, W. A., & Utens, M. W. J. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in children and adolescents with subthreshold PTSD after medically related trauma: Design of a randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 9, 1:536287. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2018.1536287
Date
November 22, 2018
Creator(s)
Maya G. Meentken, Ingrid M. van Beynum, Elisabeth W. C. Aendekerk
Contributor(s)
Jeroen S. Legerstee, Hanan El Marroun, Jan van der Ende, Ramón J. L. Lindauer, Manon H. J. Hillegers, Henriette A. Moll, Wim A. Helbing, Elisabeth M. W. J. Utens
Topics
PTSD
Client Population
Adolescents, Children
Extent
10 pages
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Rights
© 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
APA Citation
Meentken, M. F., van Beynum, I. M., Aendekerk, E. W. C., Legerstee, J. S., El Marroun, H., van der Ende, J., Lindauer, R. J. L., Hillegers, M. H. J., Moll, H. A., Helbing, W. A., & Utens, M. W. J. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in children and adolescents with subthreshold PTSD after medically related trauma: Design of a randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 9, 1:536287. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2018.1536287
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed, RCT
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access
