Intensive EMDR to Treat Patients With Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series
There is mounting evidence suggesting that increasing the frequency of EMDR treatment sessions, PTSD treatment outcomes significantly improve.
Article Abstract
“There is mounting evidence suggesting that by increasing the frequency of treatment sessions, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment outcomes significantly improve. As part of an ongoing research project, this study examined the safety and effectiveness of intensive eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in a group of seven (four female) patients suffering from complex PTSD and multiple comorbidities resulting from childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or work and combat-related trauma. Treatment was not preceded by a preparation phase and consisted of 2 × 4 consecutive days of EMDR therapy administered in morning and afternoon sessions of 90 minutes each, interspersed with intensive physical activity and psychoeducation. Outcome measures were the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the PTSD Symptom Scale Self-report questionnaire (PSS-SR). During treatment, neither personal adverse events nor dropout occurred. CAPS scores decreased significantly from pre- to posttreatment, and four of the seven patients lost their PTSD diagnosis as established with the CAPS. The results were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) on the CAPS and PSS-SR were large: 3.2, 1.7 (prepost) and 2.3, 2.1 (prefollow-up), respectively. The results of this case series suggest that an intensive program using EMDR therapy is a potentially safe and effective treatment alternative for complex PTSD. The application of massed, consecutive days of treatments using EMDR therapy for patients suffering from PTSD, particularly those with multiple comorbidities, merits more clinical and research attention.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Bongaerts, H., Van Minnen, A., & de Jongh, A. (2017). Intensive EMDR to Treat Patients With Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 11(2), 84–95. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.11.2.84
About the Journal
The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research is a peer-reviewed publication devoted to integrative, state-of-the-art papers about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a broadly conceived interdisciplinary journal that stimulates and communicates research and theory about EMDR, and their application to clinical practice. The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research is the Official Publication of the EMDR International Association.
Date
June 1, 2017
Creator(s)
Hannelies Bongaerts, Agnes Van Minnen, Ad de Jongh
Topics
Abuse/Neglect, Complex Trauma/C-PTSD, Sexual Trauma
Client Population
Children, Military/Veterans
Extent
12 pages
Publisher
Springer Publishing Company
Rights
Copyright © 2017 EMDR International Association
APA Citation
Bongaerts, H., Van Minnen, A., & de Jongh, A. (2017). Intensive EMDR to Treat Patients With Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 11(2), 84–95. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.11.2.84
Series
11
Installment
2
Audience
EMDR Therapists
Language
English
Content Type
Peer-Reviewed
Original Source
Journal of EMDR Practice and Research
Access Type
Open Access