Intensive outpatient treatment for PTSD: a pilot feasibility study combining prolonged exposure therapy, EMDR, physical activity, and psychoeducation
Treatment each day consisted of individual Prolonged Exposure (PE), EMDR, and psychoeducation and physical activity in groups.
Article Abstract
“Background: Intensive treatment could be effective for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Objective: The aim of the study was to test the feasibility of an 8-day (2-week) intensive outpatient treatment for PTSD.
Method: Treatment each day consisted of individual Prolonged Exposure (PE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and psychoeducation and physical activity in groups. Patients met different therapists from session to session.
Results: Six patients started and completed treatment. Levels of attendance of sessions was high. Patients reported that they were satisfied with the treatment, describing it as emotionally taxing, but meaningful. Therapists also described several positive aspects of the treatment format. There were large reductions in PTSD symptoms.
Conclusions: Given these promising, but preliminary findings on the programme’s feasibility, future research should investigate this treatment format using larger samples and controlled designs.
HIGHLIGHTS
- This 8-day (2-week) intensive outpatient treatment programme was feasible for patients suffering from severe PTSD.
- Treatment combined two types of trauma-focused treatment (PE and EMDR), psychoeducation, physical activity, and therapist rotation.
- All patients completed treatment and described it as emotionally taxing, but manageable and meaningful.
- Patients reported to be satisfied with the treatment, and there were large reductions in PTSD symptoms.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Brynhildsvoll Auren, T. J., Gjerde Jensen, A., Rendum Klæth, J., Maksic, E., & Solem, S. (2021). Intensive outpatient treatment for PTSD: a pilot feasibility study combining prolonged exposure therapy, EMDR, physical activity, and psychoeducation. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), 1917878. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1917878
Date
May 14, 2021
Creator(s)
Trude Julie Brynhildsvoll Auren, Andreas Gjerde Jensen, Julie Rendum Klæth
Contributor(s)
Elma Maksica, Stian Solem
Topics
PTSD
Practice & Methods
Intensives
Extent
6 pages
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Rights
© 2021 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/), whichpermits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
APA Citation
Brynhildsvoll Auren, T. J., Gjerde Jensen, A., Rendum Klæth, J., Maksic, E., & Solem, S. (2021). Intensive outpatient treatment for PTSD: a pilot feasibility study combining prolonged exposure therapy, EMDR, physical activity, and psychoeducation. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), 1917878. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1917878
Audience
EMDR Therapists
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access
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