Is the eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing integrative group treatment protocol (EMDR-IGTP) effective for UK military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder? A pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the EMDR-IGTP in reducing PTSD symptoms in military veterans in the United Kingdom.

Article Abstract

“Background: Armed forces personnel frequently witness traumatic events and suffer the consequences of involvement in combat. Improving treatment of post-traumatic stress and related problems for Veterans of these conflicts is important to optimise recovery for survivors. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy that has been shown to be an effective trauma treatment for military Veterans, while the EMDR-Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (EMDR-IGTP) has been used in many trials with civilian samples, with good results. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the EMDR-IGTP in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in military Veterans in the United Kingdom. The study was conducted in 2019 as part of a professional doctorate, and 36 participants met the inclusion criteria.

Methods: The EMDR-IGTP protocol was used with six groups of military Veterans in the United Kingdom. Each group met once a week for six sessions with the groups running consecutively. Questionnaires were completed by participants at every session, and 36 participants took part, with only two not completing the intervention.

Results: The EMDR-IGTP resulted in clinically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms for most participants, with a clinically significant decrease in scores on the PCL-5 (p < .001, d = 2.72), and clinically significant reductions in symptoms of depression scores on the PHQ-9 (p < .001, d= 1.98), anxiety scores on the GAD-7 (p < .001, d = 2.54), and clinically significant improvement in social functioning on the WSAS p < .001, d = 1.40).

Limitations: This was a small study with self-selecting participants, with no follow-up data, without a control or comparator group and conducted by the same experienced therapist.

Conclusions: The EMDR-IGTP had a statistically significant effect on symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety, for this small group of military Veterans. These findings provide preliminary evidence for a novel, cost-effective way of treating Veterans with PTSD, paving the way for larger-scale studies.

Funding:: Some of this work was supported by the Veterans’ Foundation, to enable the candidate to train in the specific EMDR-IGTP protocol used for the treatment intervention.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access 

Davies, S. (2021). Is the eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing integrative group treatment protocol (EMDR-IGTP) effective for UK military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder? A pilot study. [Doctoral Dissertation, University of the West of England]. https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/6971656(opens in new tab)