Multisite randomized controlled trial on the provision of the EMDR integrative group treatment protocol for ongoing traumatic stress to polytraumatized children and adolescents with PTSD or CPTSD diagnosis

A multisite RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress (EMDR-IGTP-OTS) in reducing PTSD or CPTSD symptoms in polytraumatized children and adolescents.

Article Abstract

“The aim of this multisite randomized controlled trial (RCT) with an intention-to-treat analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing-Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress (EMDR-IGTP-OTS) in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and loss of PTSD or Complex PTSD (CPTSD) diagnostic status, in polytraumatized children and adolescents affected by prolonged adverse childhood experiences, neglect, and maltreatment. A total of 109 children and adolescents (15 males and 94 females) living in 12 social assistance centers under the Mexican government’s protection met the inclusion criteria and participated in a two-day intensive treatment program. Participants’ ages ranged from 7 to 17 (M =11.84 years). A two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) design was applied. Regarding PTSD and CPTSD diagnoses, 63.33% of the Treatment Group, participants fulfilled the diagnostic criteria at pretreatment, whereas only 11.66% still met the diagnostic criteria at follow-up. This reflects a diagnostic loss of 51.67%. In contrast, 57.14% of the Control Group fulfilled the diagnostic criteria at pre-treatment, and 69.39% at follow-up, indicating an increase of 12.25% in diagnostic status.

A Chi-square test confirmed that the proportion of participants meeting diagnostic criteria at follow-up differed significantly between groups, χ² (1) = 35.88, p < .001. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant effects for time (F (2,196) = 147.87, p < .001, η² = 0.60), group (F (1,98) = 12.34, p = .001, η² = 0.11), and a time × group interaction (F (2,196) = 45.67, p < .001, η² = 0.32), indicating significant differences between groups. Independent t tests showed no baseline differences between groups (p = .997, d = 0.001). However, post-treatment (p < .001, d = −1.28) and follow-up (p < .001, d = −2.04) scores were significantly lower in the Treatment Group, showing a reduction of symptoms. Paired t tests within the Treatment Group demonstrated substantial reductions from pre-treatment to post-treatment (p < .001, d = 1.14), post-treatment to follow-up (p < .001, d = 0.53), and pre-treatment to follow-up (p < .001, Cohen’s d = 1.72). The Control Group exhibited no significant within-group changes across time points.

Results on the Reliable Change Index (RCI) and the Clinically Significant Change (CSC) Margin showed that the EMDR-IGTP-OTS treatment intervention exhibited reliable change on PTSD symptom reduction and clinically significant change. Regarding safety, no adverse effects or events were reported by the participants during the treatment procedure administration or at follow-up. None of the participants showed clinically significant worsening/exacerbation of symptoms after treatment. Participants in the Control Group received the intervention treatment after the follow-up assessment, fulfilling our ethical criteria.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Carretero, K. P., Delgadillo, A., Jaramillo, M. C., Mainthow, N., Givaudan, M., Jarero, I., Rodriguez, M. P., Tierado, G. S., & Gomez L. (2025, May 16). Multisite randomized controlled trial on the provision of the EMDR integrative group treatment protocol for ongoing traumatic stress to polytraumatized children and adolescents with PTSD or CPTSD diagnosis. Academic Journal of Pediatrics & Neonatology, 15(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.19080/AJPN.2025.15.555963 Open access retrieval: https://juniperpublishers.com/ajpn/