Protocol of a French assessor-blinded randomized trial comparing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) in young children with post-traumatic stress disorder
This paper describes the design of a French assessor-blinded randomized trial comparing EMDR and TF-CBT efficacy in young children (aged 3 to 6 years) with PTSD.
Article Abstract
“Context: Young children with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) require interventions tailored to their unique trauma reactions and their cognitive, social, and emotional development. While both EMDR therapy and TF-CBT are highly recommended for PTSD treatment and seem developmentally appropriate for early childhood, neither is yet evidence-based for children under 6 years with PTSD, and EMDR has not been evaluated in this population through a randomized group comparison.
Objective: To describe the design of a French assessor-blinded randomized trial comparing EMDR and TF-CBT efficacy in young children (aged 3 to 6 years) with PTSD, which notably considers both the child’s level of cognitive development and parental symptomatology in addition to the child’s symptoms.
Method: This study includes children aged 3 to 6 years and 11 months with a diagnosis of PTSD and no other specific pathological condition. After recruitment, the study takes place in three stages: 1/ assessment of the child’s various cognitive functions and symptomatology, and the parents’ distress and PTSD; 2/ either EMDR or TF-CBT treatment is administered over 6 to 12 sessions; 3/ reassessment of the symptomatology (at end of treatment and three months later).
Discussion: This paper describes the study design of the first assessor-blinded randomized trial comparing EMDR therapy and TF-CBT in French children aged 3 to 6 years. The findings of this study, once completed, may offer support for the efficacy of EMDR and TF-CBT, potentially paving the way for future recommendations in the treatment of PTSD in young children.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Nina, M., Philipine, V., Florence, A., & Andrea, S. (2026). Protocol of a French assessor-blinded randomized trial comparing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) in young children with post-traumatic stress disorder. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 100648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2026.100648
Date
February 6, 2026
Creator(s)
Moner Nina, Villard Philippine, Askenazy Florence
Contributor(s)
Soubelet Andrea
Topics
PTSD
Client Population
Celebrities
Practice & Methods
Comparative Studies
Extent
25 pages
Publisher
Elsevier
Rights
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.
APA Citation
Nina, M., Philipine, V., Florence, A., & Andrea, S. (2026). Protocol of a French assessor-blinded randomized trial comparing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) in young children with post-traumatic stress disorder. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 100648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2026.100648
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access
