Psychological intervention in women victims of childhood sexual abuse: A randomized controlled clinical trial comparing EMDR psychotherapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy

This randomized controlled trial compared TF-CBT and EMDR therapy (G-TEP protocol) for victims of childhood sexual abuse.

Article Abstract

“Introduction: Childhood sexual abuse persists as a painful societal reality, necessitating responses from institutions and healthcare professionals to prevent and address its severe long-term consequences in victims. This study implements an intervention comprising two psychotherapeutic approaches recommended by the WHO and international clinical guidelines for addressing short-, medium-, and long-term posttraumatic symptomatology: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Both approaches are adapted from group formats for implementation in small online groups via Zoom.

Methods: The impact of both therapeutic approaches on trauma improvement was assessed in a sample of 19 women who were victims of childhood sexual abuse through a Randomized Clinical Trial comparing EMDR Psychotherapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy after a baseline period. Intra and inter comparison were made using statistics appropriate to the sample.

Results: Both therapeutic approaches significantly reduced symptomatology across various evaluated variables, suggesting their efficacy in improving the quality of life for these individuals. Following CBT-FT treatment, patients exhibited enhanced emotional regulation, reduced reexperiencing, and avoidance. The EMDR group, utilizing the G-TEP group protocol, significantly improved dissociation, along with other crucial clinical variables and the perception of quality of life.

Discussion: Although the limitations of this study must be taken into account due to the size of the sample and the lack of long-term follow-up, the results align with existing scientific literature, underscoring the benefits of trauma-focused psychological treatments. The online group format appears promising for enhancing the accessibility of psychological treatment for these women. Furthermore, the differential outcomes of each treatment support recent research advocating for the inclusion of both approaches for individuals with trauma-related symptomatology.

Ethics and dissemination: The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Valencian International University (VIU) (Valencia, Spain) (Ref. CEID2021_07). The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to the scientific community.

Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04813224, identifier NCT04813224.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access 

Molero-Zafra, M., Fernandez-Garcia, O., Mitjans-Lafont, M. R., Perez-Marin, M., & Hernandez-Jimenez, M. J. (2024). Psychological intervention in women victims of childhood sexual abuse: A randomized controlled clinical trial comparing EMDR psychotherapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15:1360388. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1360388

About the Journal

“Frontiers in Psychiatry is an interdisciplinary journal that focuses on translational and ‘bench-to-beside’ approaches to improve therapeutic options for mental illness and consequently to improve patient treatment outcomes.”

—Description from publisher