Randomized controlled clinical trial on the provision of the EMDR-PRECI to family caregivers of patients with autism spectrum disorder

This study by Ignacio (Nacho) Jarero, Ph.D.,Ed.D., Martha Givaudan, Ph.D. and others suggest that the EMDR-PRECI could be an efficient and effective treatment to address PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms in family caregiver of patients with autism spectrum disorder.

Article Abstract

“This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing Protocol for Recent Critical Incidents and Ongoing Traumatic Stress (EMDR-PRECI) in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression symptoms in family caregivers of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants were randomly assigned to six 60-minute individual treatment sessions (N=14) or to care as usual control condition (N=12).

They completed pre, post, and follow up measurements PCL-5 and HADS, while participants continued taking care of their relatives with ASD, during the follow-up. Data analysis by repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant effect for time, for group and interaction for PSTD and Anxiety: (F (2, 46) = 16.99 p <.001, ηP2 = .425), (F (1, 23 = 6.61, p<.01, ηP2 = .223), (F (2, 46) = 30.42, p <.001, ηP2 = .569); (F (2, 46) = 8.92, p <.001, = ηP2= .280), (F (2, 23) = 7.36, p <.05, ηP2 = .242), (F (2, 46) = 11.33, p <.001, ηP2= .330) respectively, and significant effect for time (F (2, 46) = 4.35, p <.05, ηP2 = .159) and interaction (F (2, 46) = 4.64, p <.05, ηP2 = .168) with no significant effect for group for depression. The study results suggest that the EMDR-PRECI could be an efficient and effective treatment to address family caregiver’s PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms. Future research with randomized controlled clinical studies is recommended to replicate these results with a larger sample size of family caregivers of patients with ASD.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Encinas, M., Osorio, A., Jarero, I., & Givaudan, M. (2019). Randomized controlled clinical trial on the provision of the EMDR-PRECI to family caregivers of patients with autism spectrum disorder. Psychology and Behavioral Science International Journal, 11(1), 1-8. Open access: http://dx.doi.org/10.19080/PBSIJ.2019.11.555802

About the Journal

“Psychology and Behavioral Science International Journal is an Open Access, peer reviewed, multidisciplinary international journal of Juniper publisher.”

—Description from publisher