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Trauma-focused therapy in early psychosis: Results of a feasibility randomized controlled trial of EMDR for psychosis (EMDRp) in early intervention settings (Psychological Medicine)

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Home / Resources / Psychosis/Schizophrenia / Trauma-focused therapy in early psychosis: Results of a feasibility randomized controlled trial of EMDR for psychosis (EMDRp) in early intervention settings (Psychological Medicine)

Trauma-focused therapy in early psychosis: Results of a feasibility randomized controlled trial of EMDR for psychosis (EMDRp) in early intervention settings

Feasibility of RCT of an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for psychosis (EMDRp) intervention for early psychosis service users.


Article Abstract 

“Background: Trauma is prevalent amongst early psychosis patients and associated with adverse outcomes. Past trials of trauma-focused therapy have focused on chronic patients with psychosis/schizophrenia and comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We aimed to determine the feasibility of a large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for psychosis (EMDRp) intervention for early psychosis service users.

Methods: A single-blind RCT comparing 16 sessions of EMDRp + TAU vs TAU only was conducted. Participants completed baseline, 6-month and 12-month post-randomisation assessments. EMDRp and trial assessments were delivered both in-person and remotely due to COVID-19 restrictions. Feasibility outcomes were recruitment and retention, therapy attendance/engagement, adherence to EMDRp treatment protocol, and the ‘promise of efficacy’ of EMDRp on relevant clinical outcomes.

Results: 60 participants (100% of the recruitment target) received TAU or EMDR+TAU. 83% completed at least one follow-up assessment, with 74% at 6-month and 70% at 12-month. 74% of EMDRp+TAU participants received at least 8 therapy sessions and 97% rated therapy sessions demonstrated good treatment fidelity. At 6-month, there were signals of promise of efficacy of EMDRp+TAU vs TAU for total psychotic symptoms (PANSS), subjective recovery from psychosis, PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety and general health status. Signals of efficacy at 12-month were less pronounced but remained robust for PTSD symptoms and general health status.

Conclusions: The trial feasibility criteria were fully met, and EMDRp was associated with promising signals of efficacy on a range of valuable clinical outcomes. A larger-scale, multi-centre trial of EMDRp is feasible and warranted.”

—Description from publisher 

Article Access 

Open Access OR Purchase/Subscription Required 

Varese, F., Sellwood, W., Pulford, D., Awenat, Y., Bird, L., Bhutani, G., Carter, L-A., Davies, L., Aseem, S., Davis, C., Hefferman-Clarke, R., Hilton, C., Horne, G., Keane, D., Logie, R., Malkin, D., Potter, F., den van Berg, D., Zia, S., & Bentall, R. P. (2023). Trauma-focused therapy in early psychosis: Results of a feasibility randomized controlled trial of EMDR for psychosis (EMDRp) in early intervention settings. Psychological Medicine. Overview retrieval: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/trauma-focused-therapy-in-early-psychosis-results-of-a-feasibilit  

View the Resource
Basic Info Collapse

Date
August 2, 2023

Creator(s)
Filippo Varese, William Sellwood, Daniel Pulford

Contributor(s)
Yvonne Awenat, Leanne Bird, Gita Bhutani, Lesley-Anne Carter, Linda Davies, Saadia Aseem, Claire Davis , Rebecca Hefferman - Clarke, Claire Hilton, Georgia Horne, David Keane, Robin Logie, Debra Malkin, Fiona Potter, David Den Van Berg, Shameem Zia, Richard P. Bentall

Topics
Psychosis/Schizophrenia, PTSD

Practice & Methods
Comparative Studies, Protocols

More Info Collapse

Extent
28 pages

APA Citation
Varese, F., Sellwood, W., Pulford, D., Awenat, Y., Bird, L., Bhutani, G., Carter, L-A., Davies, L., Aseem, S., Davis, C., Hefferman-Clarke, R., Hilton, C., Horne, G., Keane, D., Logie, R., Malkin, D., Potter, F., den van Berg, D., Zia, S., & Bentall, R. P. (2023). Trauma-focused therapy in early psychosis: Results of a feasibility randomized controlled trial of EMDR for psychosis (EMDRp) in early intervention settings. Psychological Medicine. Overview retrieval: https://research.manchester.ac.uk/en/publications/trauma-focused-therapy-in-early-psychosis-results-of-a-feasibilit

Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals

Language
English

Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed, RCT

Access Type
External Resource, Open Access

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