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Augmentation Effects of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Intervention in Pharmacotherapy-resistant PTSD

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

J.E. Park ,
D. Kim ,
H. Bae ,
W.H. Kim ,
D. Roh  and
W. Kim
J.E. Park
Affiliation:
Keyo Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Uiwang, Republic of Korea
D. Kim
Affiliation:
Hanyang University, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea
H. Bae
Affiliation:
Industrial Mental Health Research Institute, Gangbuk Samsung Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul, Republic of Korea
W.H. Kim
Affiliation:
Inha University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Incheon, Republic of Korea
D. Roh
Affiliation:
Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
W. Kim
Affiliation:
Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Abstract

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Aim

Both trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy and antidepressant medication are regarded as the first line treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, little is known about sequential or combined efficacy of these two different treatment options. This prospective study examined the add-on efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy among adult civilians with PTSD who continued to be symptomatic after antidepressant treatment.

Method

Adult patients with PTSD at a specialized trauma clinic who received treatment doses of antidepressants for more than 12 weeks were recruited; definition of symptomatic PTSD was a total score > 40 on the Clinician-administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). The CAPS and the global improvement from Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were rated prior to EMDR, after termination and six months follow-up.

Results

A total of 15 patients underwent an average of six sessions of EMDR and 7 (47%) of 15 no longer met the criteria for PTSD and 10 (67%) were given status of very much or much improved. The CAPS scores and significantly decreased after EMDR therapy (paired t = 7.38, df = 14, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

These results indicate that EMDR or trauma-focused CBT can be successfully added to those who failed to improve after initial pharmacotherapy for PTSD. Further studies are needed to explore the best sequence or components of therapies in the treatment of PTSD.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
e-Poster Viewing: Post-traumatic stress disorder
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 41 , Issue S1: Abstract of the 25th European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2017 , pp. S726
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2017
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