A peer support workshop for the treatment of traumatic stress of railroad personnel: Contributions of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a 3-day peer support workshop for 60 railroad employees who had experienced fatal grade crossing accidents. Participants received training on trauma and coping strategies, peer support strategies, and peer debriefing. Half the group also receive Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The Impact of Event Scale was administered at the workshop, a post-treatment followed 2 months later, and finally a 10-month follow-up. There was a significant decrease in scores at post-treatment and follow-up was conducted. The addition of EMDR led to significantly lower scores than having only the workshop. The workshop appeared successful in decreasing the effects of long-term trauma.

Journal

English

Roger M. Solomon
Tim E. Kaufman

Solomon, R. M., & Kaufman, T. E. (2002, Fall/Winter). A peer support workshop for the treatment of traumatic stress of railroad personnel: Contributions of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Journal of Brief Therapy, 2(1), 27-33