A trial of eye movement desensitization compared to image habituation training and applied muscle relaxation in post-traumatic stress disorder

36 patients with PTSD were randomly allocated to individual treatment with imaginal exposure (image habituation training - IHT), or applied muscle relaxation (AMR) or eye movement desensitization (EMD). Assessment by a blind independent rater and self-report instrument applied pre and posttreatment and at 3-month follow-up indicated that all groups improved significantly compared with a waiting list and that treatment benefits were maintained at follow-up. Despite a failure to demonstrate differences among groups, there was some suggestion that immediately after treatment EMD was superior for intrusive memories.

Journal

English

Kevin Vaughan
Michael Armstrong
Ruth Gold
Nicholas O'Connor
William Jenneke
Nicholas Tarrier

Vaughan, K., Armstrong, M., Gold, R., O'Connor, N., Jenneke, W., & Tarrier, N. (1994, December). A trial of eye movement desensitization compared to image habituation training and applied muscle relaxation in post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 25(4), 283-291. doi:10.1016/0005-7916(94)90036-1