Applying EMDR on children with PTSD

Objective: To find out child-adjusted protocol for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Methods: Child-adjusted modification were made in the original adult-based protocol, and within-session measurements, when EMDR was used in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on thirty-three 6–16-year-old children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Results: EMDR was applicable after certain modifications adjusted to the age and developmental level of the child. The average treatment effect size was largest on re-experiencing, and smallest on hyperarousal scale. The age of the child yielded no significant effects on the dependent variables in the study. Conclusions: A child-adjusted protocol for EMDR is suggested after being applied in a RCT for PTSD among traumatized and psychosocially exposed children.

Journal

English

Abdulbaghi Ahmad
Viveka Sundelin-Wahlsten

Ahmad, A., & Sundelin-Wahlsten, V. (2007, September). Applying EMDR on children with PTSD. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 17(3), 127-132. doi:10.1007/s00787-007-0646-8