Use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in earthquake affected women: A series of cases of post traumatic stress in physically injured persons

Objective Main objective is to study the therapeutic responses of EMDR on the survivors of earthquake North of Pakistan in Kashmir. This study is carried on the spinal injury patients of National Institute Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM), which is a 160 bed hospital in Islamabad. It has a spinal injury unit which established after the earthquake in February 2006. All the female patients suffering from spinal injury earthquake were shifted here. Physically injured patients who also fulfilled the criteria of PTSD according ICD10 were offered the treatment with EMDR. Patients who consented were seen by EMDR practitioner(level 2). Sessions of EMDR as per protocol of 8 stages were carried out. The number of sessions varied according severity of illness and degree of improvement. EMDR practitioner was supervised by EMDR consultants through email and telephony. It is a part of ongoing EMDR training programme. Paper also discusses the problems while seeing patients and benefits of distance supervision. It also describe case study of 2 patients. Initially 15 patients consented for treatment. However 10 patients completed the sessions and showed improvements their symptoms. Their weeping and sleep problems settled. Their social and interpersonal functioning improved. Marked reduction is seen in level of distress. EMDR has proven to be an effective non pharmacological intervention in terms of PTSD in people suffering from co-morbid physical and psychological conditions earthquake. Data presented is only preliminary and based on a small number out of a large segment.

Conference

English

Tahir, K., Tareen, S., & Keenan, P. (2008, June). Use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in earthquake affected women: A series of cases of post traumatic stress in physically injured persons. Poster presented at the 9th EMDR Europe Association Conference, London, England