Treatment outcome of fluoxetine vs. EMDR in PTSD
Description
Treatment Outcome Studies of PTSD: This symposium presents three large carefully controlled treatment outcome studies using four different treatment modalities (CBT, EMDR, psychopharmacology and Cognitive Processing) and presents data on comparative efficacy, treatment responsiveness and resistance, effects on comorbidity, quality of life, and biological changes that accompany symptom improvement.
Treatment outcome of fluoxetine vs. EMDR in PTSD: This NIMH funded study compared the efficacy of two widely different treatment approaches for treating patients with PTSD: fluoxetine, which acts directly on biological systems (N=30), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) (N=30). There also was a pill placebo control group (N=30). We assessed subjects with a multi-modal biological and psychological assessment, in order to determine whether treatment efficacy is associated with changes: 1) social adjustment, 2) psychophysiological reactivity to personalized trauma scripts (heart rate and skin conductance), and 3) basal salivary cortisol. We also tracked the stability of symptom change for nine months following the cessation of active treatment. Preliminary results suggest that at the end of 8 weeks of treatment, there is a 30% improvement in the pill placebo condition, while both active treatments demonstrate additional symptom improvement, with EMDR being most effective for the treatment of acute PTSD, and Prozac for subjects with prolonged childhood histories of trauma. Clinically significant improvement in CAPS scores is accompanied by an increase in basal cortisol and improvement in social and occupational functioning. We will also present data on the differential rates of symptom change in the different PTSD symptom clusters between the two treatment groups during the nine months of follow- up after cessation of the acute treatment phase.
Treatment outcome of fluoxetine vs. EMDR in PTSD: This NIMH funded study compared the efficacy of two widely different treatment approaches for treating patients with PTSD: fluoxetine, which acts directly on biological systems (N=30), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) (N=30). There also was a pill placebo control group (N=30). We assessed subjects with a multi-modal biological and psychological assessment, in order to determine whether treatment efficacy is associated with changes: 1) social adjustment, 2) psychophysiological reactivity to personalized trauma scripts (heart rate and skin conductance), and 3) basal salivary cortisol. We also tracked the stability of symptom change for nine months following the cessation of active treatment. Preliminary results suggest that at the end of 8 weeks of treatment, there is a 30% improvement in the pill placebo condition, while both active treatments demonstrate additional symptom improvement, with EMDR being most effective for the treatment of acute PTSD, and Prozac for subjects with prolonged childhood histories of trauma. Clinically significant improvement in CAPS scores is accompanied by an increase in basal cortisol and improvement in social and occupational functioning. We will also present data on the differential rates of symptom change in the different PTSD symptom clusters between the two treatment groups during the nine months of follow- up after cessation of the acute treatment phase.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
van der Kolk, B. A., Hopper, J., Spinazzola, J., Blaustein, M., Hopper, E., & Simpson, W. (2003, October/November). Treatment outcome of fluoxetine vs. EMDR in PTSD. Symposium conducted (B. A. van der Kolk, Chair) at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 19th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL
Citation
“Treatment outcome of fluoxetine vs. EMDR in PTSD,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 14, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/18974.