Differential biological outcomes of EMDR and fluoxetine for 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.
Differential Biological Outcomes of EMDR and Fluoxetine for PTSD: Two major developments in PTSD research have been the development of effective treatments and the delineation of pathophysiology. While major gains have been made in both of these areas, they have occurred in parallel. There is a need for investigations of possible differential effects of different treatment modalities on biological aspects of PTSD. In this randomized controlled trial (N = 105), we compared the exposure treatment Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, the serotonergic reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine, and pill placebo for their effects on both PTSD symptoms and biological parameters. The outcome measures were severity of reexperiencing, avoidant/numbing, and hyperarousal symptoms; psychophysiological reactivity to script-driven imagery; basal salivary cortisol and dexamethasone suppression test (DST). At pre-treatment, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up, saliva samples were acquired at 8 a.m., 11 p.m. (immediately followed by dexamethasone) and 8 a.m.. Participants also underwent a script-driven imagery protocol utilizing four 30s scripts, each followed by a 60s script imaging period and 2 minute recovery periods (fixed order: neutral, trauma, neutral, trauma). Preliminary analyses partially support hypothesizes concerning differential efficacies of pharmacological and psychological treatments on different symptom clusters and biological markers of the disorder, at post-treatment and 3- month follow-up. Potential implications for treatment and future research will be discussed.
Differential Biological Outcomes of EMDR and Fluoxetine for PTSD: Two major developments in PTSD research have been the development of effective treatments and the delineation of pathophysiology. While major gains have been made in both of these areas, they have occurred in parallel. There is a need for investigations of possible differential effects of different treatment modalities on biological aspects of PTSD. In this randomized controlled trial (N = 105), we compared the exposure treatment Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, the serotonergic reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine, and pill placebo for their effects on both PTSD symptoms and biological parameters. The outcome measures were severity of reexperiencing, avoidant/numbing, and hyperarousal symptoms; psychophysiological reactivity to script-driven imagery; basal salivary cortisol and dexamethasone suppression test (DST). At pre-treatment, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up, saliva samples were acquired at 8 a.m., 11 p.m. (immediately followed by dexamethasone) and 8 a.m.. Participants also underwent a script-driven imagery protocol utilizing four 30s scripts, each followed by a 60s script imaging period and 2 minute recovery periods (fixed order: neutral, trauma, neutral, trauma). Preliminary analyses partially support hypothesizes concerning differential efficacies of pharmacological and psychological treatments on different symptom clusters and biological markers of the disorder, at post-treatment and 3- month follow-up. Potential implications for treatment and future research will be discussed.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Hopper, J., Spinazzola, J., Blaustein, M., Yehuda, R., van der Kolk, B. A., & Simpson, W. (2003, October-November). Differential biological outcomes of EMDR and fluoxetine for PTSD. In B. A. van der Kolk (Chair), Treatment outcome studies of PTSD. Symposium conducted at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 19th Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL
Citation
“Differential biological outcomes of EMDR and fluoxetine for PTSD,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 14, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/18975.