Preliminary results of data comparing EMDR to flooding

Preliminary Data was collected on a group of Vietnam veterans from10/20/97 to 9/1/98. All Subjects met criteria for PTSD according to DSM IV utilizing the CAPS scale. Patients were then randonly assigned to either the EMDR group or the Flooding group. One therapist completed one EMDR session on the patient’s Primary Combat Image; another therapist completed one session on the PCI using Flooding technique. The head nurse, blind to the treatment provided, met with each subject prior to group assignment and measured their Blood pressure and pulse using DINAMAP Blood Pressure Monitor. He then asked the subjects to keep a SUDS Scale on their PCI noting frequency and intensity for the next week. He also asked them to complete an Impact of Event Scale on their PCI. Subjects then received one session of EMDR or Flooding and were asked to keep a SUDS Scale on their PCI for another week. Subjects then returned to the head nurse, were asked to recall their PCI and blood pressure, pulse and SUDS and IES were again measured. Because of small cell sizes (EMDR =8, Flooding =10) treatment effects did not always reach Statistical significance. Nonetheless several differences were found between the two groups. ANOVA’s were performed using the changes in blood pressure and heart rate measured at a final assessment period during a baseline period and while recalling their PCI. For systolic blood pressure the EMDR group showed no change while the Flooding group increased by 9.2. For diastolic blood pressure the EMDR group declined an average of 3.3 while the Flooding group increased by 7.6. For heart rate, the EMDR group remained essentially unchanged while the Flooding group increased an average of 6.6.

Conference

English

John Obenchain
Susan Rogers
Steven Silver
Jeanne Goss

Obenchain, J., Rogers, S., Silver, S., & Goss, J. (1999, November). Preliminary results of data comparing EMDR to flooding. Poster presented at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 15th Annual Meeting, Miami, FL