Predictors of treatment response in brief eclectic psychotherapy and EMDR

Although a large number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) in the treatment of PTSD, not every patient benefits equally from these treatments. Therefore, it is important to determine pretreatment characteristics that predict treatment response for EMDR and CBT. Data stem from a recent randomized clinical trial that compared EMDR (n = 70) to a form of CBT, Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEP; n = 70). Participants were outpatients who were referred to the Center for Psychological Trauma of the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam with a diagnosis of PTSD after various kinds of type I trauma. Primary outcome was PTSD symptomatology. Results of the trial indicated a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms and general anxiety for both conditions, with an earlier decrease of symptoms in EMDR compared to BEP. Variables associated with treatment dropout were younger age and non-Dutch ethnicity. Based on prior research findings on predictors, the predictive role of demographic characteristics (gender, age, ethnicity, level of education) and clinical characteristics (depression, trauma history, personality traits) on treatment response in BEP and EMDR is examined. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Conference

English

Mirjam Nijdam
Miranda Olff
Berthold Gersons

Nijdam, M., Olff, M., & Gersons, B. (2010, November). Predictors of treatment response in brief eclectic psychotherapy and EMDR. In Integrating psychoeducational, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic approaches: Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD (U. Schnyder Chair). Presentation at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 26th Annual Meeting, Montreal, ON