Comparing trauma-focused CBT and EMDR in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder: A randomized trial

Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) were compared in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on session by session subjective distress and the influence of depressive symptoms, social support and negative (trauma-related) cognitions. This parallel randomized trial included participants (18-70 years) from three outpatient clinics in the Netherlands which had a PTSD diagnosis or subthreshold symptoms. 15 participants were randomized to each group and 14 (TF-CBT) and 15 (EMDR) participants were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA’s and multilevel modelling. PTSD symptoms and subjective distress decreased comparably in both treatments. The decrease in PTSD symptoms was higher in patients with more depressive symptoms. Social support and negative cognitions did not influence the decrease of PTSD symptoms. No patient characteristics were found that would guide the choice for either TF-CBT or EMDR and therefore, following current recommendations from clinical guidelines is advised. This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT00716638).

Dissertation/Thesis

English

M. H. J. Vogelaar

Vogelaar, M. H. J. (2019). Comparing trauma-focused CBT and EMDR in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder: A randomized trial. (Master's thesis, Utrecht University)