Group EMDR interventions in adults and children: A systematic review of randomised and non‐randomised trials

This review systematically synthesised existing literature on group protocols of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for treating a range of mental health difficulties in adults and children. We conducted database searches on PsychINFO, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and Francine Shapiro Library up to May 2020, using PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they used at least one standardized outcome measure, if they present a quantitative data on the effect of group EMDR protocols on mental health difficulties and if they were published in English. Twenty‐two studies with 1739 participants were included. Thirteen studies examined EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (IGTP) protocol, 4 studies examined EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G‐TEP), 4 studies EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress and one study considered EMDR Group Protocol with Children. Of the 22 studies included, 12 were one‐arm trials and 10 were two‐arm trials. We assessed risk of bias using a revised Tool to Assess Risk of Bias in Randomized Trials (ROB 2) and Risk of Bias in Non‐randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS‐I). Overall, the results suggested that Group EMDR protocols might be an effective tool in improving a wide range of mental health‐related outcomes including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. However, the included studies are limited to methodological challenges. The limitations and future directions are discussed.

Journal

English

Safa Kemal Kaptan
Busra Ozen Dursun
Mark Knowles
Nusrat Husain
Filippo Varese

Kaptan, S. K., Dursun, B. O., Knowles, M., Husain, N., & Varese, F. (in press). Group EMDR interventions in adults and children: A systematic review of randomised and non‐randomised trials.  Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 28(4), 784-806. doi:10.1002/cpp.2549