Group eye movement desensitization and reprocessing interventions in adults and children: A systematic review of randomised and non-randomised trials

This review systematically examined the literature on group protocols of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for treating a range of mental health difficulties. After a database searches on PsychINFO, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and Francine Shapiro Library up to May 2020, we included studies if they used at least one standardized outcome measure, if they present a quantitative data and if they were published in English. Thirteen studies examined EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (IGTP), 4 studies examined EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP), 4 studies EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress (IGTP-OTS) and one study considered EMDR Group Protocol with Children (GP/C). Overall, Even though randomised controlled studies are few and of low methodological quality, the emerging evidence suggests that group EMDR protocols significantly reduce symptoms of PTSD as the primary outcome. Significant improvements were shown also in depression, anxiety, and SUD level. However, given the methodological challenges, this review highlighted the need for studies with more robust study designs and larger sample size with validated tools and follow up assessments.

Conference

English

Safa Kemal Kaptan
Busra Dursun
Mark Knowles
Nusrat Husain
Filippo Varese

Kaptan, SD. K., Dursun, B., Knowles, M., Husain, N., & Varese, F. (2021, June). Group eye movement desensitization and reprocessing interventions in adults and children: A systematic review of randomised and non-randomised trials. Presentation at the 20th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Virtual