Physical trauma patients with symptoms of acute stress: apilot feasibility study with eye movement desensitization andreprocessing (EMDR)
Description
Background
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an effective treatment for injury patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR in injury patients with acute stress disorder (ASD) has not been examined. Therefore, this study examined the feasibility of providing EMDR in injury patients with (subclinical) ASD during hospitalization. Secondly, changes in ASD scores between baseline and one month postinjury were evaluated.
Methods
Trauma patients who were treated in the shock room of the ETZ Hospital (Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis), Tilburg, The Netherlands, were asked to participate. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire on sociodemographics and ASD during hospitalization. EMDR was offered to patients with (subclinical) ASD. ASD was also measured directly after ending EMDR and one month after injury. Average changes in ASD between baseline and one month post-injury were evaluated with repeated measures ANOVA. Reliable Change Index (RCI) was subsequently used to determine, for each participant, whether ASD changes were statistically significant.
Results
In total, 29 trauma patients participated in this feasibility study (response rate = 31.5%). Six patients (20.7%) reported (subclinical) ASD at baseline, of whom two received EMDR. In total, 20 participants completed the follow-up questionnaire one month after injury. Except for employment status, no other significant differences were found between participants or between participants and non-participants. Although no significant change in ASD scores were found between baseline and one month post-injury, the RCI indicated an individual significant decrease of ASD in four participants between baseline and one month after injury. Two of these patients received EMDR.
Discussion
About a fifth of the patients in this pilot study reported (subclinical) ASD. Due to contra-indications and logistic problems, only two patients received EMDR. Although professionals believe in a positive effect of EMDR, logistic aspects of screening patients on ASD and providing EMDR as part of standard care needs further evaluation. Therefore, this study provides several implications for future research and clinical practice.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an effective treatment for injury patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR in injury patients with acute stress disorder (ASD) has not been examined. Therefore, this study examined the feasibility of providing EMDR in injury patients with (subclinical) ASD during hospitalization. Secondly, changes in ASD scores between baseline and one month postinjury were evaluated.
Methods
Trauma patients who were treated in the shock room of the ETZ Hospital (Elisabeth-TweeSteden Ziekenhuis), Tilburg, The Netherlands, were asked to participate. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire on sociodemographics and ASD during hospitalization. EMDR was offered to patients with (subclinical) ASD. ASD was also measured directly after ending EMDR and one month after injury. Average changes in ASD between baseline and one month post-injury were evaluated with repeated measures ANOVA. Reliable Change Index (RCI) was subsequently used to determine, for each participant, whether ASD changes were statistically significant.
Results
In total, 29 trauma patients participated in this feasibility study (response rate = 31.5%). Six patients (20.7%) reported (subclinical) ASD at baseline, of whom two received EMDR. In total, 20 participants completed the follow-up questionnaire one month after injury. Except for employment status, no other significant differences were found between participants or between participants and non-participants. Although no significant change in ASD scores were found between baseline and one month post-injury, the RCI indicated an individual significant decrease of ASD in four participants between baseline and one month after injury. Two of these patients received EMDR.
Discussion
About a fifth of the patients in this pilot study reported (subclinical) ASD. Due to contra-indications and logistic problems, only two patients received EMDR. Although professionals believe in a positive effect of EMDR, logistic aspects of screening patients on ASD and providing EMDR as part of standard care needs further evaluation. Therefore, this study provides several implications for future research and clinical practice.
Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Visser, E. (2021, OCtober). Physical trauma patients with symptoms of acute stress: a pilot feasibility study with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). (Doctoral dissertation, Tilburg University). In E. Visser (Ed.), Psychological Impact of Physical Trauma (pp. 176-192).
Citation
“Physical trauma patients with symptoms of acute stress: apilot feasibility study with eye movement desensitization andreprocessing (EMDR),” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 3, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/27076.