A stage 1 pilot cohort exploring the use of EMDR therapy as a video-conference psychotherapy during covid-19 – A proof of concept study utilising a virtual blind 2 therapist protocol
Description
Background
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact in the delivery of psychological treatment. Due to social distancing requirements provision moved to video-conferencing psychotherapy (VCP). There is a paucity of empirical data supporting the efficacy of EMDR therapy as a VCP. This stage 1 pilot study tested an EMDR therapy scripted protocol – Virtual Blind 2 Therapist (VB2T) as a VCP regarding 􀀂tness for purpose, distinctiveness, relevance, and efficiency.
Methods
Twenty-four participants were recruited to the study. The design included a one-session treatment intervention obtaining measures pre, post, one-month, and six-month follow-up. This treatment session used a ‘Blind 2 Therapist’ EMDR therapy scripted protocol as video-conference psychotherapy that involves non-disclosure of traumatic memory. The research explored the treatment effect on the core characteristics of the trauma memory including subjective disturbance, belief systems, memory intensity, vividness, and levels of emotionality. Additionally, the research explored participant’s experiences of adverse and benevolent childhood experiences (ACEs/BCEs) during their childhood.
Results
Regarding the four tests - ô€€‚tness for purpose, distinctiveness, relevance, and eô€€ciency results are favourably suggesting potential clinical beneô€€‚ts of using EMDR as video-conference psychotherapy. That said this is a proof-of-concept study showing positive results, however, no clinical population or control group was used. The purpose of the study is to explore the potential for scalability towards a larger clinical trial. The treatment intervention was achieved irrespective of either adverse or benevolent childhood experiences
(ACEs/BCEs) during childhood
Conclusion
The research tentatively supports the case for EMDR therapy as a credible treatment when used as a video conference psychotherapy. More research is needed to scale towards a clinical trial.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact in the delivery of psychological treatment. Due to social distancing requirements provision moved to video-conferencing psychotherapy (VCP). There is a paucity of empirical data supporting the efficacy of EMDR therapy as a VCP. This stage 1 pilot study tested an EMDR therapy scripted protocol – Virtual Blind 2 Therapist (VB2T) as a VCP regarding 􀀂tness for purpose, distinctiveness, relevance, and efficiency.
Methods
Twenty-four participants were recruited to the study. The design included a one-session treatment intervention obtaining measures pre, post, one-month, and six-month follow-up. This treatment session used a ‘Blind 2 Therapist’ EMDR therapy scripted protocol as video-conference psychotherapy that involves non-disclosure of traumatic memory. The research explored the treatment effect on the core characteristics of the trauma memory including subjective disturbance, belief systems, memory intensity, vividness, and levels of emotionality. Additionally, the research explored participant’s experiences of adverse and benevolent childhood experiences (ACEs/BCEs) during their childhood.
Results
Regarding the four tests - ô€€‚tness for purpose, distinctiveness, relevance, and eô€€ciency results are favourably suggesting potential clinical beneô€€‚ts of using EMDR as video-conference psychotherapy. That said this is a proof-of-concept study showing positive results, however, no clinical population or control group was used. The purpose of the study is to explore the potential for scalability towards a larger clinical trial. The treatment intervention was achieved irrespective of either adverse or benevolent childhood experiences
(ACEs/BCEs) during childhood
Conclusion
The research tentatively supports the case for EMDR therapy as a credible treatment when used as a video conference psychotherapy. More research is needed to scale towards a clinical trial.
Format
Other
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Farrell, D., Fadeeva, A., Zat, Z., Miller, P., Barron, I., Matthess, H. ... Kiernan, M. D. (2021, October). A stage 1 pilot cohort exploring the use of EMDR therapy as a video-conference psychotherapy during covid-19 – A proof of concept study utilising a virtual blind 2 therapist protocol. (Research Square, Research Article). doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-886940/v1
Citation
“A stage 1 pilot cohort exploring the use of EMDR therapy as a video-conference psychotherapy during covid-19 – A proof of concept study utilising a virtual blind 2 therapist protocol,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 17, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/27384.