Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of eye movement desensitization reprocessing on addiction cravings in adults with substance use disorder: Pilot study
Description
Addiction is a pervasive health and economic issue in the United States. Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured and client-centered intervention that can be a useful addition to a comprehensive treatment plan for clients with substance use disorder. However, little research has explored EMDR and its effects on addiction.
The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of conducting EMDR and to test its effects on cravings and perseverations associated with addiction and irrational cognitions related to addiction compared to treatment as usual (TAU).
This study used a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with an experimental group (EMDR + TAU) and a control group (TAU only). With nonprobability convenience sampling, participants were recruited from a residential program or a partial hospitalization program (PHP) with AION Health Group in Palm Beach County, Florida. Thirty participants at the treatment center were randomly assigned 1:1 to either the experimental group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15). The vi control group received TAU, comprised of weekly individual and group therapy sessions. The reliability of each instrument for measuring outcome variables showed high internal consistency reliability, with Cronbach’s α > .90.
It was found that 96.7% of the participants completed the four-session 60-minute EMDR intervention and post-intervention data collection, 100% adhered to the intervention (missing no more than two of four sessions), and 98.33% completed all four sessions. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance indicated significant reductions in cravings, perseverative thoughts about substance of choice, and irrational cognitions among participants in both the experimental and control groups during the intervention period; there was no significant difference between groups.
It was concluded that it is feasible to provide EMDR sessions to patients with substance use disorders. For future efficacy trial research, it would be necessary to obtain a larger sample to secure sufficient power and follow-up data collection to assess sustainability of EMDR effects.
The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of conducting EMDR and to test its effects on cravings and perseverations associated with addiction and irrational cognitions related to addiction compared to treatment as usual (TAU).
This study used a two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with an experimental group (EMDR + TAU) and a control group (TAU only). With nonprobability convenience sampling, participants were recruited from a residential program or a partial hospitalization program (PHP) with AION Health Group in Palm Beach County, Florida. Thirty participants at the treatment center were randomly assigned 1:1 to either the experimental group (n = 15) or the control group (n = 15). The vi control group received TAU, comprised of weekly individual and group therapy sessions. The reliability of each instrument for measuring outcome variables showed high internal consistency reliability, with Cronbach’s α > .90.
It was found that 96.7% of the participants completed the four-session 60-minute EMDR intervention and post-intervention data collection, 100% adhered to the intervention (missing no more than two of four sessions), and 98.33% completed all four sessions. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance indicated significant reductions in cravings, perseverative thoughts about substance of choice, and irrational cognitions among participants in both the experimental and control groups during the intervention period; there was no significant difference between groups.
It was concluded that it is feasible to provide EMDR sessions to patients with substance use disorders. For future efficacy trial research, it would be necessary to obtain a larger sample to secure sufficient power and follow-up data collection to assess sustainability of EMDR effects.
Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Woodruff, E. (2022, May). Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of eye movement desensitization reprocessing on addiction cravings in adults with substance use disorder: Pilot study. (Doctoral dissertation, Florida Atlantic University)
Citation
“Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of eye movement desensitization reprocessing on addiction cravings in adults with substance use disorder: Pilot study,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 15, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/27405.