A randomized trial of virtual reality eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for major depressive disorder with childhood trauma: A 3-month follow-up study
Description
Objective
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is effective in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) with childhood trauma, and virtual reality (VR) can further extend its application form. However, the utilization of VR-EMDR in treating MDD with childhood trauma is still in its infancy, and whether it can improve depressive symptoms and traumatic experience remains unknown.
Method
Seventy-two MDD patients were randomly allocated to the intervention group and the wait-list control group on a 1:1 basis. The intervention group received 12-session VR-EMDR, while another group received no intervention. We used Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale–24 Version (24-HDRS) to assess the patient’s subjective and objective depressive symptoms, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Check List–Civilian (PCL-C) to assess the patient’s traumatic experience, the Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire, and the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery to assess the patient’s subjective and objective cognitive performance.
Results
After VR-EMDR, the linear mixed model revealed significantly lower scores in PHQ-9, 24-HDRS total and factor score (including anxiety/somatization, weight, and block), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Check List–Civilian, and Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire and significantly higher scores in information processing speed, attention/alertness, and working memory in the intervention group (p < .05). Improvements can be maintained in the 3-month follow-up, except for 24-HDRS anxiety/somatization factor score, which showed significantly higher scores in the 3-month follow-up compared with postintervention (p < .05).
Conclusions
VR-EMDR is effective in improving depressive symptoms, traumatic experience, and cognitive performance in MDD with childhood trauma. Part of the effects can be maintained 3 months after the intervention.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is effective in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) with childhood trauma, and virtual reality (VR) can further extend its application form. However, the utilization of VR-EMDR in treating MDD with childhood trauma is still in its infancy, and whether it can improve depressive symptoms and traumatic experience remains unknown.
Method
Seventy-two MDD patients were randomly allocated to the intervention group and the wait-list control group on a 1:1 basis. The intervention group received 12-session VR-EMDR, while another group received no intervention. We used Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (PHQ-9) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale–24 Version (24-HDRS) to assess the patient’s subjective and objective depressive symptoms, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Check List–Civilian (PCL-C) to assess the patient’s traumatic experience, the Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire, and the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery to assess the patient’s subjective and objective cognitive performance.
Results
After VR-EMDR, the linear mixed model revealed significantly lower scores in PHQ-9, 24-HDRS total and factor score (including anxiety/somatization, weight, and block), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Check List–Civilian, and Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire and significantly higher scores in information processing speed, attention/alertness, and working memory in the intervention group (p < .05). Improvements can be maintained in the 3-month follow-up, except for 24-HDRS anxiety/somatization factor score, which showed significantly higher scores in the 3-month follow-up compared with postintervention (p < .05).
Conclusions
VR-EMDR is effective in improving depressive symptoms, traumatic experience, and cognitive performance in MDD with childhood trauma. Part of the effects can be maintained 3 months after the intervention.
Original Work Citation
Yan, S., Zhong, S., Lyu, S., Lai, S., Zhang, Y., Luo, Y., Ran, H., Duan, M., & Jia, Y. (2025). A randomized trial of virtual reality eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for major depressive disorder with childhood trauma: A 3-month follow-up study. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. doi:10.1037/tra0001830
Collection
Citation
“A randomized trial of virtual reality eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for major depressive disorder with childhood trauma: A 3-month follow-up study,” Francine Shapiro Legacy Library, accessed December 9, 2025, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/29453.