Randomized controlled trial for the use of EMDR-IGTP-OTS-R with mental health professionals in Ukraine
Description
Background and Aims
The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to demonstrate the efficacy, efficiency, and feasibility of the EMDR-IGTP-OTS-R [1] in the reduction of PTSD symptoms and increase in subjective well-being and resilience in 50 mental health professionals living and working in Ukraine during the Russia/Ukraine war. The EMDR-IGTP-OTS has previously shown treatment benefits in on-going traumatic stress situations [2-4]. A total of 12 applications of the EMDR-IGTP-OTS-R were administered [1], six with the treatment group (TG) and six with the control group (CG)
Method
The worst experience of the entire war experience was identified and targeted with the intervention [1,2,3]. This study consisted of three assessment times of the TG (pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up) with an additional two assessment times with the CG (post-test & follow-up). The instruments applied at all assessment times were the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) [6], Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) [7], Ways of Religious Coping Scale (WORCS) [8], WHO Wellbeing scale (WHO-5) [9], and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) [10-12].
Results
Results showed a significant reduction of scores on the PCL-5 between the TG and CG from pre-treatment to follow-up. No significance was found on the other measures between the groups. The control group showed a significant decrease in scores on the PCL-5 from pre-treatment to post-treatment and follow up after receiving treatment with the EMDR-IGTP-OTS-R.
Conclusions
Results suggest that the EMDR-IGTP-OTS-R is an effective treatment for the reduction of PTSD symptoms even during an ongoing traumatic stress situation, such as war. To enhance the robustness of this study, we suggest an RCT with a larger sample size, and three- and six- month follow-up.
The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to demonstrate the efficacy, efficiency, and feasibility of the EMDR-IGTP-OTS-R [1] in the reduction of PTSD symptoms and increase in subjective well-being and resilience in 50 mental health professionals living and working in Ukraine during the Russia/Ukraine war. The EMDR-IGTP-OTS has previously shown treatment benefits in on-going traumatic stress situations [2-4]. A total of 12 applications of the EMDR-IGTP-OTS-R were administered [1], six with the treatment group (TG) and six with the control group (CG)
Method
The worst experience of the entire war experience was identified and targeted with the intervention [1,2,3]. This study consisted of three assessment times of the TG (pre-treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up) with an additional two assessment times with the CG (post-test & follow-up). The instruments applied at all assessment times were the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) [6], Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) [7], Ways of Religious Coping Scale (WORCS) [8], WHO Wellbeing scale (WHO-5) [9], and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) [10-12].
Results
Results showed a significant reduction of scores on the PCL-5 between the TG and CG from pre-treatment to follow-up. No significance was found on the other measures between the groups. The control group showed a significant decrease in scores on the PCL-5 from pre-treatment to post-treatment and follow up after receiving treatment with the EMDR-IGTP-OTS-R.
Conclusions
Results suggest that the EMDR-IGTP-OTS-R is an effective treatment for the reduction of PTSD symptoms even during an ongoing traumatic stress situation, such as war. To enhance the robustness of this study, we suggest an RCT with a larger sample size, and three- and six- month follow-up.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Quaranta-Leech, A., Mainthow, N., Zaporozhets, O., Jarero, I., & Holland, D. (2025, May). Randomized controlled trial for the use of EMDR-IGTP-OTS-R with mental health professionals in Ukraine. Presentation at the 25th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Prague, Austria
Collection
Citation
“Randomized controlled trial for the use of EMDR-IGTP-OTS-R with mental health professionals in Ukraine,” Francine Shapiro Legacy Library, accessed May 14, 2026, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/29748.