Feasibility of intensive eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for adults with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning and posttraumatic stress disorder in a tertiary mental health care setting: A nonconcurrent single-case design study
Description
Introduction
Adults with mild intellectual disability (MID; IQ 50–70) or borderline intellectual functioning (BIF; IQ 70–85) are at elevated risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Evidence for intensive trauma-focused treatment in this group is scarce, whereas studies in people without intellectual disabilities suggest that intensive formats improve treatment efficiency and reduce drop-out. This study examined the feasibility, potential effectiveness, and safety of intensive Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for adults with MID-BIF, PTSD, and complex comorbidities in tertiary mental health care.
Methods
A nonconcurrent single-case A – B – A design was applied. Six adults received up to 16 EMDR sessions across four weeks, delivered by rotating therapists during a brief inpatient admission including an activation program. PTSD symptoms, diagnosis, and adverse events were assessed.
Results
Five participants showed significant PTSD symptom reduction; three no longer met diagnostic criteria. All completed treatment without drop-out or adverse events.
Conclusion
Intensive EMDR appears feasible, safe, and potentially effective for adults with MID-BIF and PTSD in tertiary care.
Adults with mild intellectual disability (MID; IQ 50–70) or borderline intellectual functioning (BIF; IQ 70–85) are at elevated risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Evidence for intensive trauma-focused treatment in this group is scarce, whereas studies in people without intellectual disabilities suggest that intensive formats improve treatment efficiency and reduce drop-out. This study examined the feasibility, potential effectiveness, and safety of intensive Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for adults with MID-BIF, PTSD, and complex comorbidities in tertiary mental health care.
Methods
A nonconcurrent single-case A – B – A design was applied. Six adults received up to 16 EMDR sessions across four weeks, delivered by rotating therapists during a brief inpatient admission including an activation program. PTSD symptoms, diagnosis, and adverse events were assessed.
Results
Five participants showed significant PTSD symptom reduction; three no longer met diagnostic criteria. All completed treatment without drop-out or adverse events.
Conclusion
Intensive EMDR appears feasible, safe, and potentially effective for adults with MID-BIF and PTSD in tertiary care.
Format
Journal
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Bierman, T., Versluis, A., Korzilius, H., & Didden , R. (18 Jan 2026). Feasibility of intensive eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for adults with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning and posttraumatic stress disorder in a tertiary mental health care setting: A nonconcurrent single-case design study. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315864.2026.2618075
Collection
Citation
“Feasibility of intensive eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for adults with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning and posttraumatic stress disorder in a tertiary mental health care setting: A nonconcurrent single-case design study,” Francine Shapiro Legacy Library, accessed May 16, 2026, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/30434.