Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Exploring the Use of Isolated Expressions and Film Clips to Evaluate Emotion Recognition by People with Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: May 15, 2016
Do persons with intellectual disability and limited verbal capacities respond to trauma treatment?
Liesbeth Mevissen1, Reinout Lievegoed, Andrew Seubert
1Accare, Deventer, the Netherlands. l.mevissen@accare.nl
Background:
There is not one case report of successful trauma treatment with the use of an evidence-based treatment method in people with substantially limited verbal capacities. This paper assessed the applicability of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) in two clients with moderate ID, serious behavioural problems, and histories of negative life events.
Method:
The 8-phase protocol of EMDR, a first-line treatment for psychological trauma, was applied.
Results:
In both cases, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms decreased in a total of only 6 and 5 sessions, respectively. Gains were maintained at 32 and 10 months' follow-up.
Conclusions:
EMDR seems to be an applicable psychological trauma treatment for persons with limited verbal capacities. Considering the importance of these findings, further and more rigorous research is required.
Related Concept Videos
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
Intellectual Disability
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychotherapy

