Internet-delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (iEMDR): an open trial

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) is effective for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Combining iCBT with internet-delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (iEMDR) may offer enhanced treatment efficacy.
• Uncontrolled trials are valuable for initial efficacy assessment of novel digital mental health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a combined internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) and internet-delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (iEMDR) protocol.
• To assess symptom reduction and remission rates for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in an uncontrolled trial.
• To examine the durability of treatment effects at 3-month follow-up.

Main Methods:

• An uncontrolled trial was conducted to assess the combined iCBT and iEMDR protocol.
• Participants completed pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up assessments.
• Clinician-assessed and self-reported measures of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and disability were utilized.

Main Results:

• Large effect sizes (d = 1.03–1.61) were observed for PTSD, anxiety, and distress from pre-treatment to 3-month follow-up.
• Moderate effect sizes (d = 0.59–0.70) were found for depression and disability.
• At post-treatment, 55% of participants no longer met PTSD criteria, with sustained remission at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• The combined iCBT and iEMDR protocol shows significant efficacy in reducing PTSD symptoms.
• The treatment benefits were sustained at 3-month follow-up, indicating durable effects.
• Further research into iEMDR for PTSD is warranted, considering potential for symptom worsening and subsequent improvement.