Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for post-stroke post-traumatic stress disorder: Case report using the...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Medically-induced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects up to 23% of stroke patients, worsening mental health and disability.
• PTSD following medical events may present uniquely, necessitating tailored treatment evaluations.
• There is a need to assess existing PTSD treatments, like EMDR, for post-stroke populations.

Observation:

• A case study investigated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD in a patient post-pontine stroke.
• The intervention was delivered via telehealth to a 44-year-old female patient using a quasi-experimental design.
• The patient underwent 3 EMDR sessions, with self-report measures and neuropsychological testing conducted at baseline, pre- and post-intervention.

Findings:

• Following 3 EMDR sessions, the patient no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
• Clinically significant reductions in depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms were observed.
• EMDR delivered via telehealth was feasible and safe, demonstrating efficacy in alleviating post-stroke PTSD.

Implications:

• Telehealth delivery of EMDR is a viable option for managing PTSD in post-stroke individuals, provided safety measures are in place.
• The reduced linguistic demands of EMDR may make it particularly suitable for patients with neurological conditions.
• Further research is required to identify neuropsychological factors influencing treatment response to EMDR in this population.