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Improving Infant Mental Health: A Pilot Study on the Effectiveness, Acceptability and Feasibility of Eye Movement

Eva S Potharst1,2, Petra Holtkamp3,4, Lily Walliser2

  • 1Academic Outpatient (Child and Adolescent) Treatment Center of the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Evaluation & the Health Professions
|October 23, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Storytelling is a feasible and acceptable treatment for infants with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Four of six infants showed reduced PTSD symptoms, indicating potential effectiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Pediatrics
  • Trauma Studies

Background:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are prevalent in infants, yet research on effective treatments is limited.
  • Interventions for PTSD are crucial for infants, mirroring the importance seen in older age groups.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Storytelling is a trauma-focused therapy utilized by clinicians for infants exhibiting PTSD symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of EMDR Storytelling for infants aged 3-24 months.
  • To assess initial indications of effectiveness for EMDR Storytelling in infants experiencing PTSD symptoms post-medical procedures.
  • To explore potential underlying cognitive and interactional mechanisms contributing to treatment benefits.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 6 infants aged 3-24 months with PTSD symptoms following medical procedures.
  • Personalized assessments administered daily during baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases to track PTSD symptoms.
  • Measurement of PTSD classification and symptom severity at multiple time points, with both visual and quantitative data analysis.

Main Results:

  • EMDR Storytelling was found to be feasible and acceptable for all participating families.
  • Parent and therapist reports indicated a significant reduction in PTSD classification and symptoms for four out of six infants.
  • Two infants showed mixed results, suggesting variability in treatment response.

Conclusions:

  • EMDR Storytelling demonstrates feasibility, acceptability, and promising initial effectiveness for infants with PTSD symptoms.
  • Further investigation into cognitive (language) and interactional (infant-parent) factors is warranted to understand treatment mechanisms.
  • The findings support EMDR Storytelling as a potential therapeutic option for early childhood trauma.

Keywords:
EMDR storytellingeye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)infantsinterventionpost-traumatic distresspost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)single case experimental design

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