Reducing trauma-related parental stress in neurodevelopmental disorders: a randomized feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

• Parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) experience significant chronic stress and trauma symptoms.
• Evidence-based psychological interventions for these caregivers are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the feasibility of the Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Integrative Group Treatment for Ongoing Traumatic Stress (EMDR-IGTP-OTS).
• To assess the effectiveness of EMDR-IGTP-OTS in reducing traumatic stress symptoms in parents of children with NDDs.

Main Methods:

• A pilot randomized feasibility study involving 34 parents of children with NDDs.
• Participants were assigned to either the EMDR-IGTP-OTS group intervention or a control condition.
• Data collected via questionnaires and therapeutic process diaries at pre-test, post-test, and 3-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in traumatic stress symptomatology were observed in the EMDR-IGTP-OTS group compared to the control.
• The number of sessions attended positively predicted the degree of symptom reduction.
• Qualitative analysis indicated high feasibility and increased positive aspects like agency and pleasant emotions.

Conclusions:

• The EMDR-IGTP-OTS is a feasible and promising intervention for reducing trauma-related parental stress in caregivers of children with NDDs.
• This group protocol is suitable for integration into clinical practice to support families facing trauma-related parenting challenges.