title: A single session, group study of exposure and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Vietnam War veterans: preliminary data.
abstract: This report summarizes data gathered thus far from an ongoing study. Two groups (total N = 12) of Vietnam War veterans diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) received a single session of exposure or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) focusing on the veterans' most distressing war experience. Group assignment was random, treatment providers were blind to assessment data, and the pre- and posttreatment assessor was blind to treatment assignment. Both groups showed improvement on the Impact of Event Scale. EMDR treatment resulted in greater positive changes in within-session Subjective Units of Discomfort levels and on self-monitored severity of intrusive recollection. A trend toward decreased heart rate reactivity was observed in both groups. Results must be considered carefully due to the small number of subjects used in the study.
authors.affiliation: PTSD Program, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320, USA. rogers.susan@coatesville.va.gov
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goss
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Obenchain
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Whitney
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012438:Saccades; D016896:Treatment Outcome