Event-related potentials and EMDR treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Ten patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a severe traumatic event, were assessed with event-related brain potentials (ERPs) in a modified oddball paradigm containing auditory standard, target, and novel tones. ERPs were assessed before and after a treatment session using the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing method. Compared to a control group that underwent sham treatment, ERPs of the patients showed a reduction of the P3a component in the post-treatment recording, suggesting a reduced orienting to novel stimuli and reduced arousal level after the treatment. Moreover, psychometric assessment revealed a marked improvement of the PTSD symptoms after treatment.
Lamprecht
Friedhelm
F
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Köhnke
Christine
C
Lempa
Wolfgang
W
Sack
Martin
M
Matzke
Mike
M
Münte
Thomas F
TF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic / Q000379:methods*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices