Applying EMDR on children with PTSD.
OBJECTIVE
To find out child-adjusted protocol for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).


METHODS
Child-adjusted modification were made in the original adult-based protocol, and within-session measurements, when EMDR was used in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on thirty-three 6-16-year-old children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).


RESULTS
EMDR was applicable after certain modifications adjusted to the age and developmental level of the child. The average treatment effect size was largest on re-experiencing, and smallest on hyperarousal scale. The age of the child yielded no significant effects on the dependent variables in the study.


CONCLUSIONS
A child-adjusted protocol for EMDR is suggested after being applied in a RCT for PTSD among traumatized and psychosocially exposed children.
Ahmad
Abdulbaghi
A
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden. abdulbaghi.ahmad@bupinst.uu.se
Sundelin-Wahlsten
Viveka
V
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*