title: Internet-delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (iEMDR): an open trial.
abstract: Recent research indicates internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) can reduce symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined the efficacy of an internet-delivered treatment protocol that combined iCBT and internet-delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (iEMDR), in an uncontrolled trial. Eleven of the 15 participants completed post-treatment questionnaires. Large effect sizes were found from pre-treatment to 3-month follow-up ( d = 1.03 - 1.61) on clinician-assessed and self-reported measures of PTSD, anxiety and distress, with moderate effect sizes ( d = 0.59 - 0.70) found on measures of depression and disability. At post-treatment, 55% of the participants no longer met criteria for PTSD and this was sustained at follow-up. Symptom worsening occurred in 3 of 15 (20%) of the sample from pre- to post-treatment; however, these participants reported overall symptom improvement by follow-up. Future research directions for iEMDR are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spence
authors.affiliation: Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Nickolai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Titov
authors.affiliation: Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Blake F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Dear
authors.affiliation: Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Bethany
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wootton
authors.affiliation: Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terides
authors.affiliation: Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zou