title: The Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy to Treat Symptoms Following Trauma in Timor Leste.
abstract: The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for treating trauma symptoms was examined in a postwar/conflict, developing nation, Timor Leste. Participants were 21 Timorese adults with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), assessed as those who scored ≥2 on the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ). Participants were treated with EMDR therapy. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist. Symptom changes post-EMDR treatment were compared to a stabilization control intervention period in which participants served as their own waitlist control. Sessions were 60-90 mins. The average number of sessions was 4.15 (SD = 2.06). Despite difficulties providing treatment cross-culturally (i.e., language barriers), EMDR therapy was followed by significant and large reductions in trauma symptoms (Cohen's d = 2.48), depression (d = 2.09), and anxiety (d = 1.77). At posttreatment, 20 (95.2%) participants scored below the HTQ PTSD cutoff of 2. Reliable reductions in trauma symptoms were reported by 18 participants (85.7%) posttreatment and 16 (76.2%) at 3-month follow-up. Symptoms did not improve during the control period. Findings support the use of EMDR therapy for treatment of adults with PTSD in a cross-cultural, postwar/conflict setting, and suggest that structured trauma treatments can be applied in Timor Leste.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Darwin University, Northern Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Guilhermina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Araujo
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Drummond
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic / Q000379:methods*; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D049648:Timor-Leste; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014850:Waiting Lists; D055815:Young Adult