The effectiveness of using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy on reducing the severity of symptoms among individuals diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review of literature to highlight the standardized therapy-based interventional protocol
| Date | 03 June 2024 |
| Pages | 1411-1431 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-04-2024-0057 |
| Published date | 03 June 2024 |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
| Author | Rabia H. Haddad,Bushra Kh. Alhusamiah,Razan H. Haddad,Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour,Younis H. Abuhashish,Jafar A. Alshraideh |
The effectiveness of using eye movement
desensitization and reprocessing therapy
on reducing the severity of symptoms
among individuals diagnosed with
post-traumatic stress disorder: a
systematic review of literature to highlight
the standardized therapy-based
interventional protocol
Rabia H. Haddad, Bushra Kh. Alhusamiah, Razan H. Haddad, Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour,
Younis H. Abuhashish and Jafar A. Alshraideh
Abstract
Purpose –This systematic review (SR) aimsto evaluate and summarize the effectiveness of using eye
movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) intervention among individuals diagnosed with
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as to highlight the standardized EMDR-based
interventionalprotocol.
Design/methodology/approach –This SR is guidedaccording to preferred reporting items forSRs and
meta-analyses standards.Several online databases were used in searching for eligible studies in peer-
reviewed journals relevant to the study keywords. The included studies were SRs and clinical trials that
used EMDR interventions amongpatients experiencing PTSD symptoms, older than 18years and were
published in Englishlanguage from 2015 to 2022. Three researchers independentlycontributed to study
selections, data extractionand study evaluations from different aspects, including quality assessment,
risk of biasand study synthesis.
Findings –A total of eight published studiesmet the inclusion criteria and were included in this SR; four
articles were randomized controlled trials and four were SR and meta-analysis studies. In all included
studies, the EMDRwas used as a primary psychotherapy intervention for PTSD symptoms.The results of
this extensive and comprehensive review showed that EMDR is an effective psychotherapeutic
interventionto reduce and control the severity ofsymptoms among individuals with PTSD.
Research limitations/implications –It is important to acknowledge several limitations inherent in this
study. First and foremost,it is noteworthy to mention that only studies conducted in the English language
were included in this review, potentially restricting the overall scope and diversity of the findings.
Furthermore, the number of studies incorporated into this review was limited, which may have
implications for the comprehensiveness and generalizability of the results. Finally,it is worth noting that
certain studies within this review had a relatively small sample size, which could potentially limit the
statisticalpower and precision of the conclusionsdrawn.
(Informationabout the
authorscan be found at the
end of this article.)
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-04-2024-0057 VOL. 28 NO. 6 2024, pp. 1411-1431, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 jMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION jPAGE 1411
Practical implications –This paper, a review of the literature,gives an overview of EMDR effectiveness,
provides baseline information and plays a significant role in decreasing the gap in Jordanian literature
regarding using EMDR as the strongest evident psychotherapy approach for PTSD treatment to help
psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nursesin the health-care sectors to design comprehensive
strategiesto enhance and improve the qualityof health care and patients’ status.
Social implications –EMDR intervention offers significant alternative treatment opportunities for
individuals suffering from PTSD, depression and anxiety. The implementation of EMDR for
depression, anxiety and PTSD improves patient outcomes as c ompared to standard therapeutic
modalities in PTSD.
Originality/value –This SR gives an overview and explains strong supportive evidence for the
effectiveness of EMDR interventions among individuals with PTSD. Therefore, EMDR therapy could
be assumed as one standard treatment option for PTSD, aiming at reducing treatment duration and
cost of treatment and restoring the mental well-being and functionality of those suffering from
PTSD.
Keywords Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR),
Model adaptive information processing model
Paper type Literature review
List of abbreviations
EMDR = eye movement desensitization and reprocessing;
PTSD = post-traumatic stress disorder;
CBT = cognitive behavioral therapy;
SR = systematic review; and
RCT = randomized controlled trial.
Plain language summary
Why was the study done?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a global-concern mental illness that occurs
because of exposure to a traumatic life experience such as a natural disaster, a severe
accident, or a physical or sexual assault in adulthood or childhood. The consequences
of PTSD warrant mental health professionals to find effective interventions to maintain
and restore mental well-being. Therefore, the selection of interventions is a cornerstone
element in deciding successful interventions. Research using validated screening
measures assessed whether this was sustained during the contemporary era. Yet,
these studies have not been brought together in an organized manner to offer an
inclusive summary of this evidence.
What did the researchers do?
We reviewed literature examining the effectiveness of using eye movement
desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) intervention among patients diagnosed
with PTSD to assess the role of EMDR in reducing the severi ty of symptoms in
patients with PTSD and to highlight the standardized EMDR-based interventional
protocol.
What did the researchers find?
Eight studies were identified. Most studies indicated that EMDR was used as a primary
psychotherapy intervention for PTSD symptoms. The results of this extensive and
comprehensive review showed that EMDR is an effective psychotherapeutic
PAGE 1412 jMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION jVOL. 28 NO. 6 2024
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