Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: The state of the art of efficacy in children and adolescent with post traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Background: PTSD in youth is more common and debilitating than it was previously thought. This untreated condition is highly correlated to critical mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety disruptive-behaviours, and substance use disorders. Despite the growing number of studies investigating Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in childhood and adolescent, results have not been systematically revised since 2017. The aim of this work is to systematically reviewed all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of EMDR on PTSD symptoms in children and adolescent and asses whether EMDR therapy was effective to improve anxious and/or depressive symptoms.

Methods: In a short series of articles, we will review the efficacy of EMDR on children and adolescent with PTSD and comorbid symptoms. The present brief review will focus on randomized controlled trials with an EMDR group condition compared to a control group published until January 2020.

Results: eight studies (n = 150) met our inclusion criteria. Preliminary analyses showed that EMDR has a comparable efficacy to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in reducing PTSD, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms and was superior to waitlist/placebo condition. Moreover EMDR seems to be more effective in a shorter period of time.

Conclusion: despite the small number of studies, the preliminary results suggest that EMDR therapy could be an effective treatment for children and adolescent with PTSD and anxious and/or depressive symptoms. Further research is needed to support these results.