Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for the treatment of psychosis: a systematic review
Background: Psychosis is a public health concern. There is increasing evidence suggesting trauma can play a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of psychosis. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for trauma and could be a vital addition to the tre...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2020-12-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1711349 |
| _version_ | 1797954515101548544 |
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| author | Rosie Adams Sally Ohlsen Emily Wood |
| author_facet | Rosie Adams Sally Ohlsen Emily Wood |
| author_sort | Rosie Adams |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Psychosis is a public health concern. There is increasing evidence suggesting trauma can play a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of psychosis. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for trauma and could be a vital addition to the treatment of psychosis. Objective: To explore the evidence for EMDR as a treatment for psychosis, focussing on the safety, effectiveness and acceptability of this intervention for this population. Methods: Four databases (Cochrane, EMBASE, MEDLINE PsychINFO), and the Francine Shapiro Library were systematically searched, along with grey literature and reference lists of relevant papers. No date limits were applied as this is an area of emerging evidence. Studies were screened for eligibility based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The included studies were quality assessed and data was extracted from the individual studies, and synthesized using a narrative synthesis approach. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria (1 RCT, 2 Pilot studies, 2 Case series and 1 Case report). Across the studies EMDR was associated with reductions in delusional and negative symptoms, mental health service and medication use. Evidence for reductions in auditory hallucinations and paranoid thinking was mixed. No adverse events were reported, although initial increases in psychotic symptoms were observed in two studies. Average dropout rates across the studies were comparable to other trauma-focused treatments for PTSD. The acceptability of EMDR was not adequately measured or reported. Conclusion: EMDR appears a safe and feasible intervention for people with psychosis. The evidence is currently insufficient to determine the effectiveness and acceptability of the intervention for this population. Larger confirmative trials are required to form more robust conclusions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T23:19:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6d5ede173f794bb2b619a140f0635ab3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2000-8066 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T23:19:50Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
| spelling | doaj.art-6d5ede173f794bb2b619a140f0635ab32023-01-12T15:31:31ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology2000-80662020-12-0111110.1080/20008198.2019.17113491711349Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for the treatment of psychosis: a systematic reviewRosie Adams0Sally Ohlsen1Emily Wood2The University of SheffieldThe University of SheffieldThe University of SheffieldBackground: Psychosis is a public health concern. There is increasing evidence suggesting trauma can play a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of psychosis. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for trauma and could be a vital addition to the treatment of psychosis. Objective: To explore the evidence for EMDR as a treatment for psychosis, focussing on the safety, effectiveness and acceptability of this intervention for this population. Methods: Four databases (Cochrane, EMBASE, MEDLINE PsychINFO), and the Francine Shapiro Library were systematically searched, along with grey literature and reference lists of relevant papers. No date limits were applied as this is an area of emerging evidence. Studies were screened for eligibility based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The included studies were quality assessed and data was extracted from the individual studies, and synthesized using a narrative synthesis approach. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria (1 RCT, 2 Pilot studies, 2 Case series and 1 Case report). Across the studies EMDR was associated with reductions in delusional and negative symptoms, mental health service and medication use. Evidence for reductions in auditory hallucinations and paranoid thinking was mixed. No adverse events were reported, although initial increases in psychotic symptoms were observed in two studies. Average dropout rates across the studies were comparable to other trauma-focused treatments for PTSD. The acceptability of EMDR was not adequately measured or reported. Conclusion: EMDR appears a safe and feasible intervention for people with psychosis. The evidence is currently insufficient to determine the effectiveness and acceptability of the intervention for this population. Larger confirmative trials are required to form more robust conclusions.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1711349emdrpsychosistraumasystematic reviewpsychological intervention |
| spellingShingle | Rosie Adams Sally Ohlsen Emily Wood Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for the treatment of psychosis: a systematic review European Journal of Psychotraumatology emdr psychosis trauma systematic review psychological intervention |
| title | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for the treatment of psychosis: a systematic review |
| title_full | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for the treatment of psychosis: a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for the treatment of psychosis: a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for the treatment of psychosis: a systematic review |
| title_short | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for the treatment of psychosis: a systematic review |
| title_sort | eye movement desensitization and reprocessing emdr for the treatment of psychosis a systematic review |
| topic | emdr psychosis trauma systematic review psychological intervention |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1711349 |
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