A Stage 1 Pilot Cohort Exploring the Use of EMDR Therapy as a Videoconference Psychotherapy During COVID-19 With Frontline Mental Health Workers: A Proof of Concept Study Utilising a Virtual Blind 2 Therapist Protocol
ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the delivery of psychological treatment. Due to social distancing requirements, the provision moved to videoconferencing psychotherapy (VCP). There is a paucity of empirical data supporting the efficacy of EMDR therapy as a VCP. This stage 1 p...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-07-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.901855/full |
| _version_ | 1818470105356435456 |
|---|---|
| author | Derek Farrell Anastasia Fadeeva Zeynep Zat Lorraine Knibbs Paul Miller Ian Barron Helga Matthess Cordula Matthess Neta Gazit Matthew D. Kiernan |
| author_facet | Derek Farrell Anastasia Fadeeva Zeynep Zat Lorraine Knibbs Paul Miller Ian Barron Helga Matthess Cordula Matthess Neta Gazit Matthew D. Kiernan |
| author_sort | Derek Farrell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the delivery of psychological treatment. Due to social distancing requirements, the provision moved to videoconferencing psychotherapy (VCP). There is a paucity of empirical data supporting the efficacy of EMDR therapy as a VCP. This stage 1 pilot study tested an EMDR therapy scripted protocol, such as Virtual Blind 2 Therapist (VB2Tr), on frontline mental health workers as a VCP regarding fitness for purpose, distinctiveness, relevance, and efficiency.MethodsA total of 24 participants were recruited for the study. The design included a one-session treatment intervention with pre, post, 1-month, and 6-month follow-up (FU) measurements. This treatment session used a “Blind 2 Therapist” EMDR therapy scripted protocol as videoconference psychotherapy that involves non-disclosure of traumatic memory. The research explored the treatment effect on the core characteristics of trauma memory, including subjective disturbance, belief systems, memory intensity (MI), vividness, and levels of emotionality. Additionally, the research explored participants’ experiences of adverse and benevolent childhood experiences (ACEs/BCEs) during their childhood.ResultsRegarding the four tests, namely, fitness for purpose, distinctiveness, relevance, and efficiency, results are favourably suggesting potential clinical benefits of using EMDR as videoconference psychotherapy. Although this is a proof-of-concept study showing positive results, no clinical population or control group was used. The purpose of the study is to explore the potential for scalability toward a larger clinical trial. The treatment intervention was achieved irrespective of either ACEs/BCEs during childhood.ConclusionThe research tentatively supports the case for EMDR therapy as a credible treatment when used as video conference psychotherapy and in using the Blind 2 Therapist protocol. However, more research is needed to scale toward a clinical trial.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinical Trial Registration:https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12099530, identifier ISRCTN12099530. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T21:33:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6fd2647e5fbb4667892054d4ba9529b1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T21:33:22Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-6fd2647e5fbb4667892054d4ba9529b12022-12-22T02:29:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782022-07-011310.3389/fpsyg.2022.901855901855A Stage 1 Pilot Cohort Exploring the Use of EMDR Therapy as a Videoconference Psychotherapy During COVID-19 With Frontline Mental Health Workers: A Proof of Concept Study Utilising a Virtual Blind 2 Therapist ProtocolDerek Farrell0Anastasia Fadeeva1Zeynep Zat2Lorraine Knibbs3Paul Miller4Ian Barron5Helga Matthess6Cordula Matthess7Neta Gazit8Matthew D. Kiernan9Department for Violence Prevention, Trauma and Criminology (VPTC), School of Psychology, University of Worcester, Worcester, United KingdomNorthern Hub for Veteran and Military Families’ Research, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomDepartment for Violence Prevention, Trauma and Criminology (VPTC), School of Psychology, University of Worcester, Worcester, United KingdomDepartment for Violence Prevention, Trauma and Criminology (VPTC), School of Psychology, University of Worcester, Worcester, United KingdomMirabilis Health Institute, Newtownabbey, United KingdomCentre for International Education, College of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United StatesDepartment for Violence Prevention, Trauma and Criminology (VPTC), School of Psychology, University of Worcester, Worcester, United KingdomDepartment for Violence Prevention, Trauma and Criminology (VPTC), School of Psychology, University of Worcester, Worcester, United KingdomremotEMDR, Arbel, IsraelNorthern Hub for Veteran and Military Families’ Research, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the delivery of psychological treatment. Due to social distancing requirements, the provision moved to videoconferencing psychotherapy (VCP). There is a paucity of empirical data supporting the efficacy of EMDR therapy as a VCP. This stage 1 pilot study tested an EMDR therapy scripted protocol, such as Virtual Blind 2 Therapist (VB2Tr), on frontline mental health workers as a VCP regarding fitness for purpose, distinctiveness, relevance, and efficiency.MethodsA total of 24 participants were recruited for the study. The design included a one-session treatment intervention with pre, post, 1-month, and 6-month follow-up (FU) measurements. This treatment session used a “Blind 2 Therapist” EMDR therapy scripted protocol as videoconference psychotherapy that involves non-disclosure of traumatic memory. The research explored the treatment effect on the core characteristics of trauma memory, including subjective disturbance, belief systems, memory intensity (MI), vividness, and levels of emotionality. Additionally, the research explored participants’ experiences of adverse and benevolent childhood experiences (ACEs/BCEs) during their childhood.ResultsRegarding the four tests, namely, fitness for purpose, distinctiveness, relevance, and efficiency, results are favourably suggesting potential clinical benefits of using EMDR as videoconference psychotherapy. Although this is a proof-of-concept study showing positive results, no clinical population or control group was used. The purpose of the study is to explore the potential for scalability toward a larger clinical trial. The treatment intervention was achieved irrespective of either ACEs/BCEs during childhood.ConclusionThe research tentatively supports the case for EMDR therapy as a credible treatment when used as video conference psychotherapy and in using the Blind 2 Therapist protocol. However, more research is needed to scale toward a clinical trial.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinical Trial Registration:https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12099530, identifier ISRCTN12099530.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.901855/fullEMDR therapypathogenic memoryadverse and benevolent childhood experiencesvideoconference psychotherapyBlind 2 Therapist |
| spellingShingle | Derek Farrell Anastasia Fadeeva Zeynep Zat Lorraine Knibbs Paul Miller Ian Barron Helga Matthess Cordula Matthess Neta Gazit Matthew D. Kiernan A Stage 1 Pilot Cohort Exploring the Use of EMDR Therapy as a Videoconference Psychotherapy During COVID-19 With Frontline Mental Health Workers: A Proof of Concept Study Utilising a Virtual Blind 2 Therapist Protocol Frontiers in Psychology EMDR therapy pathogenic memory adverse and benevolent childhood experiences videoconference psychotherapy Blind 2 Therapist |
| title | A Stage 1 Pilot Cohort Exploring the Use of EMDR Therapy as a Videoconference Psychotherapy During COVID-19 With Frontline Mental Health Workers: A Proof of Concept Study Utilising a Virtual Blind 2 Therapist Protocol |
| title_full | A Stage 1 Pilot Cohort Exploring the Use of EMDR Therapy as a Videoconference Psychotherapy During COVID-19 With Frontline Mental Health Workers: A Proof of Concept Study Utilising a Virtual Blind 2 Therapist Protocol |
| title_fullStr | A Stage 1 Pilot Cohort Exploring the Use of EMDR Therapy as a Videoconference Psychotherapy During COVID-19 With Frontline Mental Health Workers: A Proof of Concept Study Utilising a Virtual Blind 2 Therapist Protocol |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Stage 1 Pilot Cohort Exploring the Use of EMDR Therapy as a Videoconference Psychotherapy During COVID-19 With Frontline Mental Health Workers: A Proof of Concept Study Utilising a Virtual Blind 2 Therapist Protocol |
| title_short | A Stage 1 Pilot Cohort Exploring the Use of EMDR Therapy as a Videoconference Psychotherapy During COVID-19 With Frontline Mental Health Workers: A Proof of Concept Study Utilising a Virtual Blind 2 Therapist Protocol |
| title_sort | stage 1 pilot cohort exploring the use of emdr therapy as a videoconference psychotherapy during covid 19 with frontline mental health workers a proof of concept study utilising a virtual blind 2 therapist protocol |
| topic | EMDR therapy pathogenic memory adverse and benevolent childhood experiences videoconference psychotherapy Blind 2 Therapist |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.901855/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT derekfarrell astage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT anastasiafadeeva astage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT zeynepzat astage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT lorraineknibbs astage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT paulmiller astage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT ianbarron astage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT helgamatthess astage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT cordulamatthess astage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT netagazit astage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT matthewdkiernan astage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT derekfarrell stage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT anastasiafadeeva stage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT zeynepzat stage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT lorraineknibbs stage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT paulmiller stage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT ianbarron stage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT helgamatthess stage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT cordulamatthess stage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT netagazit stage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol AT matthewdkiernan stage1pilotcohortexploringtheuseofemdrtherapyasavideoconferencepsychotherapyduringcovid19withfrontlinementalhealthworkersaproofofconceptstudyutilisingavirtualblind2therapistprotocol |