Key result
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) significantly reduced PTSD symptoms compared to imaginal exposure in survivors of life-threatening cardiac events (p=0.002).
Why the study?
Does EMDR reduce PTSD, depressive, and anxiety symptoms in survivors of life-threatening cardiac events compared to imaginal exposure?
Population
42 patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation who qualified for PTSD criterion 'A' in relation to a…
Comparison
4-week treatment of eye movement desensitization… vs 4-week treatment of imaginal exposure (IE)
Design
RCT, randomized
Follow-up
6 months
Authors
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May reduce PTSD symptoms in cardiac survivors; leaves open confirmation in larger RCTs.
RCT (n=42)
Randomly assigned
No
Does EMDR reduce PTSD, depressive, and anxiety symptoms in survivors of life-threatening cardiac events compared to imaginal exposure?
Effect estimate: z = -3.25
Absolute Event Rate: 12.1% vs 19.67%
p-value: p=0.002
A 4-week EMDR treatment significantly improves PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms in survivors of life-threatening cardiac events compared to imaginal exposure.
Arabia et al. (2011) conducted an RCT in PTSD symptoms following life-threatening cardiac events (n=42). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) vs. Imaginal exposure (IE) was evaluated on PTSD symptoms measured by IES-R at posttreatment (z = -3.25, p=0.002). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) significantly reduced PTSD symptoms compared to imaginal exposure in survivors of life-threatening cardiac events (p=0.002).
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