Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for posttraumatic stress disorder following acquired brain injury: A multiple baseline single case experimental design study across four cases

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). This study investigated the effectiveness and applicability of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD in individuals with ABI. Data were collected using a non-concurrent multiple baseline single case experimental design (SCED), with a baseline, treatment, maintenance, and 3-month follow-up phase, across four cases. EMDR treatment was provided using a manualized standard EMDR protocol. The primary outcome was PTSD symptoms. Secondary outcomes were general mental health and cognitive functions. Visual analyses, TAU-U analyses, and analyses using the Reliable Change Index were performed. All four participants (two with TBI, two with stroke) showed a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms, which continued in maintenance and was retained at follow-up. The participants no longer fulfilled criteria for PTSD classification and showed reliable improvement in PTSD severity score post-treatment and at follow-up. No adverse events occurred and no adjustments in EMDR protocol were necessary. There was no consistent improvement in general mental health nor a consistent improvement in cognitive functioning. This study provided empirical support for the effectiveness and applicability of EMDR for PTSD in four participants with stroke or TBI.