Evaluating Outcomes and Experience of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Through a National Health Service Trust’s Staff Support Service

Francesca Meredith, Rosie Banting, David Wilcox, Rachel Paskell

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Abstract

Aim: A National Health Service (NHS) mental health trust developed a pathway offering eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to healthcare professionals (HCPs). This research aimed to evaluate whether EMDR was linked to improvements in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sought to understand the experiences of service users. Method: Pre-and post-outcome measures of the Impact of Events Scale—Revised (IES-r), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WASAS) were evaluated. Subsequently, a feedback survey was circulated to those who had accessed the service. Results: Analysis revealed statistically significant improvements in measures of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and functioning. The service was rated highly for accessibility and experience. Perceived treatment effectiveness was variable; however, reliving symptoms and sickness absence were reduced, and improvements made during therapy were reportedly maintained. Conclusion: This service evaluation offers preliminary support for the use of EMDR as a useful intervention for HCP. Recommendations that may be more broadly applicable for service development and considerations for future research are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)228-238
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of EMDR Practice and Research
Volume17
Issue number4
Early online date30 Jun 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding: The author(s) received no specific grant or financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Keywords

  • EMDR therapy
  • PTSD
  • posttraumatic stress disorder
  • trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

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