Systematic Case Series Investigating Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Efficacy With Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors (EMDR)

Systematic Case Series Investigating Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Efficacy With Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors

A Systematic Case Series Study Investigating the Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) in the Treatment of Childhood Sexual Abuse in Adolescents and Adult Survivors

This study investigates the effectiveness of EMDR for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. All participants will undertake a standard course of EMDR via the National Heath Service program, alongside a number of questionnaires and a follow-up interview.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) via investigation of the changes in the individual trauma stress response on sexually abused adolescents and young adults, aged between 18 and 25 during EMDR treatment. The findings of this mixed methods study will explore (a) neuropsychological, emotional (namely low self-esteem, anxiety and depression), behavioural functioning and quality of life issues via quantitative measures conducted before, during and after treatment and (b) client perspectives of such changes through qualitative interviewing (interview guide is in Appendix 7) at one month follow-up using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis [IPA]. The study setting will be conducted within the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) program framework, established to ensure service users accessing NHS treatment are presented with choice in their treatment. Therapy will routinely be delivered within GP Surgeries or Health Centres. Within this two-fold study, the following key research questions will be considered in relation to the effectiveness of EMDR: Qualitative data will sought to identify; In what ways was EMDR helpful? In what ways was EMDR perceived as being unhelpful? Quantitative data will sought to identify; Are there changes in emotional and behavioural functioning (in relation to trauma, anxiety and depressive symptoms)? Are there changes in neuropsychological functioning (memory, attention, executive functioning)? Are there changes in quality of life issues? Are there changes in self-worth?

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing; EMDR, childhood sexual abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD, adults

Subjects with trauma-related symptomology resultant from CSA will undertake EMDR; they will be systematically observed through use of their quantitative treatment outcome measures at both pre- and post- treatment alongside one-month follow-up interview data to determine outcomes of interest (namely emotional, behavioural and neuropsychological functioning).

22-item self-report measure to evaluate impact of sexual abuse in terms of traumatic stress, abuse attributions and social reactions. Participants will be asked to rate their level of distress in relation to the said traumatic event on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 ("not at all") to 4 ("extremely"), ultimately providing the researcher with a total score (ranging from 0 to 88). The higher the score, the greater the PTSD symptomology.

The PEBL is an electronic neuropsychological battery utilised to monitor adaptations in participants' neuropsychological functioning.

Participants will be asked to rate their level of anxiety on a 7-point scale ranging from 0 ("not at all") to 3 ("nearly every day"), ultimately providing the researcher with a total score (ranging from 0 to 21). The higher the score, the greater the anxiety.

Participants will be asked to rate their level of depression on a 9-point scale ranging from 0 ("not at all") to 3 ("nearly every day"), ultimately providing the researcher with a total score (ranging from 0 to 27). The higher the score, the greater the depression.

This consists of 11 statements that participants are requested to rate in order to describe their feelings and interactions during the past week to gauge general emotional and behavioural functioning. Answers/statements for all questions are from a choice of the following "never" "almost never" "a little of the time" "some of the time" "most of the time" "all of the time." Generally, the more negative the selected statement, the greater the indication of issues in functioning within that given domain.

The 10-item RSES measures global self-worth by measuring both positive and negative feelings about the self. Participants will be asked to rate their level of self-worth by measuring both positive and negative feelings about the self. All items are answered using a 4-point Likert scale format as follows; "Strongly Disagree" 1 point, "Disagree" 2 points, "Agree" 3 points, and "Strongly Agree" 4 points,' ultimately providing the researcher with a total score (ranging from 10 to 40). Higher scores indicate higher self-esteem.

The VLQ is an instrument that taps into 10 valued domains of living as follows; 1. Family, 2. Marriage/couples/intimate relations, 3. Parenting, 4. Friendship, 5. Work, 6. Education, 7. Recreation, 8. Spirituality, 9. Citizenship, and 10. Physical self-care. Scoring: Respondents are asked to rate the 10 areas of life on a scale of 1 (not at all important) -10 (extremely important), indicating the level of importance and how consistently they have lived in accord with those values in the past week, ultimately providing the researcher with a total score (ranging from 10 to 100).

A qualitative semi-structured interview at one-month follow up. The first seven questions of which will help identify helpful/unhelpful aspects of therapy and the final four questions focusing on effectiveness, ending and any recommendations for treatment.

Inclusion Criteria: Participants, both male and female, aged between 18 and 25, whom; have experienced CSA before the age of 16 exhibit PTSD symptomology ensure PTSD symptomology is present for over three-months and primarily derived from pre-16 aged trauma be available for treatment-sessions on a weekly basis for up to 16-sessions - have good understanding of the English language to avoid language barriers/additional time spent with interpreters if taking medication, this will have been stable for a period of at least 2-months prior to therapy EMDR is the sole treatment for PTSD from baseline until follow-up to avoid conflict of interest Exclusion Criteria: Participants exhibiting; significant psychiatric comorbidity comorbid psychotic disorder bipolar disorder type 1 alcohol or drug dependence acute suicide risk, acute PTSD from trauma within the past 6 months PTSD focused treatment within the past 3 months or scheduled to begin another form of PTSD treatment will be excluded those currently participating in research or have recently participated in conflicting research

This study forms part of a doctorate qualification, as per University policy, all data will comply will GDPR (2018) and may be stored on a University encrypted drive for up to three years. The thesis itself may contain non-identifiable patient data such as interview extracts however this will be limited to consent.

Brown SJ, Carter GJ, Halliwell G, Brown K, Caswell R, Howarth E, Feder G, O'Doherty L. Survivor, family and professional experiences of psychosocial interventions for sexual abuse and violence: a qualitative evidence synthesis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Oct 4;10(10):CD013648. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013648.pub2.