Eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) to prevent transition to psychosis in people with an at-risk mental state (ARMS): mixed method feasibility study

Strelchuk, Daniela, Wiles, Nicola, Turner, Katrina, Derrick, Catherine, Martin, David, Davies, Jonathan and Zammit, Stan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2647-9211 2024. Eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) to prevent transition to psychosis in people with an at-risk mental state (ARMS): mixed method feasibility study. BJPsych Open 10 (3) , e105. 10.1192/bjo.2024.57

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (370kB)

Abstract

Background Trauma plays an important role in the development of psychosis, but no studies have investigated whether a trauma-focused therapy could prevent psychosis. Aims This study aimed to establish whether it would be feasible to conduct a multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) to prevent psychosis in people with an at-risk mental state (ARMS), using eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR). Method This started as a mixed-method randomised study comparing EMDR to treatment as usual but, as a result of low participant recruitment, was changed to a single-arm feasibility study. The proposed primary outcome for an RCT was transition to psychosis at 12-month follow-up. Data on secondary outcomes were also collected. Qualitative interviews were conducted with patients and therapists. Results Fourteen participants were recruited from the Early Intervention teams. Most people who expressed an interest in taking part attended an assessment to determine eligibility. All those eligible consented to take part. A total of 64% (7 of 11) of participants who were offered EMDR were followed up at 12 months. Of the 11 participants offered EMDR, one (11%, 95% CI: 0.2%, 48%) transitioned to psychosis. Nine patients and three therapists were interviewed. Participants who completed therapy (n = 4; mean 10.5 sessions) found EMDR helpful, but those who discontinued (n = 6; mean 5.2 sessions) said it had not benefitted them overall. Therapists said EMDR could be effective, although not for all patients. Conclusions Future studies recruiting people with an ARMS to an RCT may need to extend recruitment beyond Early Intervention teams. Although some individuals found EMDR helpful, reasons for discontinuing need to be addressed in future studies.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics (CNGG)
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	2056-4724
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	29 August 2024
Date of Acceptance:	9 May 2024
Last Modified:	30 Aug 2024 09:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/171655

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item