Comparing the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization reprocessing and cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing post traumatic stress disorder

Sahar Aligholizadeh  Moghadam; Reza Kazemi; Somayyeh Taklavi

doi:10.5114/hpr.2019.92305

Authors

Sahar Aligholizadeh Moghadam Islamic Azad University
Reza Kazemi Islamic Azad University
Somayyeh Taklavi Islamic Azad University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2019.92305

Keywords:

cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Background
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in children, adolescents and adults. It can occur alone or in comorbidity with other disorders. A broad range of psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) have been developed for the treatment of PTSD. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization reprocessing and cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Participants and procedure
The population of this investigation was composed of 450 veterans of holy war who referred to military health services. The study sample contained 225 veterans who were randomly selected and asked to complete the Mississippi Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire. From 80 respondents who achieved above the minimum score in the questionnaire, 40 persons were chosen randomly and assigned to two experimental groups and one control group. Subjects in the experimental group received eight sessions of CBT training and 8 sessions of EMDR therapy. Post tests were taken from all participants after therapy sessions. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA in SPSS version 25.

Results
Our findings indicated a significant difference between EMDR and CBT groups in term of average PTSD. We also found a significant difference in terms of average PTSD between the control group and CBT as well as EMDR groups.

Conclusions
The results of the present study indicated that the eye movement desensitization reprocessing method and cognitive behavioral therapy are effective in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder. We also found that EMDR is more effective than CBT.

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