A Stage 1 Pilot Cohort Exploring the Use of EMDR Therapy as a Videoconference Psychotherapy During COVID-19 With Frontline Mental Health Workers: A Proof of Concept Study Utilising a Virtual Blind 2 Therapist Protocol

Abstract

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the delivery of psychological treatment. Due to social distancing requirements, the provision moved to videoconferencing psychotherapy (VCP). There is a paucity of empirical data supporting the efficacy of EMDR therapy as a VCP. This stage 1 pilot study tested an EMDR therapy scripted protocol, such as Virtual Blind 2 Therapist (VB2Tr), on frontline mental health workers as a VCP regarding fitness for purpose, distinctiveness, relevance, and efficiency.MethodsA total of 24 participants were recruited for the study. The design included a one-session treatment intervention with pre, post, 1-month, and 6-month follow-up (FU) measurements. This treatment session used a “Blind 2 Therapist” EMDR therapy scripted protocol as videoconference psychotherapy that involves non-disclosure of traumatic memory. The research explored the treatment effect on the core characteristics of trauma memory, including subjective disturbance, belief systems, memory intensity (MI), vividness, and levels of emotionality. Additionally, the research explored participants’ experiences of adverse and benevolent childhood experiences (ACEs/BCEs) during their childhood.ResultsRegarding the four tests, namely, fitness for purpose, distinctiveness, relevance, and efficiency, results are favourably suggesting potential clinical benefits of using EMDR as videoconference psychotherapy. Although this is a proof-of-concept study showing positive results, no clinical population or control group was used. The purpose of the study is to explore the potential for scalability toward a larger clinical trial. The treatment intervention was achieved irrespective of either ACEs/BCEs during childhood.ConclusionThe research tentatively supports the case for EMDR therapy as a credible treatment when used as video conference psychotherapy and in using the Blind 2 Therapist protocol. However, more research is needed to scale toward a clinical trial.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinical Trial Registration:https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12099530, identifier ISRCTN12099530.

Early intervention for residential out-of-home care staff using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

“…Future exploration of the impact that previous childhood and adult adverse experiences can have on the development of future traumatic stress symptoms from a workplace incident is warranted. This would align with current research that has examined this factor, particularly as it relates to mental health (see, e.g., Farrell et al, 2022;Perri et al, 2021).…”

“…Similarly, a comparison of seven sessions of CBT and R-TEP for ASD delivered via Skype found both interventions were effective in reducing anxiety, trauma, and depressive symptoms (Perri et al, 2021). A recent proof-of-concept study also found evidence that EMDR can be delivered via videoconference, however, concluded a clinical trial was warranted (Farrell et al, 2022).…”

The integrative process promoted by EMDR in dissociative disorders: neurobiological mechanisms, psychometric tools, and intervention efficacy on the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…A very recent study investigated the efficacy of EMDR therapy as a videoconferencing psychotherapy in 24 frontline mental health workers, exploring the treatment effect on the core characteristics of the trauma memory, namely, subjective disturbance, belief systems, memory intensity, vividness, and levels of emotionality. These results suggested the potential clinical benefits of using the EMDR as a videoconference psychotherapy (Farrell et al, 2022 ).…”

“Without it, I am not sure I would still be here”: a mixed methods service evaluation for online EMDR trauma therapy in a primary care network in England

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