Back to Search Start Over

Implementing an Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing Treatment-Program for Women With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Childbirth.

Implementing an Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing Treatment-Program for Women With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Childbirth.

Authors :
Kranenburg LW
Bijma HH
Eggink AJ
Knijff EM
Lambregtse-van den Berg MP
Source :
Frontiers in psychology [Front Psychol] 2022 Jan 21; Vol. 12, pp. 797901. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Jan 21 (Print Publication: 2021).
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation and outcomes of an Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment-program for women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth.<br />Methods: A prospective cohort-study with pre- and post-measurements was carried out in the setting of an academic hospital in the Netherland. Included were women who gave birth to a living child at least 4 weeks ago, with a diagnosis of PTSD, or severe symptoms of PTSD combined with another psychiatric diagnosis. All received up to 8 sessions of EMDR-therapy. The posttraumatic stress disorder Checklist for DSM-5 was administered before and after treatment. Trauma history was assessed before treatment with the Life Events Checklist for the DSM-5, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Childbirth Perception Scale. Descriptive statistics were used.<br />Results: Forty-four women were referred, 26 met the inclusion criteria. After treatment, none of the women met the criteria for diagnosis of PTSD after on average 5 weekly sessions of EMDR- therapy. These outcomes are promising, as they were achieved in women with relatively high levels of psychiatric comorbidity (64%) and high rates of previous mental health treatment (80%).<br />Conclusion: Implementing an EMDR-treatment program for women with PTSD after childbirth in the setting of an academic hospital is feasible and effective. Key factors for success include a close collaboration between the relevant hospital departments and a thorough case conceptualization addressing the etiology of the PTSD.<br />Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.<br /> (Copyright © 2022 Kranenburg, Bijma, Eggink, Knijff and Lambregtse-van den Berg.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1664-1078
Volume :
12
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Frontiers in psychology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
35126248
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.797901