Efficacy of EMDR in the Treatment of Depression and Comorbid Anxiety

Summary

This research is aimed at investigating the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapy for treating depression and comorbid anxiety symptoms. EMDR has been scientifically established as an evidenced based level-A treatment for PTSD. However, researchers have started assessing its efficacy for depression and other psychological disorders. Preliminary evidence indicates that EMDR has the potential to treat depression, however, it has not yet been established as an evidence-based intervention. Anxiety most often comorbid with depression. literature suggests that when depression is treated, the comorbid anxiety symptoms are also reduced. Hence, the effect of EMDR therapy on anxiety symptoms, when treating depressive symptoms would also be explored.

A sample of 40 volunteers will be sought from community through advertising, and through referrals and will be randomly assigned to experimental and control conditions. Participants of experimental condition will be offered eight phase EMDR therapy in a period of 12-14 weeks. Participants of control group will receive counselling as usual sessions for 12-14 weeks. Measurement of the depression and anxiety symptoms for Experimental group will be recorded at Time 1, (baseline, time frame: 0 week). Time 2 (after history and preparation for EMDR, time frame: 3 weeks). Time 3, (after EMDR treatment, time frame: 12 weeks) and at T4, ( post treatment follow-up, Time frame: 24 weeks. For Control group, measurements will be recorded at T1, T2 and T3.

The current study will be the first registered Randomized Control Trial (RCT ) as per investigators knowledge, that will explore the efficacy of EMDR in treating depression and comorbid anxiety. The results of the study will provide the scientific bases to use EMDR as a treatment of choice for depression and anxiety. Many clients do not respond to pharmacological as well other psychological treatments despite bearing huge financial cost. EMDR therapy can be a short-term treatment that may provide relief from symptoms of depression and anxiety, and as a result, the functioning and quality of life of the participants will also improve. This study will also guide further research to explore the effects of EMDR on other trauma-based disorders and comorbid conditions.

Conditions

• Depression
• Anxiety

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapy

Experimental arm will receive eight phase EMDR treatment using manualized standard protocol. Selection of targets for reprocessing through EMDR will be made according to adaptive information processing model's postulations, that links traumatic events with the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Time period allocated to EMDR treatment is 12-14 weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Counselling as usual

Control arm will receive counseling as usual for 12-14 weeks

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Quaid-e-Azam University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Yasmeen W Mauna Gauhar, M.Phil · National Institute of Psychology, Quaid i Azam University Islamabad Pakistan

• Dr. Humaira Jami, Ph.D · National Institute of Psychology, Quaid i Azam University Islamabad Pakistan

• Dr Derek Ferrel, Ph.D · University of Worcester. U.K.

• Dr Wajid Malik, MBBS FCPS · Armed Forces Institute of Mental Health, Rawalpindi Pakistan

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-02-01

Primary Completion

2022-05-31

Completion

2022-08-31

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations