The Effectiveness of EMDR Therapy as a Trauma-Focused Intervention for Reducing the Severity of PTSD Symptoms in Jordan: A Quasi-Experimental Trial

Al-Quds University

Status: Completed

Conditions: PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: EMDR

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07423832

ClinicalTrials.gov

JU-EMDR-PTSD-2023-2348

Details and patient eligibility

About

Here is a plain-language, registry-appropriate Brief Summary you can paste into the form. It is written for patients, families, and healthcare providers:

Brief Summary

This study examines whether Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can reduce the severity of symptoms in adults experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Jordan. PTSD can develop after exposure to distressing or traumatic life events and may cause symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, sleep problems, anxiety, and emotional distress.

A total of 70 adult participants with moderate to severe PTSD symptoms were enrolled. Participants were assigned to one of two groups: an EMDR therapy group or a waitlist control group. Individuals in the EMDR group received structured therapy sessions delivered by a trained mental-health professional, while those in the waitlist group did not receive therapy during the study period but were offered treatment after the study ended.

PTSD symptom severity was measured before treatment, immediately after the therapy sessions, and again one month later. The goal of the study was to determine whether EMDR therapy leads to meaningful and lasting reductions in PTSD symptoms compared with no immediate treatment.

The findings of this research are intended to help healthcare providers and policymakers understand the value of EMDR as a non-pharmacological, evidence-based treatment option for individuals experiencing trauma-related distress, and to support improvements in mental-health services and trauma-informed care in Jordan.

Full description

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental-health condition that may develop after exposure to traumatic or highly distressing events and is associated with significant functional, emotional, and physical consequences. Evidence-based psychological therapies are essential to reduce symptom burden and improve quality of life, particularly in settings where access to specialized trauma services may be limited.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a structured, trauma-focused psychotherapeutic approach, in reducing the severity of PTSD symptoms among adults in Jordan. The investigation uses a quasi-experimental design with an intervention group receiving EMDR sessions and a waitlist control group receiving no immediate therapeutic intervention during the study period. Symptom severity is assessed at baseline, immediately after completion of the intervention, and at a one-month follow-up to examine both immediate and short-term outcomes.

EMDR therapy is delivered by a licensed mental-health professional trained in the standardized EMDR protocol. The intervention focuses on processing traumatic memories through guided recall combined with bilateral stimulation techniques (such as eye movements), with the aim of decreasing emotional distress and strengthening adaptive cognitive responses. Participants in the waitlist control group are offered the same therapeutic sessions after completion of outcome assessments to ensure equitable access to care.

The study seeks to generate empirical evidence regarding the clinical utility, feasibility, and short-term sustainability of EMDR therapy in a Middle Eastern context. Findings are intended to inform mental-health practitioners, nursing professionals, and healthcare decision-makers about the potential role of EMDR as a non-pharmacological, trauma-informed treatment option for adults experiencing moderate to severe PTSD symptoms.

Enrollment: 70 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Adults aged 18 years or older

Probable PTSD or moderate-to-severe post-traumatic stress symptoms based on the screening instrument used in the study

Exposure to at least one traumatic or highly stressful life event within the previous six months

No prior receipt of EMDR therapy

Willingness and ability to provide informed consent and participate in therapy sessions and assessments

Exclusion criteria

Acute cognitive or intellectual disability that would interfere with comprehension of study procedures or questionnaires

Significant visual impairment or visual pathology that would prevent full engagement with the visual components of EMDR therapy

Inability to communicate effectively by phone for scheduled assessments

Refusal or inability to provide informed consent

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

70 participants in 2 patient groups

EMDR Therapy Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm received Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy delivered by a licensed psychiatric mental-health professional trained in the standardized EMDR protocol. The intervention consisted of structured individual sessions (approximately 90 minutes each) conducted over several weeks. Sessions followed the established EMDR phases, including history taking, preparation, desensitization with bilateral stimulation, installation of positive cognitions, body scan, closure, and reevaluation. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at one-month follow-up.

Treatment:

Behavioral: EMDR

Waitlist Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in this arm did not receive active psychological intervention during the study period and continued with usual care, if any. They completed the same outcome assessments at baseline, immediately after the intervention period for the EMDR group, and at one-month follow-up. After completion of all study assessments, participants in the waitlist control arm were offered the opportunity to receive EMDR therapy.