Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder in a child and an adolescent with mild to borderline intellectual disability: A multiple baseline across subjects study
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Published online on March 26, 2017
Abstract
Background
This study explored the effectiveness of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in persons with mild to borderline intellectual disability (MBID) using a multiple baseline across subjects design.
Methods
One child and one adolescent with MBID, who met diagnostic criteria for PTSD according to a PTSD clinical interview (i.e., ADIS‐C PTSD section), adapted and validated for this target group, were offered four sessions of EMDR. PTSD symptoms were measured before, during and after EMDR, and at six weeks follow‐up.
Results
For both participants, number of PTSD symptoms decreased in response to treatment and both no longer met PTSD criteria at post‐treatment. This result was maintained at 6‐week follow‐up.
Conclusions
The results of this study add further support to the notion that EMDR can be an effective treatment for PTSD in children and adolescents with MBID. Replication of this study in larger samples and using a randomized controlled design is warranted.