Professor Elisabeth Utens
Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam and University of Amsterdam
Title: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in children with unprocessed medical related trauma. A randomized controlled intervention study
Biography
Biography: Professor Elisabeth Utens
Abstract
Background. About 3 in every 10 children and adolescents admitted to a hospital or undergoing invasive and/or painful surgery, develop increased (subclinical) symptoms of PTSS. In addition, about 1 in 10 children even develop a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSS). Unfortunately, symptoms of unprocessed medical trauma are still poorly recognized. From research it is known that if elevated PTSS symptoms in children are left untreated, this can have a serious impact on their quality of life, psychosocial functioning and can result lead to long term psychiatric complaints. In the Dutch multidisciplinary guidelines for mental health institutions , trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR are recommended for treating posttraumatic stress complaints. Many psychologists already use EMDR successfully in their daily clinical practice. EMDR works faster, requires less treatment sessions, is considered less stressful for the patient and therefore fits well in the psychosocial care given in a children's hospital. Remarkably, the effectiveness of EMDR in medical untreated trauma in children has not previously been systematically investigated. In the Erasmus-MC Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is being conducted into the effectiveness of EMDR in children / adolescents with a medical related trauma. Design. A randomized, controlled intervention study (RCT). Method. Included are children / adolescents aged 4 to 16 who have undergone a one-time (trauma type 1) or repeated (trauma type 2) hospital admission / medical treatment up to 5 years ago. Participating children are screened for increased PTSS symptoms (partial PTSS). All children with partial PTSS are then randomly assigned to: 1) standardized EMDR or 2) care as usual (CAU = medical care only). Results. The data collection will last from July 2016 to February 2018. During the period from July 2016 to April 2017, 116 participants completed the pre-measurement. Of these, 67% were symptom-free, 28% had subclinical symptoms and 5% had PTSS. The first results of the complete screening assessment will be presented and discussed during the conference. Discussion. The vast majority of children undergoing hospitalization or surgery are not structurally screened for PTSS complaints and do not receive structurally psychological assistance. If EMDR proves effective, this will be implemented structurally in Erasmus MC Sophia. A good network between medical specialists and cognitive behavioral psychotherapists is necessary for optimal psychosocial care.