Controlled study of treatment of PTSD using EMDR in an HMO setting.

67 individuals (aged 18–73 yrs) diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were randomly assigned to either Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment or Standard Care (SC) treatment. Participants were assessed pretreatment, after 3 sessions, and at the completion of treatment using the SCL-90, Beck Depression Inventory, Impact of Event Scale (M. Horowitz et al, 1979), modified PTSD Symptom Scale (S. A. Falsetti et al, 1993), State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and other measures. In addition, an independent evaluator assessed participants using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III-Revised (DSM-III-R) criteria for PTSD including Global Assessment of Functioning at the 3 data points. Ss in the EMDR treatment group showed significantly greater improvement with greater rapidity than those in the SC treatment group on measures of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and general symptoms. Ss who received EMDR treatment used fewer medication appointments for their psychological symptoms and needed fewer psychotherapy appointments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)