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ID
Source
Health condition
An autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder, leading to a different way of processing information. Typical behaviors are: a reduced capacity for social interaction and communication, reduced use of imagination and a rigid pattern of repetitive stereotyped activities.
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition, successful
outcomes are well-documented in the literature for EMDR treatment of other psychiatric disorders, mental health
problems, and somatic symptoms. The eightphase, three-pronged process of EMDR facilitates the resumption of normal information processing and integration. This
treatment approach, which targets past experience, current triggers, and future potential challenges, results in the
alleviation of presenting symptoms, a decrease or elimination of distress from the disturbing memory, improved view of the self, relief from bodily disturbance, and resolution of present and future anticipated triggers.
Dutch keywords: posttraumatische stresstoornis (PTSS), autisme, autismespectrumstoornis (ASS), trauma, EMDR.
English keywords: posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR, ASD, trauma, diagnostic overshadowing, effect, efficacy.
Sponsors and support
Dokter Wittenberg Stichting: 3000 euro.
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Severity of symptoms associated with PTSD, as measured by the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R), decreases significantly after treatment with EMDR.
Secondary outcome
1. The perceived burden of PTSD symptoms, as measured by a score at a visualized thermometer reduces with 2 points after treatment with EMDR. The thermometer belongs to the modified Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (ADIS) section PTSD.
2: The number of symptoms associated with ASD, as measured with the Social Responsiveness Scale-Adults (SRS-A), decreases significantly after treatment with EMDR.
3: Frequency of self-reported psychological symptoms, as measured by the Brief Symptom Checklist (BSI) decreases significantly after treatment with EMDR.
Study objective
The effect of EMDR in adults with autism has not been studied before. Hypothesis is that the severity of traumarelated symptoms decreases after treatment with 8 sessions EMDR in comparison of treatment as usual. There are indications of diagnostic overshadowing of trauma in people with ASD. Hypothesis is that autism symptoms may decrease too, especially those that show symptomatic overlap with traumarelated symptoms. Results contribute to the development of effective treatment of trauma for adults with ASD. This can lead to a reduction in symptoms and thus emotional, personal and social costs. In addition, results may contribute to the prevention of possible diagnostic overshadowing and undertreatment of traumarelated symptoms in adults with ASD.
Study design
Measurement 1: modified ADIS, section PTSD (traumas and symptoms); IES-R; SRS-A; BSI.
6 t 8 weeks waiting period and TAU.
Measurement 2: modified ADIS, section PTSD (symptoms); IES-R; SRS-A; BSI.
A maximum of 8 sessions EMDR of 90 minutes.
Measurement 3: modified ADIS, section PTSD (symptoms); IES-R; SRS-A; BSI.
Follow up periode of 6 to 8 weeks.
Measurement 4: modified ADIS, section PTSD (symptoms); IES-R; SRS-A; BSI.
Intervention
In this quasi- experimental study, the patient is his own control. There are three measurements and one follow-up measurement. During the intake of EMDR is determined whether EMDR is an appropriate intervention. The patient is asked via informed consent if he or she wants to participate in the study. Then a regular waiting period of 6 to 8 weeks follows and treatment as usual (TAU) is offered. TAU consists of psycho-education or counseling. The second measurement takes place after the waiting period and before the start of EMDR. After a maximum of eight EMDR sessions of 90 minutes is the third measurement. After a follow up period of eight weeks is the fourth and final measurement.
All therapist are well educated EMDR-therapists and are known with working with adults with ASD. During the EMDR treatment the EMDR-therapists receive supervision of an EMDR-supervisor.
P.H. (Ella) Lobregt-van Buuren
Nico Bolkesteinlaan 1
Deventer 7416 SB
The Netherlands
0570 639 600
e.lobregt@dimence.nl
P.H. (Ella) Lobregt-van Buuren
Nico Bolkesteinlaan 1
Deventer 7416 SB
The Netherlands
0570 639 600
e.lobregt@dimence.nl
Inclusion criteria
Normally intelligent adults of 18 years and older with ASD and (symptoms of) PTSD who receive outpatient treatment. ASD is diagnosed by a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist in accordance with the multidisciplinary guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders in adults (Kan et al., 2013).
Perceived burden of traumatic events: the inclusion criterion is a score of 4 or higher on the visualized thermometer, belonging to the modified ADIS, section PTSD.
Permission to make video or audio recordings for supervision and assessing therapy integrity.
Exclusion criteria
No command of the Dutch language.
Current psychotic symptoms.
Current manic symptoms.
Under the influence of alcohol, drugs and sedatives during the treatment sessions.
Patients who need more than 8 sessions EMDR because of the severity of the symptoms (usually complex PTSD).
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| NTR-new | NL4703 |
| NTR-old | NTR4909 |
| Other | Dimence : COS20143 |