Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) in physical trauma patients with symptoms of an acute stress disorder

The inclusion period will be 12 months. Participants will be screened for ASD symptoms. Patients with symptoms of ASD will be asked to participate and to undergo EMDR treatment. After signing the informed consent form (IC), patients will be asked to complete questionnaires at three time points. First, to complete socio-demographic information and ASD questionnaires at baseline. Other measurements of ASD are directly after finishing the EMDR intervention and one month later. EMDR treatment will be offered as soon as possible after patients’ confirmation for participation (i.e., signing IC). Clinical information will be abstracted from patients’ medical records. Based on a sample size calculation (independent sample t-test), 52 patients with symptoms of ASD will receive the EMDR intervention.

The objective is to examine the feasibility of performing EMDR in physical trauma patients with symptoms of ASD. This provides information insight the possibility of doing a psychological EMDR intervention in the clinical hospital setting.

Directly after signing the informed consent form, then directly after ending the EMDR intervention and one month after completing the intervention.

This intervention consists of one up to three EMDR sessions, with a duration of 45 minutes, focused on the source of ASD symptoms. This intervention will be performed by psychologists, who are also EMDR practitioners and specialized in treating physical trauma patients.