The efficacy of EMDR versus TF-CBT for the treatment of PTSD

This study compared the efficacy of EMDR versus TF-CBT in relieving PTSD symptoms in the general population.

Article Abstract

“PTSD is a common stress related disorder affecting children, adolescents, and adults worldwide. TF-CBT and EMDR are first line evidence-based therapies for the treatment of PTSD. This study compared the efficacy of EMDR versus TF-CBT in relieving PTSD symptoms in the general population. This systematic review used ProQuest, EBSCOHost, and Pub Psyche databases and selected RCTs published between 2010 to 2020. The meta-analysis consisting of ten studies with a total of 584 participants with PTSD showed that EMDR was better than TFCBT in reducing PTSD symptoms [SMD (95% CI) = -0.41 (-0.74; -0.08), p = 0.02] in the adult and youth populations. Sub-group analyses showed that there was no statistically significant difference between EMDR and TF-CBT at three months (p = 0.53) and at six months post follow-up (p = 0.47); EMDR was significantly better than TF-CBT in reducing PTSD symptoms in the adult population (p = 0.02) than in the youth population (p = 0.27); EMDR was better than TF-CBT in reducing PTSD symptoms when the length of treatment was 6 months (p = 0.01) than when the length of treatment was more than 6 sessions (p = 0.22). The results of this metaanalysis show the benefits of EMDR as a treatment for PTSD. And given that the results of the meta-analysis are preliminary, and the discrepancy in the results of the sub-group analyses, future RCTs and systematic reviews with larger sample sizes are recommended to support the preliminary results and to arrive at conclusive evidence.”

Article Access

Open Access

Gupta, A. E. (2021). The efficacy of EMDR versus TF-CBT for the treatment of PTSD. [Doctoral thesis, California Southern University].  Open access: https://www.proquest.com/openview/999bfa2af84af7377548ab0c0741f00c/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y