EMDR THERAPY VS SUPPORTIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF TRAUMA AND AFFECTIVE SYMPTOMS IN BIPOLAR DISORDER PATIENTS: RESULTS FROM A MULTICENTRE RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL.

EMDR THERAPY VS SUPPORTIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF TRAUMA AND AFFECTIVE SYMPTOMS IN BIPOLAR DISORDER PATIENTS: RESULTS FROM A MULTICENTRE RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL. (EMDR THERAPY VS SUPPORTIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF TRAUMA AND AFFECTIVE SYMPTOMS IN BIPOLAR DISORDER PATIENTS: RESULTS FROM A MULTICENTRE RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL.)

BRIDGET HOGG. JOAQUIM RADUA, ITXASO GARDOKI-SOUTO, MARTA FONTANA - MCNALLY, WALTER LUPO.

ESTHER JIMÉNEZ, LAURA BLANCO- PRESAS, EDUARD VIETA, ALICIA VALIENTE-GÓMEZ, ANA MORENO-ALCÁZAR, BENEDIKT L AMANN

CENTRE FORUM RESEARCH UNIT, HOSPITAL DEL MAR BARCELONA, BARCELONA; HOSPITAL CLINIC, BARCELONA; GERMANES HOSPITALARIAS SANT BOI, BARCELONA

Translated by: Specialist Psychologist Gizem Pozam

 

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) are frequently exposed to traumatic events, which worsen the course of the disorder. This study is the first multicentre randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of a trauma-focused adjunctive psychotherapy in reducing affective relapse rates in bipolar disorder.

Primary aims: To investigate whether EMDR is more effective than non-trauma-focused Supportive Psychotherapy in reducing affective relapse rates over 2 years.

Secondary aims: To investigate whether EMDR is superior to eligibility-assessed Supportive Psychotherapy in improving bipolar affective symptoms, trauma symptoms, general functioning, and cognitive impairment.

METHODS

• Multicentre randomised controlled clinical trial


• 77 patients with bipolar I and II disorders were randomised to 20 x 1-hour sessions of either EMDR or Supportive Psychotherapy (see Figure 1)


• Assessments at baseline, 2 weeks, 3 months, months (post-treatment), 12 months and 24 months (follow-up)

RESULTS

• There was no significant difference between treatment conditions in relapse rates (see Figure 2)


• EMDR was significantly superior to supportive psychotherapy in improving affective symptoms at 12 months (see Figures 3 and 4)


• EMDR was superior to Supportive Psychotherapy in improving functioning at 12 months (p=0.038, d=0.486)


• Trauma decreased significantly in both treatment arms


• There was no significant difference in dropout

CONCLUSIONS

• Trauma can be safely addressed in a bipolar disorder population using the EMDR bipolar manual


• As an adjunctive psychotherapy, EMDR has the potential to improve affective symptoms and functioning in patients with bipolar disorder

 

 

 

EMDR THERAPY VS SUPPORTIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF TRAUMA AND AFFECTIVE SYMPTOMS IN BIPOLAR DISORDER PATIENTS: RESULTS FROM A MULTICENTRE RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL.

 

BRIDGET HOGG. JOAQUIM RADUA, ITXASO GARDOKI-SOUTO, MARTA FONTANA - MCNALLY, WALTER LUPO.

ESTHER JIMÉNEZ, LAURA BLANCO- PRESAS, EDUARD VIETA, ALICIA VALIENTE-GÓMEZ, ANA MORENO-ALCÁZAR, BENEDIKT L AMANN

 

CENTRE FORUM RESEARCH UNIT, HOSPITAL DEL MAR BARCELONA, BARCELONA; HOSPITAL CLINIC, BARCELONA; GERMANES HOSPITALARIAS SANT BOI, BARCELONA

 

 

BACKROUND AND AIMS

Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) are frequently exposed to traumatic events, which worsen disease course. This study is the first multicentre randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of a trauma-focused adjunctive psychotherapy in reducing BD affective relapse rates.

 

Primary aims: To investigate if EMDR is more effective than non-trauma focused Supportive Psychotherapy in reducing affective relapse rates over 2 years.

 

Secondary aims: To investigate if EMDR is superior to Assessed for eligioilt Supportive Psychotherapy in improving bipolar affective symptoms, trauma symptoms, general functioning, and cognitive impairment.

 

 

METHODS

• Multicentre randomized control clinical trial


• 77 patients with bipolar disorder 1 and 2 were randomised to 20 x 1 hour sessions of either EMDR or Supportive Psychotherapy (see figure 1)


• Evaluations at baseline, 2 weeks, 3 months, months (post-treatment), 12 months and 24 months (follow-up)

 

RESULTS

• There was no significant difference between treatment conditions in terms of relapse rates (see figure 2)


• EMDR was significantly superior supportive psychotherapy in improving affective symptoms at 12 months (see figures 3 and 4)


• EMDR was superior to Supportive Psychotherapy in improving functioning at 12 months (p=0.038, d=0.486)


• Trauma decreased significantly in both treatment arms


• There was no significant difference in dropout

CONCLUSIONS

• Trauma can safely be addressed in a bipolar disorder population using the EMDR bipolar manual


• EMDR has the potential, as an adjunctive psychotherapy, to improve affective symptoms and functioning in bipolar patients