The effectiveness of online EMDR 2.0 Group Protocol on post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression, anxiety, and stress in individuals who have experienced a traffic accident: a randomized-controlled study

Abstract

Introduction: EMDR 2.0, an innovative approach rooted in conventional Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), has garnered attention due to its promising outcomes. The application of either EMDR or EMDR 2.0 in a group format, especially for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, offers significant opportunities in terms of affordability and accessibility, potentially leading to widespread use. Building on the established effectiveness of EMDR 2.0 in individual applications, this study examines its impact in group settings. This protocol is designed to provide a structured framework for implementing EMDR 2.0 in group contexts, paving the way for a nuanced understanding of its potential benefits in group therapy settings. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of the online EMDR 2.0 Group Protocol (EMDR 2.0 GP) compared with Improving Mental Health Training for Primary Care Residents (mhGAP) in individuals with a history of traffic accidents in a controlled study. Methods: The sample in this randomized controlled study included volunteers who had been involved in traffic accidents and were randomly assigned to receive either the online EMDR 2.0 GP or the mhGAP stress management module. Participants completed a sociodemographic data form, the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), and the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R). Participants were assessed before, immediately after, and one month after the intervention. Results: The mean age of the participants was 34.80 (8.10) years, and 88.0% (n=22) were female. Changes in DASS-21 Anxiety (h2=0.136) and Stress (h2=0.140) scores and IES-R Avoidance (h2=0.134), Hyperarousal (h2=0.0148), and Total (h2=0.223) scores in the online EMDR 2.0 GP group were statistically significant compared with those in the mhGAP group. However, no statistically significant between-group differences were observed in DASS-21 Depression (h2=0.017) or IES-R Intrusion (h2=0.094) scores. Discussion: This randomized controlled trial of online EMDR 2.0 GP indicated that this newly developed protocol, when applied in groups, may be effective in reducing anxiety, stress, and traumatic stress symptoms in a non-clinical sample. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/, identifier NCT05596903.