Comparing the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization reprocessing and cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing post traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

BackgroundPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent in children, adolescents and adults. It can occur alone or in comorbidity with other disorders. A broad range of psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) have been developed for the treatment of PTSD. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization reprocessing and cogni-tive behavioral therapy in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder.Participants and procedureThe population of this investigation was composed of 450 veterans of holy war who referred to military health services. The study sample contained 225 veterans who were randomly selected and asked to complete the Mississippi Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire. From 80 respondents who achieved above the min-imum score in the questionnaire, 40 persons were chosen randomly and assigned to two experimental groups and one control group. Subjects in the experimental group received eight sessions of CBT training and 8 ses-sions of EMDR therapy. Post tests were taken from all participants after therapy sessions. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA in SPSS version 25.ResultsOur findings indicated a significant difference between EMDR and CBT groups in term of average PTSD. We also found a significant difference in terms of average PTSD between the control group and CBT as well as EMDR groups.ConclusionsThe results of the present study indicated that the eye movement desensitization reprocessing method and cognitive behavioral therapy are effective in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder. We also found that EMDR is more effective than CBT.