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EMDR Therapy in Preterm-Born Infants With Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms
Sponsor: Tanja Holtackers
Summary
This study examines a trauma-focused treatment for very young children who were born prematurely and developed post-traumatic stress related symptoms after medical care. Preterm infants often experience stressful events in the hospital, which can affect their emotional and behavioral development. In this study, an adapted form (storytelling) of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was used with preterm born children aged 0 to 2 years. The treatment was delivered in a small group of participants, and changes in post- traumatic stress symptoms, sleep, emotional functioning, parental PTSD symptoms and perceived bonding and parent-infant interaction were monitored over time using parent reports. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether this early intervention (EMDR, storytelling) is feasible, well accepted by families, and potentially effective in reducing post-traumatic stress related symptoms in this vulnerable population.
Official title: Preliminary Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in Preterm-Born Infants Aged 0-2 Years With Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms: A Multiple Baseline Experimental Design
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
0 Months - 24 Months
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
10
Start Date
2025-02-26
Completion Date
2026-02-01
Last Updated
2026-05-15
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) storytelling method
The EMDR storytelling method is a developmentally adapted trauma-focused intervention based on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The treatment is designed for infants and toddlers (in preverbal period) and involves caregiver participation. A structured storytelling approach is used to process traumatic medical experiences. Participants received up to six individual sessions of approximately one hour each.
Locations (1)
St. Antonius Hospital
Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands