A multisite retrospective review exploring the delivery of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to Veterans via telehealth (TH) versus in person (IP)

Abstract: Objective: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is strongly recommended for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet, few studies have evaluated EMDR in veterans, and no study has compared in-person (IP) to telehealth (TH) delivery among veterans. This study aimed to (a) evaluate the effectiveness of EMDR among veterans and (b) compare outcomes between IP and TH modalities. Method: In this chart review, 279 veterans met inclusion criteria (IP n = 139; TH n = 140). Mixed effects and logistic regression models were used for continuous and categorical outcomes, respectively. Results: PTSD (Cohen's d = 0.76) and depression (Cohen's d = 0.56) symptoms improved between EMDR initiation and termination. After controlling for covariates, the IP group (Cohen's d = 0.85) reported even greater PTSD symptom improvement from initiation to termination compared to the TH group (Cohen's d = 0.66). There were no differences between groups for treatment completion and achieving reliable change and clinically significant change in PTSD and depression symptoms. Conclusions: Findings suggest that EMDR is an effective PTSD treatment for veterans. IP and TH modalities largely yielded similar outcomes, highlighting both modalities as effective. These results underscore the importance of further evaluating EMDR delivered via IP and TH to veterans.

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