EMDR in three adults with severe intellectual disability and posttraumatic stress disorder: A multiple-baseline evaluation

Abstract

Research on trauma treatment in people with severe intellectual disability (SID; IQ 20-35) is scarce, and controlled studies are lacking. This study examined the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy using the storytelling method in three adults with SID and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A multiple-baseline design was used to examine the effects of the EMDR storytelling method on PTSD classification, PTSD symptoms, challenging behaviors, and dysfunctional behaviors in three adults with SID and PTSD, EMDR resulted in a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms, challenging behaviors, and most dysfunctional behaviors. None of the participants had a PTSD classification after EMDR. Findings suggest EMDR to be effective in the treatment of PTSD in adults with SID. Follow-up research with a larger sample size is required.