Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for post-stroke post-traumatic stress disorder: Case report using the three-phase approach

ABSTRACT

Medically-induced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is substantially more prevalent than PTSD in the general population. In people with stroke, it can impact as many as 23% of patients, with negative effects on mental health as well as stroke-related disability. Medically-induced PTSD may have unique features compared to other forms of PTSD, and therefore there is a pressing need to evaluate existing treatments for PTSD in this context. The current study reports on the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD subsequent to a pontine stroke. Using a quasi-experimental case design, a 44-year-old Caucasian woman received EMDR delivered via telehealth. Self-report measures were obtained at baseline, pre-EMDR, and post-EMDR, with brief neuropsychological testing pre/post-EMDR. After 3 sessions of EMDR, the patient no longer met criteria for PTSD, and showed clinically significant reductions in depressive and generalized anxiety symptoms. With proper safety provisions, it is feasible to deliver EMDR via telehealth to alleviate post-stroke PTSD. Reduced linguistic demands of EMDR may be particularly appealing for persons with neurological disorders as compared to other trauma therapies. Further work is also needed to understand the parameters of baseline neuropsychological function that could impact response to intervention.

KEYWORDS:

• post-traumatic stress disorder
• stroke
• pons
• eye movement desensitization reprocessing
• EMDR
• case report

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges Dr. Judy Moench for her comments on an earlier draft of this work, as well as her supervision and support around fidelity issues related to EMDR. Thanks to Lauren Qualls, M.A., Doctoral Student in Clinical Neuropsychology, for creating the stroke psychoeducational materials for the patient. Finally, the patient is thanked for her willingness (and consent) to share her story in this case report, with the hopes that it will benefit others.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.