Evaluating Autonomous Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing A-EMDR Therapy for Adults With PTSD and Substance Use Disorders

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness and practicality of a new therapy called Autonomous Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing A-EMDR for adults who have both Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD and Substance Use Disorders SUD. This pilot trial aims to confirm whether A-EMDR works well in this group and to gather information that will help design future full-scale studies. The trial is open-label and uses a wait-list control design to compare outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the A-EMDR treatment group or a usual care group. Those in the A-EMDR group will use an app to complete three therapy sessions per week for four weeks, alongside clinical sessions addressing therapeutic support, symptom review, and counseling. The usual care group will continue with their standard mental health treatments and attend two clinical sessions during the study period while being waitlisted for A-EMDR. During the study, researchers will assess changes in PTSD symptoms and substance use over the four-week treatment, with follow-up at week eight for the A-EMDR group. Clinical sessions will monitor participant progress, adherence, and engagement. The study will track outcomes primarily at four weeks and also evaluate the feasibility of using A-EMDR in this patient group. The total participation includes treatment and follow-up periods to ensure comprehensive data collection.

Efficacy of an EMDR App for PTSD and SUD