The Key to Integrated Trauma Treatment in Psychosis Trial: A Randomized Study of EMDR Therapy for Trauma Symptoms in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as an add-on treatment for trauma symptoms in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Trauma is common in this group and negatively affects prognosis, but trauma treatment is not currently standard due to limited evidence. This pragmatic, assessor-blinded, randomized trial compares EMDR plus treatment as usual (TAU) to TAU alone, aiming to reduce trauma symptoms and improve personalized therapy approaches. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive up to 26 sessions of EMDR designed specifically for psychosis, alongside their usual treatments, or to continue with TAU as a waiting list control for six months. EMDR therapy includes eight flexible phases targeting trauma memory reprocessing with adaptations for psychosis-related challenges. The study includes careful monitoring of trauma symptoms, psychosis severity, autonomic arousal, and inflammation markers throughout treatment and follow-up. Participants will complete assessments at baseline, mid-treatment (12 weeks), end of treatment (6 months), and at 6- and 12-months post-randomization to evaluate long-term effects. Digital self-reports, blood samples, biosensor measurements during sessions, and clinical records will be used to track symptoms, safety, and treatment adherence. The primary outcome is trauma symptom change measured by the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). Additional measures include psychosis symptoms, stress biomarkers, and patient experience. The total study duration for each participant covers at least 12 months of follow-up.

The Key to Integrated Trauma Treatment in Psychosis Trial