Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing group therapy for frontline and emergency workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Early intervention eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (virtual group traumatic episode protocol) for front line health, emergency and social care workers experiencing psychological distress and trauma in response to COVID-19 – a randomized control study

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN16933691

Enrollment

Registered

2021-07-14

Start date

2020-07-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2023-05-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Post-traumatic stress disorder Mental and Behavioural Disorders Post-traumatic stress disorder

Interventions

The research will utilise a randomised control trial design (RCT) of two cohorts using a delayed treatment intervention: Experimental Cohort 1: EMDR therapy VGTEP Treatment (four sessions of 2 to 2.5

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Adults (aged 18 years and above) 2. Front line health, emergency & social care workers experiencing psychological distress & trauma in response to COVID-19 3. Currently in active employment 4. Symptoms indicative of psychological distress and impact of psychological well-being and functioning 5. Impact of Events Scale-Revised Score of 24 and above

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Currently not in active service 2. Currently in receipt of psychiatric or psychological treatment 3. Suicidal ideation

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Subjective levels of distress or disturbance measured using the Subjective Unit of Disturbance/ Distress (SUD) scale at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 2. Severity of anxiety symptoms measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 3. Severity of depression symptoms measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 4. Core features of PTSD and CPTSD measured using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Subjective levels of distress or disturbance measured using the Subjective Unit of Disturbance/ Distress (SUD) scale at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 2. Severity of anxiety symptoms measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 3. Severity of depression symptoms measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 4. Core features of PTSD and CPTSD measured using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Imbalance between work effort and reward measured using the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERI) at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 2. Perceived transgressions, betrayals, or violations to an individual’s moral code measured using the Moral Injury Event Scale (MIES) at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 3. Health status measured using the EQ-5D at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 4. Exposure to adverse childhood experiences measured using the Adverse Childhood Experience International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) at pre timepoint only 5. Exposure to benevolent factors in childhood measured using the Benevolent Childhood Experiences Score (BCEs) at pre timepoint only	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Imbalance between work effort and reward measured using the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERI) at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 2. Perceived transgressions, betrayals, or violations to an individual’s moral code measured using the Moral Injury Event Scale (MIES) at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 3. Health status measured using the EQ-5D at pre, post, 1-month and 6-month follow-up 4. Exposure to adverse childhood experiences measured using the Adverse Childhood Experience International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) at pre timepoint only 5. Exposure to benevolent factors in childhood measured using the Benevolent Childhood Experiences Score (BCEs) at pre timepoint only

—

Countries

Ireland

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 9, 2026