Piloting Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in People Living with HIV and Trauma

Description

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is a time-limited trauma-response therapy that treats symptoms of stress that result disturbing life experiences. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy has been used to treat trauma-related symptoms for people living with HIV. People living with HIV tend to experience higher psychiatric morbidity rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms than the general population. However, even with case studies of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy on people living with HIV, there is no definitive protocol for the clinician as they navigate the therapy. This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy protocol tailored for people living with HIV and trauma. 20 people living with HIV will be recruited to participate in an eight-week Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. The therapy will be focused on assessing the viability of an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing protocol that is specified for people living with HIV.

Conditions

HIV Infected Individuals

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is a time-limited trauma-response therapy that treats symptoms of stress that result disturbing life experiences. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy has been used to treat trauma-related symptoms for people living with HIV. People living with HIV tend to experience higher psychiatric morbidity rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms than the general population. However, even with case studies of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy on people living with HIV, there is no definitive protocol for the clinician as they navigate the therapy. This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of delivering an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy protocol tailored for people living with HIV and trauma. 20 people living with HIV will be recruited to participate in an eight-week Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy. The therapy will be focused on assessing the viability of an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing protocol that is specified for people living with HIV.

Piloting Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in People Living with HIV and Trauma

Piloting Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in People Living with HIV and Trauma

Condition
HIV Infected Individuals
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Nashville

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Individuals that have lived with HIV for over a year.
  • 2. Age 18 or older
  • 3. Have experienced any type of trauma in their lifetime (for example: physical abuse, verbal abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, mental illness, substance addiction, imprisonment, witnessing or experiencing violence, natural disasters)
  • 1. have current suicidal ideation
  • 2. diagnosis with schizophrenia
  • 3. have active psychosis
  • 4. diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder
  • 5. have current severe major depression
  • 6. have previously received EMDR therapy.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Vanderbilt University Medical Center,

Study Record Dates

2025-04-30