Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in Alcohol Dependent Patients

IrisZorg109 enrolled

Overview

One interesting approach to the treatment of addiction is the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) (Shapiro, 1989). Although research on the feasibility and efficacy of EMDR on addiction is limited and often lacks methodological rigor, the results are promising and suggest that further research on this subject is warranted. This proposal consists of two studies to test and determine the acceptability, feasibility and efficacy of EMDR as an intervention to reduce craving and alcohol use in alcohol dependent outpatients as well as to gain further understanding in underlying working mechanisms.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

109

Conditions

Alcohol Dependence

Interventions

EMDRBEHAVIORAL

EMDR is a protocolized, evidence-based treatment for PTSD. Here we use it to target addiction memory representations that elicit craving and may influence drinking behavior. The EMDR study protocol is based on the standard EMDR protocol and other EMDR approaches used in addiction.

Community Reinforcement ApproachBEHAVIORAL

CRA is based on behavioural therapy principles: 1. Functional analysis 2. Communication skills 3. Problem-solving skills 4. Sobriety sampling 5. Social networking 6. Refusal of substances 7. Reinforcing activities 8. Relapse management 9. Medication monitoring

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * A primary diagnosis of alcohol dependence or abuse (meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV-TR criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2000); * Age of at least 18 years or older; * Can speak and read Dutch language; * Consent (written) to postponed information given. Exclusion Criteria: * Meeting the DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) criteria for current (in the past 2 weeks) addiction and regular use (at least once per week in the last two weeks before baseline screening) of drugs other than alcohol or nicotine (relative exclusion: decision on case-by-case basis whether it leads to therapy-interference); * Meeting the DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) criteria for current (in the last two weeks before baseline screening) regular alcohol use (at least \> 21E (women) or \> 28E (men) per week) (relative exclusion: decision on case-by-case basis) (relative exclusion: decision on case-by-case basis whether it leads to therapy-interference); * Meeting the DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) criteria for current post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); * Severe, current (since the start of regular treatment) psychiatric symptoms (especially manic, psychotic, suicidal and aggressive symptoms) that may endanger participants or others and jeopardize study adherence.

Locations (1)

IrisZorg

Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Changes in number of heavy drinking days in the previous 30 days

Changes in patient-reported number of heavy drinking days (defined as days on which 5 or more standard drinks of alcohol were consumed during the previous 30 days, as assessed with the alcohol TimeLine FollowBack (TLFB) method).

Time frame: Changes in baseline number of heavy drinking days in the previous 30 days, at post-intervention, and 1 and 6 month follow-up

Secondary Outcomes

Time to first alcohol consumption

Time to first alcohol consumption as measured by the alcohol Timeline FollowBack method (TLFB)

Time frame: Up to 6 months post-intervention

Changes in number of total drinks consumed in the previous 30 days

Changes in number of drinks consumed in the previous 30 days as measured by the alcohol TLFB

Time frame: Changes in baseline number of total drinks consumed in the previous 30 days, at post-intervention, and 1 and 6 month follow-up

Changes in average drinks per occasion in the previous 30 days

Changes in average drinks per occasion in the past 30 days as measured by the alcohol TLFB

Time frame: Changes in baseline average drinks per occasion in the previous 30 days, at post-intervention, and 1 and 6 month follow-up

Changes in severity of patient-reported problematic alcohol use

Changes in severity of patient-reported problematic alcohol use during the previous month as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)

Time frame: Changes in baseline severity of patient-reported problematic alcohol use, at post-intervention, and 1 and 6 month follow-up

Changes in biomarker levels

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.