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

NCT06730867 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 240542
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 14
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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

Keywords

HIV; EMDR; trauma

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Recruitment of PLHIV and trauma to participate in EMDR

  Recruitment will be assessed by the rate of enrollment (participants/month).

  9 months

• Study Retention

  Retention will be assessed by counting the number of participants who are retained throughout the study.

  10 months

• Engagement

  Engagement will be assessed by counting the number of EMDR sessions attended by participants

  10 months

• Intervention Fidelity

  Fidelity will be assessed by the EMDR Fidelity Rating Scale

  10 months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Program Completion

  10 months

• Data Collection Completion

  10 months

• Intervention Evaluation

  10 months

Study Arms (1)

People Living With HIV (PLHIV)

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: EMDR Therapy Protocol

Interventions

EMDR Therapy Protocol BEHAVIORAL

The intervention involves an eight-week program that details a specific EMDR protocol and questionnaire for people living with HIV. The EMDR sessions occur once a week for eight weeks under the supervision of the investigator.

Also known as: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

People Living With HIV (PLHIV)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals that have lived with HIV for over a year.
• Age 18 or older
• 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)

You may not qualify if:

• have current suicidal ideation
• diagnosis with schizophrenia
• have active psychosis
• diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder
• have current severe major depression
• have previously received EMDR therapy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Vanderbilt University Medical Center: lead

Study Sites (1)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Wounds and Injuries

Interventions

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Desensitization, Psychologic; Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 20, 2024
• First Posted: December 12, 2024
• Study Start: July 29, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2025
• Study Completion: April 30, 2025
• Last Updated: June 24, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)