The Effectiveness of EMDR Therapy as a Trauma-Focused Intervention for Reducing the Severity of PTSD Symptoms in Jordan: A Quasi-Experimental Trial

NCT07423832 | Completed DMC

• 2 other identifiers: JU-EMDR-PTSD-2023-2348ClinicalTrials.gov
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Here is a plain-language, registry-appropriate Brief Summary you can paste into the form. It is written for patients, families, and healthcare providers: Brief Summary This study examines whether Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy can reduce the severity of symptoms in adults experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Jordan. PTSD can develop after exposure to distressing or traumatic life events and may cause symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, sleep problems, anxiety, and emotional distress. A total of 70 adult participants with moderate to severe PTSD symptoms were enrolled. Participants were assigned to one of two groups: an EMDR therapy group or a waitlist control group. Individuals in the EMDR group received structured therapy sessions delivered by a trained mental-health professional, while those in the waitlist group did not receive therapy during the study period but were offered treatment after the study ended. PTSD symptom severity was measured before treatment, immediately after the therapy sessions, and again one month later. The goal of the study was to determine whether EMDR therapy leads to meaningful and lasting reductions in PTSD symptoms compared with no immediate treatment. The findings of this research are intended to help healthcare providers and policymakers understand the value of EMDR as a non-pharmacological, evidence-based treatment option for individuals experiencing trauma-related distress, and to support improvements in mental-health services and trauma-informed care in Jordan.

Conditions

PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Keywords

PTSD; EMDR; SEVERITY OF SYMPTOMS; JORDAN

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms

  Severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms measured using the Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screen (PC-PTSD) questionnaire at baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1), and one-month follow-up (T2).

  Baseline, immediately after intervention, and 1-month follow-up.

Study Arms (2)

EMDR Therapy Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm received Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy delivered by a licensed psychiatric mental-health professional trained in the standardized EMDR protocol. The intervention consisted of structured individual sessions (approximately 90 minutes each) conducted over several weeks. Sessions followed the established EMDR phases, including history taking, preparation, desensitization with bilateral stimulation, installation of positive cognitions, body scan, closure, and reevaluation. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at one-month follow-up.

Behavioral: EMDR

Waitlist Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm did not receive active psychological intervention during the study period and continued with usual care, if any. They completed the same outcome assessments at baseline, immediately after the intervention period for the EMDR group, and at one-month follow-up. After completion of all study assessments, participants in the waitlist control arm were offered the opportunity to receive EMDR therapy.

Interventions

EMDR BEHAVIORAL

Participants received Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a structured trauma-focused psychotherapy delivered individually by a licensed psychiatric mental-health professional trained in the standardized EMDR protocol. Sessions lasted approximately 90 minutes and were conducted three times per week over the intervention period. The protocol followed the established EMDR phases, including history taking, preparation, identification of target memories, bilateral stimulation (e.g., guided eye movements or alternating taps), installation of adaptive cognitions, body scan, closure, and reevaluation. Outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at one-month follow-up.

EMDR Therapy Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 years or older
• Probable PTSD or moderate-to-severe post-traumatic stress symptoms based on the screening instrument used in the study
• Exposure to at least one traumatic or highly stressful life event within the previous six months
• No prior receipt of EMDR therapy
• Willingness and ability to provide informed consent and participate in therapy sessions and assessments

You may not qualify if:

• Acute cognitive or intellectual disability that would interfere with comprehension of study procedures or questionnaires
• Significant visual impairment or visual pathology that would prevent full engagement with the visual components of EMDR therapy
• Inability to communicate effectively by phone for scheduled assessments
• Refusal or inability to provide informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Al-Quds University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Nursing

Amman, Aljubeiha, 11942, Jordan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Combat Disorders; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Interventions

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Ayman M. Hamdan-Mansour, Professor

  The University of Jordan

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: No masking was implemented. Participants, intervention providers, and outcome assessors were aware of group allocation throughout the study.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: assisstant professor

Model Details: This study used a two-arm parallel assignment design in which eligible participants were allocated to either an EMDR intervention group or a waitlist control group. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at one-month follow-up. Participants in the control arm did not receive active treatment during the study period but were offered EMDR therapy after completion of outcome assessments. No crossover between groups occurred during the trial.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 14, 2026
• First Posted: February 20, 2026
• Study Start: March 15, 2023
• Primary Completion: December 25, 2023
• Study Completion: February 14, 2024
• Last Updated: February 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

JO (1)