Effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment in post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth: A randomized controlled trial protocol

摘要

Introduction: A traumatic experience of childbirth is an important public health issue. Approximately 1-2% of women suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth. To date, no large research project has attempted to evaluate psychotherapeutic interventions for women suffering from PTSD after childbirth in a randomized controlled trial. Qualitative pilot studies and clinical expertise suggest that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment is a highly successful psychotherapy for women suffering from traumatic birth. Moreover, EMDR is internationally recognized and recommended as one of the interventions of choice in PTSD treatment. The aim of this publication is to present the research protocol of a controlled randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of EMDR for PTSD following childbirth and the optimal time for initiating such therapy.