NCT07146633

Efficacy of an EMDR App for PTSD and SUD

Efficacy and Feasibility of Autonomous Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (A-EMDR) for Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Use Disorders

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The current proposal is aimed to confirm the efficacy of this novel therapeutic method (autonomous eye movement desensitization and reprocessing; A-EMDR) in a patient group (PTSD and SUD), and to assess the feasibility of the application within this group. While there is no basis to assume lower efficacy of the treatment with this population, confirming that hypothesis is an important and helpful step before a full-performance research study can be initiated. Furthermore, this study proposal will provide additional information regarding the feasibility for this population, which will allow for a more tailored approach in future study.

Detailed description

This is an open-label pilot randomized, wait-list controlled trial evaluating A-EMDR for the treatment of PTSD in patients with SUD for four weeks with a follow up at week eight. Primary outcomes will be measured at the end of the study (week 4) for both groups and at follow up (week 8) for the A-EMDR group.

Conditions

• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Substance Use Disorders

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	A-EMDR	Participants in the treatment group will receive Autonomous Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (A-EMDR) therapy delivered through an app on their device. Participants will be asked to complete 3 sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks. During the treatment period, participants will also attend clinical sessions which will focus on factors such as the therapeutic alliance, assessing the participant's current state, reviewing recent alcohol and drug use, reviewing PTSD symptoms, providing a brief counseling intervention, enhancing positive expectancies, inspiring hope, and encouraging adherence to the study protocol.
OTHER	Treatment as Usual (TAU)	Participants are advised to continue seeking mental health care as usual and will be added to a waitlist for A-EMDR. They will also attend two clinical sessions. Sessions may last 15 to 60 minutes and will focus on factors such as the therapeutic alliance, assessing the participant's current state, reviewing recent alcohol and drug use, reviewing PTSD symptoms, providing a brief counseling intervention, enhancing positive expectancies, inspiring hope, and encouraging adherence to the study protocol. Participants will continue to receive any usual healthcare services as per local standard of care. TAU and other medical appointments will be checked for attendance throughout the study period.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-20
• Primary completion: 2027-12-31
• Completion: 2027-12-31
• First posted: 2025-08-28
• Last updated: 2026-02-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada