Using Eye Movement Therapy to Treat Substance Use Disorders
What Works and Why? Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing As a Potential Treatment for Substance Use Disorders
This study is testing whether Eye Movement Therapy can help adults with substance use disorders who have also experienced trauma feel better and recover more effectively.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 64 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hospital Clinic of Barcelona Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Barcelona) |
| Trial ID | NCT05488691 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) who have also experienced trauma. The research aims to address the often-overlooked connection between psychological trauma and SUD, which can hinder recovery and lead to high relapse rates. Participants will undergo EMDR therapy alongside treatment as usual (TAU) to evaluate improvements in their condition. The study will include adults aged 18 to 65 with a primary diagnosis of moderate to severe SUD and current posttraumatic symptoms.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 65 with a primary diagnosis of moderate to severe substance use disorder and a history of traumatic experiences.
Not a fit: Patients who have received trauma-focused therapy in the last 5 years or have severe dissociative symptoms may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients with substance use disorders by addressing underlying trauma.
How similar studies have performed: While EMDR has shown promise in treating PTSD and other disorders, its application in substance use disorders is still limited and not extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * A primary DSM-5 diagnosis of moderate to severe SUD, assessed by a clinical interview. * No active drug consumption. * Having experienced one or more traumatic events, assessed by the Life Event Checklist DSM-5 (LEC-5) and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). * Current posttraumatic symptoms, evaluated with the Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). * Aged from 18 to 65 years old. * Sign an informed consent to participate in the study. * Capable of speaking and comprehending Catalan or Spanish. Exclusion Criteria: * Having received a trauma-focused therapy within the last 5 years. * Severe dissociative symptoms according to the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES). * Presence of acute suicidal ideation. * Acute episode of a comorbid psychiatric disorder. * Severe cognitive impairments. * Medical illness that compromises the HPA-axis. * Long-term exposure to corticoids. * Claustrophobia. * Subjects with pacemakers. * Presence of metallic objects within the body. * Pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Barcelona
- Hospital Clínic de Barcelona — Barcelona, Spain (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Laia Miquel de Montagut
- Email: miquel@clinic.cat
- Phone: 0034932275400
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.