Effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents and young adults with PTSD in a naturalistic setting
Background: Psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adolescents and young adults are hampered by high dropout rates. Looking at the results from adult treatments, short, intensive, outpatient treatment programmes may offer a promising alternative, bu...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2025.2451478 |
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| author | Elvira M. Rentinck Rosa van Mourik Ad de Jongh Suzy J. M. A. Matthijssen |
| author_facet | Elvira M. Rentinck Rosa van Mourik Ad de Jongh Suzy J. M. A. Matthijssen |
| author_sort | Elvira M. Rentinck |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adolescents and young adults are hampered by high dropout rates. Looking at the results from adult treatments, short, intensive, outpatient treatment programmes may offer a promising alternative, but it has yet to be tested in this young population.Objective: To assess the results of a six-day intensive outpatient trauma-focused treatment programme for young individuals (12-25 years) with PTSD. The treatment combined prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy, supplemented with physical activity and the participation of relatives and/or friends. Treatment was performed by a rotating team of therapists.Methods: Seventy-four adolescents and young adults (89% women, mean age = 18.6 years, 36 patients aged 12–17 and 38 patients aged 18-25; SD = 3.1) with PTSD and a minimum of four memories of A-criterion traumatic events participated in the programme. PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and the perceived burden of trauma symptoms were assessed before treatment, at the start and one month after treatment.Results: Patients showed a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms from pre-treatment to one month after treatment (Cohen’s d = 1.66). Of all patients, 52 (70%) showed a clinically meaningful response, and 48 (65%) no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD one month after treatment. Depressive symptoms also decreased significantly (Cohen’s d = 1.02). The dropout rate was 4% (N = 3). None of the patients experienced an adverse event or worsening of symptoms.Conclusions: Results suggest that a short, intensive, outpatient therapy programme combining prolonged exposure, EMDR therapy, physical activity, and participation of relatives and friends, is well-tolerated, and an effective and safe treatment alternative for adolescents and young adults with PTSD due to multiple traumatization. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-36ede53e7d434ed4bfee8dc3d313952e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2000-8066 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
| spelling | doaj-art-36ede53e7d434ed4bfee8dc3d313952e2025-01-21T12:22:13ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology2000-80662025-12-0116110.1080/20008066.2025.2451478Effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents and young adults with PTSD in a naturalistic settingElvira M. Rentinck0Rosa van Mourik1Ad de Jongh2Suzy J. M. A. Matthijssen3GGZ Noord-Holland-Noord, Heiloo, the NetherlandsGGZ Noord-Holland-Noord Research Department, Heerhugowaard, the NetherlandsResearch Department, PSYTREC, Bilthoven, the NetherlandsAltrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Altrecht GGZ, Utrecht, the NetherlandsBackground: Psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adolescents and young adults are hampered by high dropout rates. Looking at the results from adult treatments, short, intensive, outpatient treatment programmes may offer a promising alternative, but it has yet to be tested in this young population.Objective: To assess the results of a six-day intensive outpatient trauma-focused treatment programme for young individuals (12-25 years) with PTSD. The treatment combined prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy, supplemented with physical activity and the participation of relatives and/or friends. Treatment was performed by a rotating team of therapists.Methods: Seventy-four adolescents and young adults (89% women, mean age = 18.6 years, 36 patients aged 12–17 and 38 patients aged 18-25; SD = 3.1) with PTSD and a minimum of four memories of A-criterion traumatic events participated in the programme. PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and the perceived burden of trauma symptoms were assessed before treatment, at the start and one month after treatment.Results: Patients showed a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms from pre-treatment to one month after treatment (Cohen’s d = 1.66). Of all patients, 52 (70%) showed a clinically meaningful response, and 48 (65%) no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD one month after treatment. Depressive symptoms also decreased significantly (Cohen’s d = 1.02). The dropout rate was 4% (N = 3). None of the patients experienced an adverse event or worsening of symptoms.Conclusions: Results suggest that a short, intensive, outpatient therapy programme combining prolonged exposure, EMDR therapy, physical activity, and participation of relatives and friends, is well-tolerated, and an effective and safe treatment alternative for adolescents and young adults with PTSD due to multiple traumatization.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2025.2451478Post-traumatic stress disorderPTSDintensive trauma-focused treatmentprolonged exposureEMDR therapyadolescents |
| spellingShingle | Elvira M. Rentinck Rosa van Mourik Ad de Jongh Suzy J. M. A. Matthijssen Effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents and young adults with PTSD in a naturalistic setting European Journal of Psychotraumatology Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD intensive trauma-focused treatment prolonged exposure EMDR therapy adolescents |
| title | Effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents and young adults with PTSD in a naturalistic setting |
| title_full | Effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents and young adults with PTSD in a naturalistic setting |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents and young adults with PTSD in a naturalistic setting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents and young adults with PTSD in a naturalistic setting |
| title_short | Effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents and young adults with PTSD in a naturalistic setting |
| title_sort | effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and emdr therapy for adolescents and young adults with ptsd in a naturalistic setting |
| topic | Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD intensive trauma-focused treatment prolonged exposure EMDR therapy adolescents |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20008066.2025.2451478 |
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