Treatment of Vietnam War veterans with PTSD: a comparison of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, biofeedback, and relaxation training

J Trauma Stress. 1995 Apr;8(2):337-42. doi: 10.1007/BF02109568.

Abstract

Analyses of scaled self-report data from Vietnam War veterans receiving inpatient treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder drawn during a program evaluation study suggested inpatient treatment as provided by the program resulted in significant improvement in the areas of Anxiety, Anger, Depression, Isolation, Intrusive Thoughts (of combat experiences), Flashbacks, Nightmares (of combat experiences), and Relationship Problems. Comparing the relative effects of the incremental addition of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Relaxation Training, and Biofeedback found that EMDR was for most problems the most effective extra treatment, greatly increasing the positive impact of the treatment program.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biofeedback, Psychology*
  • Desensitization, Psychologic / methods*
  • Eye Movements
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Relaxation Therapy*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*
  • United States
  • Veterans / psychology*
  • Vietnam