Impact of EMDR on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Urban Refugees in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract: Research has indicated that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a useful technique for lowering Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms in refugee populations around the world. The purpose of the study was to establish the impact of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing treatment on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms among a select group of urban refugees seeking services at an international non-governmental organization in Nairobi. A time series quasi-experimental design was used for the study. Participants were administered a sociodemographic survey, and the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. A total of sixty-nine participants who satisfied the clinical criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder according to the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, were randomized through simple random sampling. Treatment consisted of eight 90-minute Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing sessions with the experimental group. Both the experimental and control groups' Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition scores were obtained after 4 sessions (midline), and after 4 additional sessions (endline). Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 27. Findings of the study showed that the experimental group's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition scores significantly decreased over time. A repeated measures contrast analysis to examine the pattern of change in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder scores across the three timepoints indicated that the decrease in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder scores was statistically significant (F(1, 62) = 59.93, p < .001, partial η² = .492). These results demonstrate the value of focused psychological therapies and validate the effectiveness of the treatment.