A TRIAL OF EYE-MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION COMPARED TO IMAGE HABITUATION TRAINING AND APPLIED MUSCLE-RELAXATION IN POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER

Thirty-six patients with PTSD were randomly allocated to individual treatment with imaginal exposure (image habituation training - IHT), or applied muscle relaxation (AMR) or eye movement desensitization (EMD). Assessment by a blind independent rater and self-report instruments applied pre and posttreatment and at 3-month follow-up indicated that all groups improved significantly compared with a waiting list and that treatment benefits were maintained at follow-up. Despite a failure to demonstrate differences among groups, there was some suggestion that immediately after treatment EMD was superior for intrusive memories.