RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07146633

Efficacy of an EMDR App for PTSD and SUD

Efficacy and Feasibility of Autonomous Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (A-EMDR) for Patients With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Use Disorders

Sponsor

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Enrollment

24 participants

Start Date

Jan 20, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Substance Use Disorders Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Summary

The current proposal is aimed to confirm the efficacy of this novel therapeutic method (autonomous eye movement desensitization and reprocessing; A-EMDR) in a patient group (PTSD and SUD), and to assess the feasibility of the application within this group. While there is no basis to assume lower efficacy of the treatment with this population, confirming that hypothesis is an important and helpful step before a full-performance research study can be initiated. Furthermore, this study proposal will provide additional information regarding the feasibility for this population, which will allow for a more tailored approach in future study.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Aged 18-years old or older
Fluent in English
Diagnosed with PTSD by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5 past month version score \>32)
Diagnosed with past-year substance use disorder other than caffeine by structured clinical interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5)
Agrees not to participate in other treatments during the study duration (e.g., mindfulness, yoga, biofeedback, self-hypnosis or tai chi) except individuals who have been already on continuous therapies for at least three months

Exclusion Criteria2

Diagnosis of a severe or unstable mental illness that precludes safe participation in the study by a healthcare practitioner such as acute psychosis or mania diagnosed by a healthcare practitioner
Current suicidality risk as indicated during the conduct of the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) (21) with concurrence after a study physician's evaluation if the response to C-SSRS questions 1 or 2 is "yes"

Interventions

BEHAVIORALA-EMDR

Participants in the treatment group will receive Autonomous Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (A-EMDR) therapy delivered through an app on their device. Participants will be asked to complete 3 sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks. During the treatment period, participants will also attend clinical sessions which will focus on factors such as the therapeutic alliance, assessing the participant's current state, reviewing recent alcohol and drug use, reviewing PTSD symptoms, providing a brief counseling intervention, enhancing positive expectancies, inspiring hope, and encouraging adherence to the study protocol.

OTHERTreatment as Usual (TAU)

Participants are advised to continue seeking mental health care as usual and will be added to a waitlist for A-EMDR. They will also attend two clinical sessions. Sessions may last 15 to 60 minutes and will focus on factors such as the therapeutic alliance, assessing the participant's current state, reviewing recent alcohol and drug use, reviewing PTSD symptoms, providing a brief counseling intervention, enhancing positive expectancies, inspiring hope, and encouraging adherence to the study protocol. Participants will continue to receive any usual healthcare services as per local standard of care. TAU and other medical appointments will be checked for attendance throughout the study period.