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. 2025 Dec;16(1):2451478.
doi: 10.1080/20008066.2025.2451478. Epub 2025 Jan 21.

Effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents and young adults with PTSD in a naturalistic setting

Elvira M Rentinck  1 , Rosa van Mourik  2 , Ad de Jongh  3   4   5   6   7 , Suzy J M A Matthijssen  8
Affiliations

Effectiveness of an intensive outpatient treatment programme combining prolonged exposure and EMDR therapy for adolescents and young adults with PTSD in a naturalistic setting

Elvira M Rentinck et al. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2025 Dec.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

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.

Antecedentes: Las intervenciones psicoterapéuticas destinadas a tratar el trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes se ven obstaculizadas por las altas tasas de abandono. Si se analizan los resultados de los tratamientos para adultos, los programas de tratamiento cortos, intensivos, ambulatorios pueden ser una alternativa promisoria, pero aun no han sido probados en esta población juvenil.

Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados de un programa de tratamiento centrado en trauma ambulatorio de seis días para personas jóvenes (12-25 años) con TEPT. El tratamiento combino las terapias de exposición prolongada y EMDR, complementada con actividad física y la participación de familiares y/o amigos. El tratamiento fue realizado por un equipo rotativo de terapeutas.

Métodos: Participaron en el programa setenta y cuatro adolescentes y adultos jóvenes (89% mujeres, edad media = 18.6, 36 pacientes con edades entre 12–17 y 38 pacientes con edades entre 18-25; DE = 3.1) con TEPT y un mínimo de 4 recuerdos de eventos traumáticos del criterio A. Se evaluaron antes del tratamiento, al inicio y un mes después del tratamiento los síntomas de TEPT, síntomas depresivos y la carga percibida de los síntomas de trauma.

Resultados: Los pacientes mostraron una reducción significativa de síntomas de TEPT desde el antes del tratamiento hasta un mes después del tratamiento (d de Cohen = 1.66). De todos los pacientes, 52 (70%) mostraron una respuesta clínicamente significativa y 48 (65%) ya no reunía los criterios diagnósticos de TEPT un mes después del tratamiento. Los síntomas depresivos también disminuyeron significativamente (d de Cohen = 1.02). La tasa de abandono fue de 4% (N = 3). Ninguno de los pacientes experimentó eventos adversos o empeoramiento de síntomas.

Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que un programa de tratamiento corto, intensivo, ambulatorio que combina terapias de exposición prolongada, EMDR, actividad física, y participación de familiares y amigos es bien tolerado y constituye una alternativa de tratamiento eficaz y segura para adolescentes y adultos jóvenes con TEPT debido a traumas múltiples.

Keywords: EMDR therapy; PTSD; Post-traumatic stress disorder; TEPT; Trastorno de estrés postraumático; adolescentes; adolescents; adultos jóvenes; exposición prolongada; intensive trauma-focused treatment; network participation; participación de la red social; prolonged exposure; terapia EMDR; tratamiento intensivo centrado en el trauma; young adults.

Plain language summary

An intensive trauma-focused treatment programme, in an outpatient format has proven effective for adolescents and young adults.65% of the participants lost their PTSD diagnosis following six treatment days.Only 4% of patients dropped out and no adverse events occurred.

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Conflict of interest statement

Suzy Matthijssen receives income for the training of postdoctoral professionals in EMDR 2.0 and teaching about trauma related disorders and (intensive) trauma treatment. Ad de Jongh receives income for training of postdoctoral professionals in EMDR, EMDR 2.0 and teaching about trauma related disorders and (intensive) trauma treatment. The other authors have no conflict of interest to disclosure.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Total mean CAPS-5 scores (N = 70) with 95% intervals at pre-treatment and one month after treatment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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