Efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Adult patients diagnosed with PTSD will be randomly assigned to receive either EMDR therapy or SSRIs for a period of six weeks. The primary outcome is the rate of remission as measured by validated PTSD symptom severity scales at Week 6. Secondary outcomes include changes in functional impairment and patient-reported quality of life. The study seeks to determine whether EMDR therapy is a non-pharmacological alternative to SSRIs for achieving symptom remission in PTSD.

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Key information

Conditions

PTSD Behavior Combat Disorders Mental Disorders PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Combined Military Hospital, Nowshera, KPK, Pakistan

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age 18-60 years

Clinical diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Duration of illness ≥ 6 months

Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Current substance abuse or dependence

History of psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder

Active suicidal ideation

Concurrent psychotherapy or psychiatric medication (except study-assigned SSRI)

Treatment and study plan

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy

Behavioral

Patients in this arm will receive weekly EMDR sessions for 6 weeks

Other names: EMDR Therapy

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Drug

The patients will receive an SSRI medication daily for 6 weeks. The dose will be titrated by the clinician.

Primary outcomes

Remission rate at Week 6

Time frame: 6 weeks

Each group's proportion of participants achieving remission from PTSD is defined as having a score below 22 on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5; range 0-80, where higher scores indicate worse PTSD symptoms), a validated PTSD scale.

Secondary outcomes

Change in functional impairment score

Time frame: 6 weeks

Change from baseline to 6 weeks in functional impairment as measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF; range 26-130, higher scores = better quality of life), a validated quality of life scale.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Asad Ullah Jan

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2025
Study completion: 2025
First posted: May 2, 2025
Registry last updated: May 7, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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