Background:

Although eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of PTSD for years, it remains controversial due to the lack of understanding of its mechanisms of action. We examined whether the working memory (WM) hypothesis –the competition for limited WM resources induced by the dual task attenuates the vividness and emotionality of the traumatic memory – would provide an explanation for the beneficial effect induced by bilateral stimulation.

Methods:

The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety among Syrian refugees who have experienced war trauma. Clinicians interviewed 94 patients and asked them to complete the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale three times: pretreatment, posttreatment and at the 12-month follow-up. In addition, PTSD, depression and anxiety were assessed using the PTSD Checklist, Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory at pretreatment, weekly, posttreatment and 12-month follow-up.

Background: Military members and police officers often operate in high stakes situations and under high levels of physical and psychological stress. Consequently, they may be confronted with morally injurious experiences and develop moral injury. Most treatments for moral injury are cognitive-behavioral, face-to-face treatments, which may be supported by online interventions. Online interventions have shown promise in the treatment of trauma-related psychopathology, but few such interventions for moral injury yet exist.

Background: Trauma-affected refugee patients benefit from psychological treatment to different degrees. Only a handful of studies has investigated potential predictors of treatment outcome that could throw light on the great variability in outcomes reported for this group. Such knowledge may be vital to better tailor prevention and treatment efforts to the needs of different individuals and subgroups among these patients.