Posttraumatic stress disorder in people with dementia : study protocol

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is considered an independent risk factor for dementia. Despite the (clinical) evidence that PTSD is associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia, studies on its prevalence and clinical manifestation are limited, and their quality is affected by the lack of a structured method to diagnose PTSD in this population. The primary aim of the current study is to validate the ‘TRAuma and DEmentia’ interview as a diagnostic tool for PTSD in people with dementia and to test feasibility of EMDR treatment for people with PTSD and dementia. 

Methods: This prospective multi-centre study is divided into two parts. In study A, 90 participants with dementia will be included to test the criterion validity, inter-rater reliability and feasibility of the ‘TRAuma and DEmentia’ interview. In study B, 29 participants with dementia and PTSD will receive eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy by a trained psychologist, and 29 participants with dementia and PTSD will be placed on the waiting list control group.

Conclusion: This study aims to improve the diagnostic process of PTSD and to assess the effects of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing treatment in people with dementia living in Dutch care facilities.

Trial registration: NL70479.068.20 / METC 20-063 / OSF registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/AKW4F