Quantitative changes inmental healthmeasures with 3MDR treatment for Canadian militarymembers and veterans

Objective: Military members and veterans are at elevated risk of treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (TR-PTSD) due to higher rates of exposure to potentially
traumatic events during the course of duty. Knowledge of TR-PTSD is limited, and specific protocols or evidence-based TR-PTSD therapies are lacking. Multimodal motion-assisted memory desensitization and reconsolidation (3MDR) therapy is an emerging intervention for combat-related TR-PTSD. The purpose of this study was to preliminarily assess the effectiveness of 3MDR in addressing TR-PTSD in Canadian militarymembers and veterans.

 

Methods: This study is a longitudinal mixed-methods clinical trial. English-speaking military members and veterans aged 18–60 with TR-PTSD were recruited to  participate. The intervention consisted of six sessions of 3MDR therapy. Quantitative data were collected pretreatment, posttreatment, and longitudinally at 1, 3, and 6 months after completion of 3MDR.

 

Results: Results from the first 11 participants to complete the 3MDR protocol exhibited statistically significant improvement (surviving multiple comparison correction)
in clinically administered and self-reported scores for PTSD (CAPS-5 and PCL-5), moral injury (MISS-M-SF), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), emotional regulation
(DERS-18), and resilience (CD-RS-25).

 

Conclusion: The preliminary and exploratory results from this clinical trial support the growing body of literature illustrating 3MDR as an effective treatment for  militaryrelated TR-PTSD. These results are notable given participants’ previous lack of success with frontline psychotherapeutic and pharmacological interventions. Given that there are currently very limited treatment options for TR-PTSD, 3MDR could prove to be a valuable treatment option for militarymembers and veterans with TR-PTSD.

Reference: 
Chelsea Jones, Lorraine Smith-MacDonald, Matthew Robert Graham Brown, Ashley Pike, Eric Vermetten, Suzette Brémault-Phillips | 2022
In: Brain and Behavior ; ISSN: 2157-9032 | e2694
https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2694
Keywords: 
3MDR (Military Motion Memory Desensitization and Reprocessing) (en), Abuse Propensity, Adults, Anxiety Disorders, Canadians, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Depressive Disorders, Effectiveness, EMDR, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Emotional Regulation, Interventions, Mental health, Military Personnel, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Psychotrauma, PTSD (DSM-5), PTSD (en), Treatment, Veterans
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