Comparaison de protocoles de groupe EMDR et thérapie cognitivo-comportementale (TCC) pour traiter les traumatismes en contexte humanitaire mis en place par des para-professionnels

Introduction

In humanitarian crisis situations, populations are often at high risk of exposure to traumatic events and the development of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Objective

The main objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two types of trauma treatment in a humanitarian context, administered in a group setting by para-professionals. These were a trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-T) protocol and a group protocol adapted from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), called G-TEP (Group Traumatic Episode Protocol).

Methods

The study was conducted in the Central African Republic on adult men and women with symptoms of PTSD. After a psychoeducation session about the traumatic symptoms developed following traumatic episodes, they were randomly assigned to receive either CBT-T or G-TEP treatment. Participants’ PTSD symptoms, anxiety and depression were assessed before and after 6 treatment sessions.

Results

The results showed that both protocols were effective in significantly reducing PTSD, depression and anxiety scores. No significant differences were observed between the two protocols.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the CBT-T and G-TEP protocols, administered by para-professionals, are both effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in people living in humanitarian crisis situations.