The Key to Integrated Trauma Treatment in Psychosis (Kit) Trial: a Pragmatic, Multicenter Effectiveness RCT of EMDR for Trauma Symptoms in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) have a significant trauma etiology: trauma has been reported in 65 - 80% in this patient group and have a negative impact on prognosis. Trauma treatment is currently not offered in SSDs due to a lack of evidence. KIT is a pragmatic trial comparing the effectiveness of added trauma focused therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to standard treatment in SSDs. The study will compare EMDR as add on to treatment as usual (TAU) to TAU in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). The overall aim is to examine the effectiveness of EMDR on trauma symptoms in SSDs. Participants will receive max. 26 sessions of EMDR, and complete assessments before, during and after the course of therapy, in addition to a period of time (6 months) after therapy to examine long-term effects.
• aged ≥ 16 years
• diagnosis of F20-29 in the ICD-10 assessed using SCID 5 CV
• reporting trauma \> 1 month prior to assessment
• being currently distressed by the reported trauma(s), i.e., ≥ 5 (from 0 = not at all, to 10 = extremely) on item 21c on the Trauma and Life Events Checklist (TALE)
• able and motivated for engaging in trauma focused (TF) therapy
• able to understand and give informed consent; consent capacity for psychological treatment choices and consent to study procedures.