AUTHOR=Faretta Elisa , Garau M. Ignazia , Gallina Eugenio , Pagani Marco , Fernandez Isabel TITLE=Supporting healthcare workers in times of COVID-19 with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing online: A pilot study JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology VOLUME=13 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.964407 DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.964407 ISSN=1664-1078 ABSTRACT=

We report the results of a pilot study regarding the adaptation of the group eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) protocol for the treatment online, for the management of trauma associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy. The target group were healthcare workers in a nursing home (Residenza sanitaria assistita, RSA) who decided to live and stay on site during the most acute phase of the Pandemic in order to protect the residents of the home. Scores for perceived post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and quality of emotional experience improved significantly following participation in the therapy programme. These preliminary results confirm the innovative potential of the EMDR protocol when used online on early intervention, to prevent the development of later psychological disturbances.