Background

People with mild intellectual disability (MID) or borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) often face higher risks of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This can lead to various behavioral issues. It’s essential to explore effective therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for these individuals.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of brief, intensive EMDR therapy provided by a team of rotating therapists for adults with MID-BIF, PTSD, and significant behavioral problems.

Methods

In this study, 11 adults with MID-BIF, PTSD, and severe behavioral issues participated in a maximum of 16 EMDR sessions, conducted twice daily over two weeks by six different therapists. We measured:

Severity of PTSD symptoms
Diagnosis of PTSD
Any negative events during treatment
Frequency and severity of behavioral problems
Adaptive behavior
Use of involuntary care

Measurements were taken before, during, after the treatment, and during follow-ups.

Results

The intensive EMDR therapy led to significant reductions in PTSD symptoms. Remarkably, nine out of 11 participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD immediately after treatment and maintained this improvement at the 9-week follow-up. However, there were no significant changes in behavioral problems or the use of involuntary care, and one participant dropped out of the study without any reported adverse events.