World Trade Center: A longitudinal case study for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with Emotional Freedom Technique and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Issue title: Special Section: Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Healthcare

Guest editors: Valerie J. Rice

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nicosia, Gregory J.^{a; *} | Minewiser, Lorna^b | Freger, Amanda^a

Affiliations: [a] Advanced Diagnostics PC, Pittsburgh, PA, USA | [b] Coach Minewiser, West Sacramento, CA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Gregory J. Nicosia, Ph.D., Advanced Diagnostics PC, 3519 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh PA 15213, USA. Tel.: +1 412 683 8378; Fax: +1 412 683 1215; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have been empirically validated as effective psychotherapeutic interventions for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This single subject design case study is of a survivor of the Twin Towers collapse who was treated for prolonged PTSD complicated by dissociated memories. OBJECTIVE:EMDR and EFT’s effectiveness in treating PTSD were evaluated. METHOD:Multiple assessments using Trauma Symptom Inventory (TSI) and Personality combination with EMDR were conducted. RESULTS:Effects of a single session of EFT assessed immediately after treatment demonstrated an elimination of clinically significant scores on both the TSI and PAI. The participant concluded treatment with nearly complete symptom remediation and a return to work. CONCLUSION:The combination of treatment methods appears to be highly effective and allowed this subject to return to work after many years of disability.

Keywords: Trauma, dissociation, energy psychology, 9/11 survivor

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-192921

Journal: Work, vol. 63, no. 2, pp. 199-204, 2019