A randomized trial of virtual reality eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for major depressive disorder with childhood trauma: A 3-month follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is effective in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) with childhood trauma, and virtual reality (VR) can further extend its application form. However, the utilization of VR-EMDR in treating MDD with childhood trauma is still in its infancy, and whether it can improve depressive symptoms and traumatic experience remains unknown. METHOD: Seventy-two MDD patients were randomly allocated to the intervention group and the wait-list control group on a 1:1 basis. The intervention group received 12-session VR-EMDR, while another group received no intervention. We used Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 Version (24-HDRS) to assess the patient's subjective and objective depressive symptoms, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Check List-Civilian (PCL-C) to assess the patient's traumatic experience, the Massachusetts General Hospital Cognitive and Physical Functioning Questionnaire, and the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery to assess the patient's subjective and objective cognitive performance. RESULTS: < .05). CONCLUSIONS: VR-EMDR is effective in improving depressive symptoms, traumatic experience, and cognitive performance in MDD with childhood trauma. Part of the effects can be maintained 3 months after the intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).