Early EMDR Following Covid-19 Critical Illness: A Feasibility Trial

A significant number of patients worldwide, have been admitted to intensive care suffering from Covid-19 related organ failure. Patients who survive a period of critical illness have a disproportionately high chance of suffering from significant and persistant poor psychological outcomes. Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) has reduced incidence of psychological morbidity in war veterans and victims of man-made and natural disasters. Small studies have also shown it to be effective in healthcare settings, within the Emergency department, following cancer diagnosis and implantation of cardioverter defibrillators. EMDR is validated by UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidance for use in treating adult onset PTSD. Because of ongoing social distancing guidance our study programme aims to investigate whether it is feasible to treat patients with an early online Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) intervention, delivered soon after hospital discharge and whether this intervention will improve psychological outcome for survivors of critical illness.