A newly published study in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research suggests that mobile applications modelled on Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy may help alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as related conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain.
The pilot randomised controlled trial, led by psychologist Mark Grant, assessed the Healing Trauma App Series (HTAS)—a collection of four mobile applications—on 77 individuals diagnosed with PTSD and co-occurring health issues. Over a three-month period, those in the treatment group saw a notable reduction in symptoms compared to a waitlist control group, with average improvements nearing 40%.
“This is the first study of its kind to evaluate EMDR-inspired apps for PTSD,” said Grant. “While the sample was small and dropout rates were high, the results are promising – especially for those dealing with complex PTSD and physical comorbidities.”
HTAS includes four targeted apps: Anxiety Release, Overcoming, Sleep Restore, and Calm and Confident. Each integrates bilateral stimulation (BLS), guided imagery, and EMDR-informed techniques to address the four most common PTSD-related symptoms. BLS is a treatment element of EMDR, which has been found to stimulate relaxation and access to positive mental states.
The authors recommend a larger-scale study with added clinician support to improve adherence and further validate the findings. With over 100,000 combined downloads and a 4+ star rating, the HTAS apps are already making headway in the mobile mental health landscape.