[Comparing the effectiveness of psychological debriefing, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, and imaginal exposure on treatment of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder]

Post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] is considered as one of the most prevalent disorder during the life time and can negatively influence the individual, family and social relationships of patients; so, prevention and treatment of this disorder is highly important. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing [EMDR], psychological debriefing [PD], and imaginal exposure [IE] are some treatment but there is controversy about long effects of these treatments, especially among chronic patients. In a semi experimental study, a total of 54 adult male patients, based on Davidson scale and psychiatric diagnostic, were randomly selected, and then were divided into 3 equal therapy groups. All participants were evaluated before, after and 3 months after the treatment. Data were analyzed through the repeated variance and Duncan post-hoc tests. Psychological debriefing and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing were better than imaginal exposure in relief of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder signs and remaining the effectiveness in three months follow-up. It is concluded that all of the above methods are effective on chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and the efficacy of the therapeutic techniques would be still in force even after 3 months. Considering the importance of psychological interventions, it is necessary that such methods be taught to psychologists so that they can use them after traumatic accidents

[Comparison of false memory among patients with post traumatic stress disorders [PTSD] based on the received psychological treatment]

False memory is more prevalent among PTSD patients. This memory can be affected by group and intensifies the symptoms of the disorder. Psychological Debriefing [PD] and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing [EMDR] are widely used for the treatment of PTSD patients. The efficacy of these treatments is controversial. A total of 219 PTSD patients were randomly selected and divided into three groups based on the received treatment type [EMDR, PD, control group]. All groups were evaluated and compared by using Rodiger and McDremott False Memory Scale. The EMDR group in comparison to the PD and control groups and the control group in comparison to the PD group showed lower rates of false memory [P<0.01]. Chi square showed that 21 percent of the variance of false memory could be explained by the type of received treatment. Considering lower level of false memory in EMDR group compared with other groups and the negative effects of false memory in identification of PTSD, EMDR is better than PD in the treatment of PTSD patients