Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing group therapy for frontline and emergency workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

INTERVENTION: The research will utilise a randomised control trial design (RCT) of two cohorts using a delayed treatment intervention: Experimental Cohort 1: EMDR therapy VGTEP Treatment (four sessions of 2 to 2.5 hours duration which equates to 8‐10 hours of treatment intervention) in a 1‐week period Control Cohort 2: Treatment as Usual (TAU) (4 weeks) + Delayed intervention of EMDR therapy VGTEP. Treatment will also be over a 1‐week period. EMDR therapy ‐ group intervention (group traumatic events protocol) delivered as a video‐conference psychotherapy CONDITION: Post‐traumatic stress disorder ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders ; Post‐traumatic stress disorder PRIMARY OUTCOME: ; 1. Subjective levels of distress or disturbance measured using the Subjective Unit of Disturbance/ Distress (SUD) scale at pre, post, 1‐month and 6‐month follow‐up; 2. Severity of anxiety symptoms measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD‐7) at pre, post, 1‐month and 6‐month follow‐up; 3. Severity of depression symptoms measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9) at pre, post, 1‐month and 6‐month follow‐up; 4. Core features of PTSD and CPTSD measured using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) at pre, post, 1‐month and 6‐month follow‐up; SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; 1. Imbalance between work effort and reward measured using the Effort‐Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERI) at pre, post, 1‐month and 6‐month follow‐up; 2. Perceived transgressions, betrayals, or violations to an individual’s moral code measured using the Moral Injury Event Scale (MIES) at pre, post, 1‐month and 6‐month follow‐up; 3. Health status measured using the EQ‐5D at pre, post, 1‐month and 6‐month follow‐up; 4. Exposure to adverse childhood experiences measured using the Adverse Childhood Experience International Questionnaire (ACE‐IQ) at pre timepoint only; 5. Exposure to benevolent factors in childhood measured using the Benevolent Childhood Experiences Score (BCEs) at pre timepoint only; INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Adults (aged 18 years and above) 2. Front line health, emergency & social care workers experiencing psychological distress & trauma in response to COVID‐19 3. Currently in active employment 4. Symptoms indicative of psychological distress and impact of psychological well‐being and functioning 5. Impact of Events Scale‐Revised Score of 24 and above