Tiny tots, big healing: EMDR shows promise for preterm babies with trauma
NCT ID NCT07590778
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a storytelling version of EMDR therapy in 10 preterm-born infants (0-2 years old) who had post-traumatic stress symptoms from medical care. Parents reported daily on their child's symptoms, sleep, and emotional functioning. The goal was to see if this early intervention is feasible and can reduce trauma-related stress in these vulnerable babies.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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10 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2025
- Finished
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Feb 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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0 to 24 months
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Preterm birth (\<37 weeks gestational age) * Age between 0 and 24 months * Presence of frequent and severe post-traumatic stress symptoms (occurring daily to multiple times per week), considered related to medical trauma following premature birth * Not currently hospitalized * Availability of a parent or legal guardian able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Insufficient proficiency in Dutch to complete study procedures and questionnaires * Severe physical illness or medical condition that is considered to be the primary focus of clinical care and/or interferes with participation in the intervention * Current participation in other trauma-focused psychological treatment
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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St. Antonius Hospital
Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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