Tests EMDR therapy for trauma symptoms in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Tests EMDR trauma therapy added to usual care in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: The Key to Integrated Trauma Treatment in Psychosis Trial
Key facts
- Where
- Bergen, Haugesund, Oslo, Sandnessjøen, Stavanger, Tromsø, and Trondheim, NorwaySee the 11 sites
Where in Norway
- Betanien DPSBergen, NorwayTaking people
- Haukeland University HospitalBergen, NorwayTaking people
- Solli DPSBergen, NorwayTaking people
- Voss DPS BjørkeliBergen, NorwayTaking people
- Helse Fonna HFHaugesund, NorwayTaking people
- Diakonhjemmet HospitalOslo, NorwayTaking people
- Oslo University HospitalOslo, NorwayTaking people
- Helgeland Hospital HFSandnessjøen, NorwayTaking people
- Stavanger University HospitalStavanger, NorwayTaking people
- UNNTromsø, NorwayTaking people
- St. Olav HospitalTrondheim, NorwayTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Haukeland University Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT06608706
- Record updated
- 24 April 2026
- Original description
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) have a significant trauma etiology: trauma has been reported in 65 - 80% in this patient group and have a negative impact on prognosis. Trauma treatment is currently not offered in SSDs due to a lack of evidence. KIT is a pragmatic trial comparing the effectiveness of added trauma focused therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to standard treatment in SSDs.Read full original descriptionShow less
The Key to Integrated Trauma Treatment in Psychosis (Kit) Trial: A Pragmatic, Multicenter Effectiveness RCT of EMDR for Trauma Symptoms in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) have a significant trauma etiology: trauma has been reported in 65 - 80% in this patient group and have a negative impact on prognosis. Trauma treatment is currently not offered in SSDs due to a lack of evidence. KIT is a pragmatic trial comparing the effectiveness of added trauma focused therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to standard treatment in SSDs.
The study will compare EMDR as add on to treatment as usual (TAU) to TAU in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). The overall aim is to examine the effectiveness of EMDR on trauma symptoms in SSDs.
Participants will receive max. 26 sessions of EMDR, and complete assessments before, during and after the course of therapy, in addition to a period of time (6 months) after therapy to examine long-term effects.
Inclusion: aged ≥ 16 years; diagnosis of F20-29 in the ICD-10 assessed using SCID 5 CV; reporting trauma \> 1 month prior to assessment; being currently distressed by the reported trauma(s), i.e., ≥ 5 (from 0 = not at all, to 10 = extremely) on item 21c on the Trauma and Life Events Checklist (TALE); able and motivated for engaging in trauma focused (TF) therapy; able to understand and give informed consent; consent capacity for psychological treatment choices and consent to study procedures.
Exclusion: acute state of psychosis defined as:; hospitalized in an acute ward the last 6 weeks or; major change in antipsychotic medication type or started/stopped antipsychotic medication last 6 weeks or; other mental health crises last 6 weeks; current or previous (past 6 months) TF therapy; organic psychosis or a neurological disorder; primary diagnosis of substance use/alcohol dependence; inability to understand spoken Norwegian.