Human Givens Rewind Treatment for PTSD and Sub-threshold Trauma

Rewind is a trauma-focussed imaginal exposure technique for posttraumatic stress disorder and sub-threshold trauma that is incorporated into Human Givens (HG) therapy. It has been claimed that multiple traumas can be treated in a single Rewind session and that trauma details do not need to be discussed during treatment. This dissertation intended to evaluate Rewind within the context of HG therapy. A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated all known studies on the efficacy of Rewind and HG therapy, including grey literature. There were 24 studies that met inclusion criteria for the systematic review. The quality of studies was mixed. While there was a lack of usable controls, all 13 studies in the meta-analysis had high data capture rates and low attrition rates. The effect size was equivalent to CBT benchmarks. The review considered issues in presenting data using effect size, ‘recovery’ rates, and ‘reliable improvement’. Results suggested that Rewind was a promising treatment and that practice-based studies could produce reliable, high quality data. The empirical study, completed prior to the meta-analysis, investigated the efficacy and acceptability of a single Rewind treatment session and assessed the efficacy of HG therapy against benchmarks. The Rewind treatment session was more effective than control treatment sessions in reducing symptoms and improving satisfaction with life. Severe, chronic and multiple traumas were effectively treated in a single session but many participants required further treatment. The Rewind session was rated as acceptable as other treatment sessions. Outcomes of HG therapy were comparable to CBT benchmarks, however, as there was no randomisation no conclusions should be drawn in comparing treatments. A pilot single session Rewind Clinic was assessed in the service evaluation. Service user pathways and qualitative data were collected. Most service users found the treatment helpful and acceptable, with 37% not requiring further treatment. Preliminary evidence suggested Rewind might have made treatment more accessible for shame-based traumas. More research is necessary.