Francine Shapiro Library - EMDR Bibliography Links

 

 

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1. Descilo, T. (1999). Amelioration of death-related trauma with traumatic incident reduction (TIR) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). In C. R. Figley (Ed.), Traumatology of grieving: conceptual, theoretical, and treatment foundations (pp. 153-182). Philadelphia: Brunner/Mazel.

Language: English

Format: Book Section

Abstract:
The author notes the significance of the child-adult system and the effects of the death of either person on the other. She describes two treatment approaches: traumatic incident resolution (TIR) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Both approaches are reviewed, beginning with the theoretical model on which they are based. In a synthesis of both TIR and EMDR, the author offers "clinical traumatology skills" to overcome the potential bias introduced by the therapist. She discusses three focusing drills to develop practitioners' effectiveness in focusing on the most critical issues and procedures of trauma work. Acknowledgement and closure drills enable practitioners to more effectively end trauma work sessions. The author also discusses what effective trauma treatment should look like. These end points help assure both client and therapist that the distress associated with the memories has been removed permanently. After discussing the role of emotions in processing traumatic events, the chapter focuses on TIR and then EMDR regarding assessment and treatment procedures. This is followed by a discussion of what can go wrong when applying the treatment procedures. The chapter ends with presentation and discussion of a case example. [Adapted from Introduction]

Keywords: Assessment  Bereavement  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  Psychotherapeutic Processes  PTSD  Survivors  TIR  Traumatic Incident Reduction  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

2. Descilo, T. (1999). Amelioration of death-related trauma with traumatic incident reduction (TIR) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). In C. Figley (Ed.), Death-Related Trauma: Conceptual, Theoretical, and Treatemnt Foundations. London: Taylor & Francis.

Language: English

Format: Book Section

Abstract: The author notes the significance of the child-adult system and the effects of the death of either person on the other. She describes two treatment approaches: traumatic incident resolution (TIR) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Both approaches are reviewed, beginning with the theoretical model on which they are based. In a synthesis of both TIR and EMDR, the author offers "clinical traumatology skills" to overcome the potential bias introduced by the therapist. She discusses three focusing drills to develop practitioners' effectiveness in focusing on the most critical issues and procedures of trauma work. Acknowledgement and closure drills enable practitioners to more effectively end trauma work sessions. The author also discusses what effective trauma treatment should look like. These end points help assure both client and therapist that the distress associated with the memories has been removed permanently. After discussing the role of emotions in processing traumatic events, the chapter focuses on TIR and then EMDR regarding assessment and treatment procedures. This is followed by a discussion of what can go wrong when applying the treatment procedures. The chapter ends with presentation and discussion of a case example. [Adapted from Introduction]

Keywords: Death  Traumatic Incident Reduction  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

3. El Khoury-Malhame, M., Lanteaume, L., Beetz, E. M., Roques, J., Reynaud, E., Samuelian, J. C., Blin, O., Garcia, R., & Khalfa, S. (2011, September). Attentional bias in post-traumatic stress disorder diminishes after symptom amelioration. Behavior Research and Therapy, 49(11), 796-801. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2011.08.006.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Background: Avoidance and hypervigilance to reminders of a traumatic event are among the main characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Attentional bias toward aversive cues in PTSD has been hypothesized as being part of the dysfunction causing etiology and maintenance of PTSD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cognitive strategy underlying attentional bias in PTSD and whether normal cognitive processing is restored after a treatment suppressing core PTSD symptoms. Methods: Nineteen healthy controls were matched for age, sex and education to 19 PTSD patients. We used the emotional stroop and detection of target tasks, before and after an average of 4.1 sessions of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Results: We found that on both tasks, patients were slower than controls in responding in the presence of emotionally negative words compared to neutral ones. After symptoms removal, patients no longer had attentional bias, and responded similarly to controls. Conclusion: These results support the existence of an attentional bias in PTSD patients due to a disengagement difficulty. There was also preliminary evidence that the disengagement was linked to PTSD symptomatology. It should be further explored whether attentional bias and PTSD involve common brain mechanisms.

Keywords: Attentional Bias  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

4. Kuiken, D., Chudleigh, M., & Racher, D. (2010, December). Bilateral eye movements, attentional flexibility and metaphor comprehension: The substrate of REM dreaming?. Dreaming, 20(4), 227-247. doi:10.1037/a0020841.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Explanations for the effects of the rapid eye movements induced during Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 2001) have drawn upon an analogy with the eye movements of REM sleep (Kuiken, Bears, Miall, and Smith, 2002). An extension of that analogy posits two orienting systems, one involving threat-fear related mnemonic contextualization and another involving loss-pain related monitoring of conflicting response alternatives. In a study involving individuals who had recently experienced significant loss or trauma, we found that experimentally induced saccadic eye movements decreased reaction times to unexpected stimuli among those reporting traumatic distress (characterized by hyperarousal and intrusive thoughts) and increased reaction times among those reporting separation distress (characterized by vivid reminiscences and the sense of a foreshortened future). Also, we found that saccadic eye movements increased the perceived strikingness of metaphoric sentence endings among those reporting amnesia for events related to either loss or trauma. The eye movements of both EMDR and REM sleep may differently affect the attentional and cognitive reorienting activity of those living with the consequences of loss or trauma. These differences may be evident in their waking reflections and in their dreams.

Keywords: Attention  Bereavement  Dreams  Eye Movements  Metaphors  REM Sleep  Trauma  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

5. Rossello-Mir, J., Revert-Vidal, X., Obrador, P., & Cardell, E. (2007, June). Brief EMDR protocol versus bilateral stimulation in the treatment of spider phobia. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Paris, France.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
EMDR, that includes bilateral stimulation, causes the desensitization and reprocessing of traumatic memories, thus reducing anxiety, distress, fear, and other symptoms related with several anxiety disorders. Previous results show it is effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, panic disorder, public speaking anxiety, etc. Relying on some previous results we think that a brief EMDR protocol could be applied to relieve symptoms of specific phobias.
To investigate this issue, we study the efficacy of a new brief EMDR protocol in the treatment of spider phobia. Furthermore, our design tries to clarify the controversy about which components of the EMDR procedure are relevant for patient’s improvement. More specifically, we compare the effectiveness of our brief procedures with that of simple bilateral stimulation that is, without eye movements, which necessity to obtain therapeutic outcome has been questioned.
We randomly assign twenty volunteers, female university students with spider phobia to one of three groups. We applied the brief EMDR protocol to the first one and bilateral stimulation to the second one, being the third group the control one. To assess the effectiveness of both treatments, in addition to apply traditional questionnaires, we designed a specific emotional Stroop task in order to make use of this tool to evaluate, before and after each treatment, the selective attentional biases, that seem to play an important role in the etiology and maintenance of anxiety disorders. We discuss the differences found in our results in reference to the controversy aforementioned and how they can help to understand the EMDR mechanism of action.

Keywords: Bilateral Stimulation  BLS  Brief EMDR  Spider Phobia  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

6. Shapiro, R. (1999, June). Clearing cultural and generational trauma with EMDR. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Las Vegas, NV.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Participants will learn: 1) to define and identify cultural and generational trauma; 2) to help clients identify these traumas; 3) a protocol for clearing internalized cultural bias; 4) a protocol for clearing generational bias; and 5) the Two-Handed Differentiation Protocol

Keywords: Cultural Bias  Cultural Trauma  Differentiation Protocol  Generational Bias  Generational Trauma  Two-Handed  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

7. Opdyke, D. C. (1995, May). Clinical efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Georgia State University. AAT 9608510.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has gained notoriety as a brief treatment for PTSD. In EMDR, clients repeatedly bring up traumatic events in memory and visually track stimuli moving back and forth in front of them. Previous group studies of EMDR have had methodological problems, however. The present study attempted to (1) assess EMDR's effectiveness compared to an Eye Focus treatment controlling for eye movement; (2) compare both treatments to a wait-list control; and (3) rate therapist characteristics to check experimenter bias.20 participants suffering from PTSD were randomly assigned to either EMDR or Eye Focus (EF) treatments, and immediate treatment or wait-list conditions. After two 90-minute treatment sessions, outcomes were assessed on subjective measures of anxiety (SUDs) and cognitive beliefs (VOCs). The mean SUDs pre-post differences on matched pairs t-tests indicated significant reduction of disturbance for both the EMDR group, p < .001, and the Eye Focus group, p < .001. VOC ratings showed similar treatment gains. Two-factor analyses assessed changes across groups (2 administrations x 2 treatment groups) on two standardized measures, the Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the Modified PTSD Symptom Scale (MPSS). The IES showed a main effect for treatment F (2, 18) = 16.45, p < .001, while wait-list remained unchanged F (2, 18) = 1.09, p > .05. A significant interaction F (2, 18) = 6.69, p < .05 supported treatment efficacy. EMDR and EF participants improved equally on the IES, i.e., no differences for type of treatment, F (2, 18) = 0.54, p > .05. The MPSS also showed a main effect for treatment, F (2, 18) = 6.46, p < .05, with wait-list unchanged, F (2, 18) = 0.27, p > .05. This interaction was not significant, p =.10. Further, both EMDR and EF groups demonstrated improvement on the MPSS. Results suggest that (1) EMDR and Eye Focus are both effective in reducing some self-reported PTSD symptoms; (2) EMDR and Eye Focus scores improved significantly compared to wait-list; and (3) ratings of experimenter bias suggested that the EMDR and Eye Focus participants were treated equally by the therapist. Future comparison studies should use larger samples, independent assessors, and equally-trained independent therapists. [Author Abstract] Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering. 56(11-B), May 1996, pp. 6402

Keywords: Empirical Study  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  Psychotherapeutic Processes  PTSD  Treatment Effectiveness  Treatment Outcome/Clinical Trial  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

8. Spector, J., & Read, J. (1999, July). The current status of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 6(3), 165-174. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-0879(199907).

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) has increasingly been proposed as an effective therapeutic procedure for post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems. However, views on EMDR in the research literature have been polarized. Reasons for this are explored as is the nature and theoretical basis of EMDR. Fifteen controlled studies thus far published on EMDR and PTSD are reviewed, and it is concluded that (i) EMDR is an effective psychotherapy, (ii) EMDR's relative efficacy in comparison to behavioural exposure therapies has yet to be established, (iii) the role of eye movements and laterality in attentional focus remains controversial and (iv) a direct link between the theoretical basis of the therapy and observable psychological and neurobiological changes has yet to be established. [Wiley]

Keywords: Literature Review  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  Reprocessing Therapy  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

9. Kuiken, D., Miall, D., Bears, M., & Smith L. (1998). Defamiliarization in dreaming and reading: Eye movements and attentional engagement. Presentation at the VIth Biannual IGEL Conference, Utrecht.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
The fictional world imaginatively constituted during literary reading is sometimes compared with the imaginal world created during dreaming. At the core of both reading and dreaming may be the type of attentional adjustment that occurs when departures from expected events emerge in experience. During dreaming, markers of this attentional adjustment – and of the related transformations of dream content – are the eye movements characteristic of REM sleep. Recent research suggests that eye movements induced during wakefulness similarly prompt dreamlike transformations of imaginal activity. Therefore, we hypothesized that, during reading, induced eye movements would facilitate defamiliarization in response to the deviations from literal meanings found in metaphoric expressions. To test this hypothesis, twenty-five undergraduates completed 20 seconds of eye movements or 20 seconds of visual fixation before each of two tasks: (a) a covert visual attention task (Posner & Cohen, 1984), in which a cue indicated the likely position of a subsequent target, and (b) a sentence rating task, in which sentences with either metaphoric or non-metaphoric endings were rated for strikingness. Repeated measures ANOVAs indicated that the eye movement manipulation facilitated attentional adjustments to targets presented in invalidly cued locations and increased the extent to which metaphoric sentence endings were found striking. These results suggest that induced eye movements facilitate attentional reorientation toward the novel meanings found in metaphoric expressions, providing evidence that dreaming and reading involve a similarly “defamiliarizing” attentional adjustment.

Keywords: Dreaming  Reading  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

10. Ehlers, A., Bisson, J., Clark, D. M., Creamer, M., Pilling, S., Richards, D., Schnurr, P. P., Turner, S., & Yule, W. (2010, March). Do all psychological treatments really work the same in posttraumatic stress disorder?. Clinical Psychology Review 30(2), 269–276. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.12.001.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
A recent meta-analysis by Benish, Imel, and Wampold (2008, Clinical Psychology Review, 28, 746-758) concluded that all bona fide treatments are equally effective in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In contrast, seven other meta-analyses or systematic reviews concluded that there is good evidence that trauma-focused psychological treatments (trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) are effective in PTSD; but that treatments that do not focus on the patients' trauma memories or their meanings are either less effective or not yet sufficiently studied. International treatment guidelines therefore recommend trauma-focused psychological treatments as first-line treatments for PTSD. We examine possible reasons for the discrepant conclusions and argue that (1) the selection procedure of the available evidence used in Benish et al.'s (2008)meta-analysis introduces bias, and (2) the analysis and conclusions fail to take into account the need to demonstrate that treatments for PTSD are more effective than natural recovery. Furthermore, significant increases in effect sizes of trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapies over the past two decades contradict the conclusion that content of treatment does not matter. To advance understanding of the optimal treatment for PTSD, we recommend further research into the active mechanisms of therapeutic change, including treatment elements commonly considered to be non-specific. We also recommend transparency in reporting exclusions in meta-analyses and suggest that bona fide treatments should be defined on empirical and theoretical grounds rather than by judgments of the investigators' intent. Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  Treatment  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

11. Uribe, M. E. R., Ramirez, E. O. L., & Mena, I. J. (2010, May). Effect of the EMDR psychotherapeutic approach on emotional cognitive processing in patients with depression. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 13(1), 396-405. doi:10.1017/S1138741600003966.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
The current investigation, framed within the emotional cognitive science field, was conducted with three patients with major depression. They participated in a therapeutic process which involved EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Data were obtained in the clinical practice through a longitudinal one subject study design, including: emotional valence identification within affective priming experiments; and depressive emotional representation studies, the data of which was analyzed using multidimensional scaling. The first ones had the purpose of observing the therapeutic impact over the emotional cognitive bias mechanism regarding depresogenic words related to traumatic experiences; and the second, to analyze modifications on depressive schemata. The results showed that EMDR had a positive effect both on emotional cognitive processing and on long-term memory conceptual organization. In the discussion section, interesting remarks are made on the incorporation of emotional cognitive science tools to the EMDR clinical practice

Keywords: Depression  Emotional Cognitive Processing  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

12. Khalfa, S. (2012, June). Effects of EMDR on cognition, psychophysiology and cerebral mechanisms in PTSD [Efectos del EMDR en cognición, psicofisiología y mecanismos cerebrales en TEPT]. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Madrid, Spain.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Despite the emergence of many theories on biological EMDR mechanisms, research is still needed to understand the healing processes of EMDR. We conducted four experiments to explore the effects of EMDR on PTSD with 17 to 22 patients suffering from one unique trauma. The first experiment evidenced attentional bias in PTSD towards negative words that disappeared after successful EMDR Therapy. The second experiment has shown a less efficient control of emotion in PTSD as compared to healthy controls. This altered emotional suppressing measured through psychophysiological responses was restored after symptoms disappearance following EMDR. The third experiment also using psychophysiological measures confirmed the increased fear sensitization and delayed fear extinction in PTSD and again the restoration of a normal fear conditioning and extinction processes after EMDR. The last experiment explored the negative emotional cerebral mechanisms using functional magnetic resonance imagery in PTSD. Activities in prefrontal structures were modified in PTSD as compared to healthy controls. After the EMDR treatment accompanied by symptoms removal, the prefrontal responses were not different between PTSD patients and their controls. Theoretical issues of these results will be discussed in order to integrate cognitive, psychophysiological and cerebral mechanisms observations.

A pesar del emerger de muchas teorías sobre los mecanismos biológicos del EMDR, la investigación aún necesita entender el proceso de curación que se produce en EMDR. Hemos realizado 4 experimentos para explorar los efectos del EMDR en TEPT de 17 a 22 pacientes que sufrieron un único trauma. El primer experimento evidencia un sesgo atencional del TEPT ante las palabras negativas que desaparecen después de una terapia exitosa de EMDR. El Segundo experimento mostró una baja eficiencia del control de las emociones en los TEPT comparados con el control de individuos sanos. Esta alterada supresión emocional medida a través de respuestas psicofisiológicas fue restaurada después de una desaparición de los síntomas realizando EMDR. El tercer experimento también confirma mediante medidas psicofisiológicas el aumento de la sensación de miedo y un retraso en la extinción del mismo en el TEPT. De nuevo tras administrar una terapia EMDR se produjo una restauración a una condición normal de miedo y un proceso de extinción. El último experimento explica los mecanismos negativos emocionales cerebrales usando resonancia funcional magnética en TEPT. La actividad en las estructuras prefrontales fue modificada en el TEPT comparado con el control. Después del tratamiento de EMDR acompañado de una remisión de los síntomas, las respuestas prefrontales no fueron diferentes entre los pacientes con TEPT y los controles. Cuestiones teoréticas sobre estos resultados serán discutidas con el fin de integrar cognitivamente, psicofisiológicamente y observar los mecanismos cerebrales del EMDR.

Keywords: Cognition, Psychophysiology and Cerebral Mechanisms  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

13. Uribe, M. E. R., & Ramirez, E. O. L. (2006, Diciembre). El efecto de la terapia EMDR en el tratamiento de la información negativa en los pacientes que sufren depresión [The effect of EMDR therapy on the negative information processing on patients who suffer depression]. Revista Electrónica de Motivación y Emoción (REME), 9(23-24).

Language: English

Format: Magazine

Abstract:
Una investigación de las ciencias cognitivas sobre la depresión se presenta. En concreto, los pacientes con depresión mayor fueron obligados a participar en un proceso terapéutico que involucró la metodología EMDR (Eye Movement desensibilización y reprocesamiento) y los experimentos de facilitación afectiva, lo que demuestra el impacto terapéutico sobre el procesamiento emocional cognitiva acerca de la información pertinente negativo de eventos traumáticos. Los resultados mostraron un cambio significativo y también que hubo participantes que implementaron un filtro cognitivo para eliminar las palabras negativas autobiográficas. Además, se implementó un sesgo para facilitar el reconocimiento de los positivos, así como los estímulos negativos. En la sección de debate, las coincidencias entre las evaluaciones conscientes e inconscientes se analizan sobre la superación de la depresión en esta terapia.

A cognitive science research on depression is presented. Specifically, patients with mayor depression were required to participate in a therapeutic process which involved the EMDR methodology (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and affective priming experiments, which showed the therapeutic impact over the emotional cognitive processing about relevant negative information of traumatic events. Results showed a significant change and also that there were participants who implemented a cognitive filter to eliminate the autobiographic negative words. Further, it was implemented a bias to facilitate the recognition of positive as well as negative stimuli. In the section of discussion, coincidences between conscious and unconscious evaluations are analyzed about overcoming of depression under this therapy.

Keywords: Depression  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

14. Uribe, M. E. R., & Ramírez, E. O. L. (2006, Diciembre). El uso del escalamiento multidimensional en el análisis del procesamiento adaptativo de la información mediante la psicoterapia EMDR, en personas con depresión [The use of multidimensional scaling in the adaptative processing information analysis through EMDR on subjects with depression]. Revista Electrónica de Motivación y Emoción (REME), 9(23-24). Retrieved from http://reme.uji.es/articulos/numero23/article4/article4.pdf on 4/5/2008.

Language: Spanish

Format: Journal

Abstract:
La presente investigación enmarcada en el campo de la ciencia cognitiva de la emoción, se llevó a cabo en la práctica clínica mediante estudios de caso longitudinales con dos pacientes diagnosticadas con depresión mayor. Ellas participaron en un proceso terapéutico que involucró la aproximación EMDR (por sus siglas en inglés -Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing-) y en tres estudios de representación emocional depresogénica, cuyos datos se analizaron mediante la técnica de escalamiento multidimensional. Las gráficas obtenidas permitieron observar el impacto de la terapia en la organización en memoria a largo plazo de la información relacionada con sus experiencias traumáticas. Los resultados muestran que se confirmó la hipótesis y que sí se afectaron los niveles representacionales de la información emocional. En la sección de la discusión se hacen señalamientos interesantes sobre la integración de las herramientas de la ciencia cognitiva de la emoción a la práctica clínica.

A cognitive science research on depression is presented. Specifically, patients with mayor depression were required to participate in a therapeutic process which involved the EMDR methodology (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and affective priming experiments, which showed the therapeutic impact over the emotional cognitive processing about relevant negative information of traumatic events. Results showed a significant change and also that there were participants who implemented a cognitive filter to eliminate the autobiographic negative words. Further, it was implemented a bias to facilitate the recognition of positive as well as negative stimuli. In the section of discussion, coincidences between conscious and unconscious evaluations are analyzed about overcoming of depression under this therapy.

Keywords: Cognition  Depression  Emotion  Multidimensional Scaling  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

15. van den Hout, M. A., Engelhard, I. M., Beetsma, D., Slofstra, C., Hornsveld, H., Houtveen, J., & Leer, A. (2011, December). EMDR and mindfulness. Eye movements and attentional breathing tax working memory and reduce vividness and emotionality of aversive ideation. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 42(4), 423-431, doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2011.03.004.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Methods. Working memory taxation by EM and AB was assessed in healthy volunteers by slowing down of reaction times. In a later session, participants retrieved negative memories during recall only, recall + EM and recall + AB (study 1). Under improved conditions the study was replicated (study 2). Results. In both studies and to the same degree, attentional breathing and eye movements taxed working memory. Both interventions reduced emotionality of memory in study 1 but not in study 2 and reduced vividness in study 2 but not in study 1. Limitations. EMDR is more than EM and MBCT is more than AB. Memory effects were assessed by self reports. Conclusions. EMDR and MBCT may (partly) derive their beneficial effects from taxing working memory during recall of negative ideation

Keywords: Attentional Breathing  Mindfulness  Working Memory  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

16. Ribchester, T., Yule, W., & Duncan, A. (2010). EMDR for childhood PTSD after road traffic accidents: Attentional, memory, and attributional processes. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 4(4), 138-147. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.4.4.138.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) was used with 11 children who developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after road traffi c accidents. All improved such that none met criteria for PTSD on standardized assessments after an average of only 2.4 sessions. Signifi cant improvements in PTSD, anxiety, and depression were found both immediately after treatment and at follow-up. Attentional, memory, and attributional processes associated with PTSD were assessed and their relationship to therapeutic change examined. Treatment was associated with a signifi cant trauma-specifi c reduction in attentional bias on the modifi ed Stroop task, with results apparent both immediately after therapy and at follow-up.

Keywords: Attention  Attribution  Child  Memory  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

17. Carlson, J. G., Chemtob, C. M., Rusnak, K., Hedlund, N. L., & Muroaka, M. Y. (1995, June). EMDR in combat-related PTSD: A controlled study. Presentation at the EMDR Network Conference, Santa Monica, CA.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
In view of potential, but largely undocumented benefits of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as an intervention for PTSD in combat veterans, in our laboratory a study of EMDR treatment included (1) randomized patient assignment, (2) clinically appropriate comparison (treatment and control) groups, (3) a 12-session EMDR protocol administered by experienced, EMDR trained clinicians, and (4) extensive clinical assessment, including physiological evaluation at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Thirty-five veterans who met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD completed an extensive multimodal assessment protocol. Assessment instruments included: The Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD, the Impact of Events Scale (IES), the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), a self-rating of overall severity of "PTSD symptoms," the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventories (STAI). In addition, each subject completed a Stressful Scene Construction Questionnaire (SSCQ) in which scripts of specific traumatic combat incidents were prepared for presentation during psychophysiological assessment. Following pre-assessment, a subset of the subjects constituted a waiting list control (CON, N = 12). Routine clinical care for these subjects was available at the VA Medical Center. Seven of these subjects also participated in group sessions for discussion of PTSD designed as an attentional control. There were no differences between the two control subgroups and their data was combined for all subsequent analyses. For the treatment groups, subjects assigned to the EMDR (EMD, N = 10) and relaxation (RXT, N = 13) groups were seated in a semi-reclined chair and continuous measures were taken of muscle tension levels (four sites), hand temperature, skin conductance levels, heart rate, and blood pressure. For all subjects, there were 20 minutes in each of the baseline sessions with no additional stimuli presented. At the end of session 2 of baseline, the patients remained in the experimental room and were assessed for an additional 20 minutes (pre-treatment) during which the SSCQ scripts also were presented. There were two sessions per week with a minimum of one day between sessions. Each subsequent treatment session for the EMD and RXT subjects was approximately 60 minutes in duration, allowing for set-up time and briefing. In the EMD group, a standard protocol for the EMDR interventions was administered, including periodic SUDS ratings and VoC scaling of combat and related images and cognitions (cf Shapiro, 1995). In the RXT group, home relaxation tapes and biofeedback on four sites (face, neck, arm, and back) to assist lowered muscle tension were provided. Following 12 treatment sessions (post-treatment), and again after three months (follow-up) the psychometric instruments and psychophysiological assessment were readministered using the format outlined above. Relative to the other conditions, the EMDR treatment produced substantially more positive clinical effects at post-treatment and follow-up. Comparing the EMD group to the CON group, significant effects (p<.05 or better) were obtained on measures of PTSD including the Mississippi and PTSD symptoms self-rating, and on the Beck and STAI-Trait. Comparing the EMD group to the RXT subjects, significant differences were found on the Mississippi, the IES-Intrusion scale, the CAPS, PTSD symptoms ratings, and the STAI-Trait scale. No differences were obtained on any of the physiological measures. Therefore, the present results support the effectiveness of EMDR with combat veterans with chronic PTSD. The data strongly suggest that some previous negative results obtained when EMDR was applied to chronic and severe combat PTSD may have resulted from methodological artifacts, such as inadequate amount of treatment and therapist inexperience. While the failure to find physiological effects is consistent with results of other controlled treatment exposure trials in PTSD, this finding raises clinical and conceptual questions with respect to the arousal component of the disorder.

Keywords: Combat  Controlled Study  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

18. Cvetek, R. (2008). EMDR treatment of distressful experiences that fail to meet the critieria for PTSD. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(1), 2-14. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.2.1.2.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is thought to successfully treat not only PTSD but also other psychiatric disorders and mental health problems inasmuch as these have experiential contributions. This randomized clinical trial investigated the effects of treatment of distressful experiences (or small "t" trauma) that fail to meet the criteria for PTSD. Three hours of a slightly adapted form of EMDR were compared to active listening (attentional placebo, also 3 hours) and wait list. Results with 90 participants showed that EMDR produced significantly lower scores on the Impact of Event Scale than active listening or wait list. EMDR also resulted in a significantly smaller increase on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (State subscale) after memory recall. Some limitations and implications of findings are discussed. [Author Abstract]

Keywords: Dysfunctionally Stored Stressful Experiences  Effectiveness  Life Experiences  Random Clinical Trial  RCT  Slovenes  Small “T” Trauma  Survivors  Treatment Effectiveness  Young Adults  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

19. Rosa-Uribe, M. E., & Ramírez, E. O. L. (2011). Evaluación de la naturaleza cognitiva dual de la depresión bajo la psicoterapia EMDR [Assessment of cognitive dual nature of EMDR psychotherapy on depression]. Revista Iberoamericana de Psicotraumatología y Disociación, 1(1), [29 pages].

Language: Spanish

Format: Other

Abstract:
La presente investigación se llevó a cabo con personas que fueron diagnosticadas con depresión mayor y que participaron en un proceso terapéutico EMDR (por sus siglas en inglés -Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing-). La recolección de datos se realizó en la práctica clínica mediante el diseño de estudios de caso longitudinales, dentro de los cuales se consideraron a la vez dos tipos de estudios cognitivos, organizados en tres fases (inicial, intermedia y final). Los estudios cuasiexperimentales, de identificación de valencia emocional bajo el paradigma de facilitación afectiva, se realizaron para observar los cambios en el mecanismo de sesgo cognitivo emocional sobre las palabras depresogénicas. Por su parte los estudios descriptivos, de análisis de representación emocional depresogénica bajo la técnica de escalamiento multidimensional y de escalamiento PathFinder, se utilizaron para determinar la forma en la que el esquema disfuncional era modificado. Los resultados muestran que EMDR impactó tanto el procesamiento cognitivo de la información emocional, como la organización conceptual en memoria a largo plazo. En la sección de la discusión se hacen señalamientos interesantes sobre la integración de las herramientas de la ciencia cognitiva de la emoción a la práctica del EMDR para la evaluación cognitiva dual (implícita/explícita) de la recuperación de la depresión.

This research was conducted with people who were diagnosed with major depression who participated in a therapeutic process EMDR (for short English-Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing-). Data collection is performed in clinical practice by designing longitudinal case studies, within which were considered simultaneously two types of cognitive studies, organized in three phases (initial, intermediate and final). Quasi studies, the identification of emotional valence in the affective priming paradigm were conducted to observe the changes in the mechanism of emotional cognitive bias on the words depressogenic. For their part, descriptive studies, analysis of emotional representation depresogénica under the multidimensional scaling technique and scaling PathFinder, were used to determine the manner in which the pattern was dysfunctional modified. The results show that both EMDR impacted cognitive processing emotional information, such as conceptual organization in long term memory. in the discussion section of the interesting remarks are made on the integration of tools of cognitive science of emotion to the practice of EMDR for the evaluation cognitive dual (implicit / explicit) of recovery of depression.

Keywords: Affective Priming  Cognition  Depression, Depressive Patterns  Emotion  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

20. Leskowitz, E. (2002). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and subtle energy:  A proposed mechanism of action. In F. P. Gallo (Ed.), Energy psychology in psychotherapy: A comprehensive sourcebook. (1st ed.) (pp. 311-321) New York:  W. W. Norton.

Language: English

Format: Book Section

Abstract:
Let me now suggest that the mechanism of action of EMDR is best understood by going back not 3 decades in time, but 3 millennia, to the Eastern philosophies that were based on the notion of life energy. It is in the study of yoga and acupuncture, and of prana and qi, that a full understanding of the mechanism of EMDR is to be found.I will first give a brief overview of the notion of subtle energy, and then summarize modern discoveries in biomagnetism and distant intentionality that will set the age for a discussion about the subtle energetics of paying attention. I then hope to demonstrate that visual attentional activation via EMDR is, in effect, a biomagnetic or subtle energy interaction that is particularly effective in facilitating the release of trauma that is stored in the subtle energy systems of the human body. [Text, pp. 311-312]

Keywords: Energy Psychotherapy  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  Stressors  Subtle Energy  Survivors  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

21. EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) (2012, October 7). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing international association response to the Institute of Medicine report on “Treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in military and veteran populations: Initial assessment”. EMDRIA. Retrieved from http://www.emdria.org/associations/12049/files/EMDRIA%20IOM%20Response.pdf on 10/19/2012.

Language: English

Format: Other

Abstract:
In response to the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) July 2012, publication, Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Military and Veteran Populations: Initial Assessment, the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA) applauds the IOM for its leadership role in calling for the use of evidence-based methods for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and for advocating stepped-up research on therapies for war stress injuries, with an appropriate recognition of the urgency required.
We do, however, see errors and omissions in the portrayal of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in the IOM reports; we believe that the misrepresentation of EMDR in the 2008 document unfortunately has been perpetuated in the 2012 Initial Assessment. We are concerned that these misunderstandings will be incorporated as Phase 2 of this study proceeds; thus we are providing you with information with the hope that these inaccuracies can be addressed and corrected. This would positively impact further research on the treatment of PTSD. In the following, we have identified several specific statements in the IOM report that misquote or misrepresent the original EMDR research papers. The inaccuracy of the quotes are serious enough to bias the conclusions of the IOM report and call into question the validity of the document.
In addition, we want to highlight the fact that the original IOM report on PTSD called for randomized clinical trials (RCT) to further evaluate EMDR (IOM, 2008), but this recommendation has not been implemented. It is our hope that our response will encourage the IOM to address this lack of follow through and advocate for randomized clinical trials to test the efficacy of all the evidence-based therapies.

Keywords: Institute of Medicine Report  IOM Report  Military  Posttraumatic Stress  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

22. Kuiken, D., Bears, M., Miall, D., & Smith, L. (2001/2002). Eye movement desensitization reprocessing facilitates attentional orienting. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 21(1), 3-20. doi:10.2190/L8JX-PGLC-B72R-KD7X .

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is a controversial treatment for PTSD that requires clients to make rapid eye movements while revisualizing a traumatic event. Although seemingly effective, the process by which EMDR exerts its effects is poorly understod. We propose that EMDR's eye movements facilitate the orienting response, i.e., the attentional adjustment to unexpected stimuli. Since the orienting response has been implicated in spontaneous transformations of dream content during REM sleep, we reasoned that, similarly, activation of the orienting response during EMDR may facilitate content transformations in traumatic memories. To examine this hypothesis, 25 undergraduates completed 20 seconds of eye movements or 20 seconds of visual fixation before each of two tasks: (1) a covert visual attention task, in which a cue indicated the likely position of a subsequent target, and (2) a sentence rating task, in which sentences with either metaphoric or non-metaphoric endings were rated for strikingness. Repeated measures ANOVAs indicated that the eye movement manipulation facilitated attentional adjustments to targets presented in invalidly cued locations and increased the extent to which metaphoric sentence endings were found striking. Together these results suggest that the eye movements in EMDR induce attentional and semantic flexibility, thereby facilitating transformations in the client's narrative representation of the traumatic event. The implications of these findings for theories of dream formation and metaphor comprehension are also considered. [Author Abstract]

Keywords: Adults  College Students  Empirical Study  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  Stressors  Survivors  Treatment Effectiveness  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

23. Barrowcliff, A., Gray, N., MacCulloch, S., Freeman, T., & MacCulloch, M. (2003, September). Horizontal rhythmical eye movements consistently diminish the arousal provoked by auditory stimuli. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 42(3). 289-302. doi:10.1348/01446650360703393.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Objectives: Theoretical models implicating the orienting reflex as an explanatory mechanism in the eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment protocol are contrasted and tested empirically. We also test whether EMDR effects are due to a distraction effect. Design: A repeated measure design is used in two experiments. The first experiment employed two independent variables, eye condition (moving vs. stationary) and tone (a pseudo-randomized series of low and high intensity tones). In Expt 2, eye condition was replaced by attentional demand conditions (low or high). In both cases, electrodermal responses served as the dependent variable. Method: Participants were recruited from the Psychology Department at Cardiff University. In Expt 1, participants were required to either pursue a moving stimulus following auditory challenge or engage in an eyes-stationary task. In Expt 2, the task following auditory challenge required participants to identify specific items from letter strings in low and high attentional demand conditions. Results: Lower levels of electrodermal arousal were identified in tasks eliciting eye movements, compared to no eye movements. This effect was not due to the attentional requirements of the task. Conclusions: Eye movements following auditory challenge result in an effect of psychophysiological de-arousal. This supports the reassurance reflex model of EMDR proposed by MacCulloch and Feldman (1996).

Keywords: Distraction Effect  Empirical Study  Orienting Reflex  Quantitative Study  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

24. Munder, T., Fluckiger, C., Gerger, H., Wampold, B. E., & Barth, J. (2012, October). Is the allegiance effect an epiphenomenon of true efficacy differences between treatments? A meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 59(4), 631-637. doi:10.1037/a0029571.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Many meta-analyses of comparative outcome studies found a substantial association of researcher allegiance (RA) and relative treatment effects. Therefore, RA is regarded as a biasing factor in comparative outcome research (RA bias hypothesis). However, the RA bias hypothesis has been criticized as causality might be reversed. That is, RA might be a reflection of true efficacy differences between treatments (true efficacy hypothesis). Consequently, the RA-outcome association would not be indicative of bias but an epiphenomenon of true efficacy differences. This meta-analysis tested the validity of the true efficacy hypothesis. This was done by controlling the RA-outcome association for true efficacy differences by restricting analysis to direct comparisons of treatments with equivalent efficacy. We included direct comparisons of different versions of trauma-focused therapy (TFT) in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). RA was measured from the research reports. Relative effect sizes for symptoms of PTSD were calculated. Random effects meta-regression was conducted. Twenty-nine comparisons of TFTs from 20 studies were identified. Initial heterogeneity among relative effect sizes was low. RA was a significant predictor of outcome and explained 12% of the variance in outcomes. The true efficacy hypothesis predicted the RA-outcome association to be zero; however, a substantial association was found. Thus, this study does not support the true efficacy hypothesis. Given findings from psychotherapy research and other fields that support a biasing influence of researcher preferences, RA should be regarded as a causal factor and conceptualized as a threat to the validity of conclusions from comparative outcome studies.

Keywords: Comparative Outcome Research  Meta-Analyses  Researcher Allegiance  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

25. Russell, M. (2008, September). Meeting military mental health needs in the 21st century and beyond: A critical analysis of the effects of dualism, disparity and scientific bias. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Phoenix, AZ.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Since 2001, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have caused considerable strain on military medicine to effectively manage the large and growing mental health demand from deployed personnel. Current trends, initiatives and on-going barriers in meeting war-related mental health needs for this and future war generations as reported by military officials, including the 2007 Department of Defense’s (DoD) Task Force on Mental Health, is reviewed including training of providers, access to high quality mental health assessment and treatments and research innovations. Lastly, a model for a 21st century modern military mental health care system is proposed within the context of historical and present-day analysis of the cyclical impact of dualistic approaches toward mental and physical health and consequent effects of mental health stigma and disparity. Authors’ note: The findings and opinions expressed are the authors’ alone and are not intended to represent the views of the Department of the Navy, the Department of Defense, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Keywords: Military  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

26. Corrigan, F. (2002). Mindfullness, dissociation, EMDR and the anterior cingulate cortex:  A hypothesis. Contemporary Hypnosis, 19(1), 8-17. doi:10.1002/ch.235.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Hypotheses on the neurobiology of a mindfulness-dissociation continuum are presented. Crucial to the hypotheses are the observations of a reciprocal interaction between the cognitive and affective subdivisions of the anterior cingulate cortex and the unilateral activation of right anterior cingulate in hypnotic dissociation and in post-traumatic syndromes. It is proposed that the unilateral activation can cause a loss of the reciprocal relationship between the subdivisions and that in the case of peri-traumatic dissociation the subsequent syndrome responds to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) through restoration of the bilateral activation and reinstatement of the reciprocal relationship between the subdivisions. Bilateral activation of the cognitive subdivisions is proposed to underlie the attentional state of concentration mindfulness in which affect is well regulated. Copyright © 2002 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis

Keywords: Anterior Cingulate Cortex  Bilateral Activation  Dissociation  Emotional Trauma  Gyrus Cinguli  Hypnosis  Hypnotic Dissociation  Mindfulness  Posttraumatic Syndromes  Reciprocal Interaction  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

27. Barbery, S. (2007, Juin). Pourquoi l'EMDR doit changer de nom [Why EMDR must change its name]. Présentation à la réunion annuelle de l'Association EMDR Europe, Paris, France.

Language: French

Format: Conference

Abstract:
"Depuis ce temps, les thérapeutes EMDR ont découvert que les différents types de stimulation double attention, comme les robinets à main et les tons sont susceptibles d'avoir les mêmes effets. En face, il ya une bonne possibilité que le dénominateur commun est le principal élément d'attention plutôt que le mouvement des muscles en particulier. Par conséquent, la désensibilisation des mouvements oculaires nom et le traitement est regrettable à bien des égards. Le mouvement des yeux terme est trop restrictive, et la même chose peut être dit pour la désensibilisation terme "(Francine Shapiro, 2002, EMDR comme une psychothérapie intégrative approche, APA, p. 28).
Je vais commencer par cette citation de poser la question cruciale: quel est vraiment le «plus petit dénominateur commun primaires" de l'EMDR?
Certainement pas les yeux car on utiliser plusieurs types de double attention! Et pourtant, la quasi-totalité de la communication externe sur l'EMDR accent uniquement sur les mouvements oculaires.
Il est la stimulation de rechange? La question reste ouverte, mais des preuves solides d'infirmer cette hypothèse.
Si la spécificité de l'EMDR ne réside ni dans les yeux, ni dans la stimulation de remplacement, at-il seulement existé? Je vais défendre mon intervention à l'idée que cette spécificité existe et repose sur la ruse de l'Assemblée des charges et des procédures d'autres techniques.
De ce point de vue, pourquoi continuer, autrement que pour des raisons marketing ou tribale, d'appeler EMDR une technique qui n'a rien à voir avec les mots censés qu'il symbolise, pour le représenter? N'est-ce pas induire en erreur et révélatrice d'une position de faiblesse pour continuer à appeler "smurf" quelque chose dont on sait qu'elle n'a rien à voir avec "Schtroumpf?" Ne l'exigence éthique de probité et de la science implique de renommer le protocole ? Le public aurait tort de là, bien au contraire. Si le nom ne doit pas être changé, l'EMDR peut avoir le même avenir que le magnétisme dans le 19ème siècle et peut être relégué dans le secteur de la parapsychologie. Il serait vraiment triste.

“Since that time, EMDR therapists have discovered that various types of dual attention stimulation, such as hand taps and tones are capable of having the same effects. In face, there is a good possibility that the primary common denominator is the attentional element rather than the particular muscle movement. Therefore, the name eye movement desensitization and processing is unfortunate in many ways. The term eye movement is unduly limiting, and the same can be said for the term desensitization” (Francine Shapiro, 2002, EMDR as an Integrative Psychotherapy Approach, APA, p. 28).
I will start from this quotation to ask the crucial question: What is really the “primary common denominator” of EMDR?
Certainly not the eyes since one use several types of dual attention! And yet almost all the external communication on the EMDR emphasis only on the eye movements.
It is alternate stimulation? The question remains open but strong evidence invalidate this assumption.
If the specificity of the EMDR lies neither in the eyes nor in alternate stimulation, does it only exist? I will defend in my intervention the idea that this specificity exists and rests on the cunning assembly of loads and procedures from other techniques.
From this point of view, why continue, otherwise than for marketing or tribal reasons, to call EMDR a technique which has nothing to do with the words supposed to symbolize it, to represent it? Isn’t this misleading and revealing a position of weakness to continue to call “smurf” something which one knows that it does not have anything to do with “smurf?” Doesn’t the ethical requirement of probity and science imply to rename the protocol? The public would be mistaken there, quite to the contrary. If the name is not to be changed, EMDR may have the same future as magnetism in the 19th century and may be relegated to the sector of the parapsychology. It would really be sad.

Keywords: Strategy  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

28. Rubin, A. (1999, November). Presidential editorial: Controlling for potential biases in research on social work practice effectiveness: Are higher standards needed?. Research on Social Work Practice, 9(6), 635-639. doi:10.1177/104973159900900601.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
The article offers views on the processes and standards used by professional journals with respect to the review of manuscripts that report evaluations of practice effectiveness. The article discusses rejecting a study that randomly assigned clients to a treatment group and wait-list control group. The article discusses biases in research on social work practice effectiveness. Although the obvious bias in these studies regarding expectation for improvement or experimental demand was roundly criticized in subsequent reviews, it didn't keep them from being published. Given the difficulties researchers face in finding agencies that will permit rigorous experimental outcome studies, it is easy to recommend publishing a study that is strong in virtually every way but one-even if that one weakness is so severe that it virtually destroys the credibility of the study's findings. The author believes in studies using randomized assignment to experimental and control groups, where readers are so impressed by the randomized experimental design that they cut the author some slack regarding possible measurement bias or the potentially biasing effects of expectation for improvement or experimental demand.[EbscoHost]

Keywords: Editorial  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

29. Gillies, D., Taylor, F., Gray, C., O’Brien, L., & D’Abrew, N. (2012). Psychological therapies for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in children and adolescents (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Online), 12, CD006726. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006726.pub2.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly prevalent in children and adolescents who have experienced trauma and has high personal and health costs. Although a wide range of psychological therapies have been used in the treatment of PTSD there are no systematic reviews of these therapies in children and adolescents. Objectives: To examine the effectiveness of psychological therapies in treating children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with PTSD. Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Review Group’s Specialised Register (CCDANCTR) to December 2011. The CCDANCTR includes relevant randomised controlled trials fromthe following bibliographic databases: CENTRAL (the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) (all years), EMBASE (1974 -), MEDLINE (1950 -) and PsycINFO (1967 -). We also checked reference lists of relevant studies and reviews. We applied no date or language restrictions. Selection criteria: All randomised controlled trials of psychological therapies compared to a control, pharmacological therapy or other treatments in children or adolescents exposed to a traumatic event or diagnosed with PTSD. Data collection and analysis: Two members of the review group independently extracted data. If differences were identified, they were resolved by consensus, or referral to the review team. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) for binary outcomes, the standardised mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for both, using a fixed-effect model. If heterogeneity was found we used a random-effects model. Main results Fourteen studies including 758 participants were included in this review. The types of trauma participants had been exposed to included sexual abuse, civil violence, natural disaster, domestic violence and motor vehicle accidents. Most participants were clients of a traumarelated support service. The psychological therapies used in these studies were cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), exposure-based, psychodynamic, narrative, supportive counselling, and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). Most compared a psychological therapy to a control group. No study compared psychological therapies to pharmacological therapies alone or as an adjunct to a psychological therapy. Across all psychological therapies, improvement was significantly better (three studies, n = 80, OR 4.21, 95% CI 1.12 to 15.85) and symptoms of PTSD (seven studies, n = 271, SMD -0.90, 95% CI -1.24 to -0.42), anxiety (three studies, n = 91, SMD -0.57, 95% CI -1.00 to -0.13) and depression (five studies, n = 156, SMD -0.74, 95% CI -1.11 to -0.36) were significantly lower within a month of completing psychological therapy compared to a control group. The psychological therapy for which there was the best evidence of effectiveness was CBT. Improvement was significantly better for up to a year following treatment (up to one month: two studies, n = 49, OR 8.64, 95% CI 2.01 to 37.14; up to one year: one study, n = 25, OR 8.00, 95% CI 1.21 to 52.69). PTSD symptom scores were also significantly lower for up to one year (up to one month: three studies, n = 98, SMD -1.34, 95% CI -1.79 to -0.89; up to one year: one study, n = 36, SMD -0.73, 95% CI -1.44 to -0.01), and depression scores were lower for up to a month (three studies, n = 98, SMD -0.80, 95% CI -1.47 to -0.13) in the CBT group compared to a control. No adverse effects were identified. No study was rated as a high risk for selection or detection bias but a minority were rated as a high risk for attrition, reporting and other bias. Most included studies were rated as an unclear risk for selection, detection and attrition bias. Authors’ conclusions: There is evidence for the effectiveness of psychological therapies, particularly CBT, for treating PTSD in children and adolescents for up to a month following treatment. At this stage, there is no clear evidence for the effectiveness of one psychological therapy compared to others. There is also not enough evidence to conclude that children and adolescents with particular types of trauma are more or less likely to respond to psychological therapies than others. The findings of this review are limited by the potential for methodological biases, and the small number and generally small size of identified studies. In addition, there was evidence of substantial heterogeneity in some analyses which could not be explained by subgroup or sensitivity analyses. More evidence is required for the effectiveness of all psychological therapiesmore than one month after treatment.Much more evidence is needed to demonstrate the relative effectiveness of different psychological therapies or the effectiveness of psychological therapies compared to other treatments. More details are required in future trials in regards to the types of trauma that preceded the diagnosis of PTSD and whether the traumas are single event or ongoing. Future studies should also aim to identify the most valid and reliable measures of PTSD symptoms and ensure that all scores, total and sub-scores, are consistently reported.

Keywords: Adolescents  Children  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  Review  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

30. Sanchez-Meca, J., Rosa-Alcazar, A. I., Marín-Martínez, F., & Gomez-Conesa, A. (2010). Psychological treatment of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(1), 37–50. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.08.011.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Although the efficacy of psychological treatment for panic disorder (PD) with or without agoraphobia has been the subject of a great deal of research, the specific contribution of techniques such as exposure, cognitive therapy, relaxation training and breathing retraining has not yet been clearly established. This paper presents a meta-analysis applying random- and mixed-effects models to a total of 65 comparisons between a treated and a control group, obtained from 42 studies published between 1980 and 2006. The results showed that, after controlling for the methodological quality of the studies and the type of control group, the combination of exposure, relaxation training, and breathing retraining gives the most consistent evidence for treating PD. Other factors that improve the effectiveness of treatments are the inclusion of homework during the intervention and a follow-up program after it has finished. Furthermore, the treatment is more effective when the patients have no comorbid disorders and the shorter the time they have been suffering from the illness. Publication bias and several methodological factors were discarded as a threat against the validity of our results. Finally the implications of the results for clinical practice and for future research are discussed.

Keywords: Panic Disorder  Agoraphobia  Psychological Treatment  Outcome Evaluation  Meta-Analysis  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

31. McFarlane, A. (2010, June). PTSD as an information processing disorder. Keynote presented at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Hamburg, Germany.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Posttraumatic stress disorder is a challenging condition, as people become captured by their past experiences and have difficulty engaging with the present. At the core of this condition is the role of traumatic memories, which orientate the individual's awareness and reactivity to reminders of the instigating traumatic event. The role of traumatic events has not been fully understood and grappled with in the full range of psychopathological conditions. This has important implications for the application of EMDR as a treatment for disorders above and beyond posttraumatic stress disorder.
However, the problems with information processing in PTSD go above and beyond the fear circuitry and reactivity to traumatic memories. Individuals with PTSD also have major difficulties with their self-orientation, which is reflected in deficits in default networks, the idling systems of the brain. These changes are indicative of problems in self-registration and free-floating reflection. Dissociative symptoms may relate to these abnormalities of individuals resting states as they reflect a sense of disconnection and integration of internal states into consciousness.
Secondly, posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with major problems in dealing with neutral environmental information. This is reflected in the symptoms of difficulty with concentration and emotional numbing. The underlying neurobiology of the working memory abnormalities in posttraumatic stress disorder will be highlighted. These studies show that, in PTSD, relatively simple attentional tasks recruit neural networks normally reserved for more demanding and higher order tasks. When confronted with more demanding challenges, individuals with PTSD do not have any further capacity to allocate to processing complex environments.
Individuals with PTSD also demonstrate a problem with switching their attentional focus from an idling to active state. The data suggests that they continue to use visio-spatial networks more than language-based systems for dealing with verbal tasks. This observation is in keeping with a broad body of literature, which suggests that there are problems with the processing of verbal memory tasks in PTSD. EMDR, as a treatment, may have an advantage, as it is not so dependent on verbal representations of traumatic experiences as other treatment approaches.
Finally, an important development in the field is a better understanding of the patterns of abnormal cortical arousal that accompany the peripheral arousal abnormalities in PTSD. Quantitative EEG has given insights into the instability of the cortical neural networks. Neurotherapy represents a treatment that can further assist clinicians in the management of these patients. It is important to consider the underlying psychosomatic aspects of posttraumatic stress disorder and ensure that treatment addresses these components as well the traumatic memories. Treatment should be thought of as a staged process where the processing of traumatic memories is only one component of a disorder that impacts on a range of information processing domains.

Keywords: Information Processing  Keynote  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

32. Tal, K. (2013, February 26). PTSD: The futile search for the “Quick Fix”. Scientific American. Retrieved from http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2013/02/26/ptsd-the-futile-search-for-the-quick-fix/ on 2/26/2013.

Language: English

Format: Magazine

Abstract:
A few weeks ago an article in the Scientific American Twitter stream caught my eye. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) once again debuted as a “promising new treatment” for PTSD. EMDR, which has been repeatedly called “promising” over the last two decades, works only about as well for PTSD as other psychological treatment modalities with which it competes, primarily cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy. These so-called trauma focused treatments (TFT) all garner similar results. TFT have large effects in clinical trials, with two important caveats: 1) the enthusiasm of their various advocates bias the study results towards the treatment the researchers prefer; and, 2) they are effective for a significant number of carefully selected PTSD patients. The sad truth, however, is that current short-term treatments are not the solution for most patients with PTSD. Trial criteria often exclude those with comorbid disorders, multiple traumas, complex PTSD, and suicidal ideation, among others. Even when they are included, comorbid patients drop out of treatment studies at a much higher rate than those with simple PTSD, a problem that has implications for clinical practice. [Excerpt]

Keywords: Blog  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

33. Hurley, E. C. (2010, November). A response to the meta-analysis by Albright & Thyer: What best serves our troops?. Behavioral Interventions, 25(4), 349-353. doi:10.1002/bin.314.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Comments on Does EMDR reduce post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology in combat veterans? by David L. Albright and Bruce Thyer (see record 2010-02408-001). As an Army Chaplain and psychotherapist for 30 years, I have used a variety of psychotherapy modalities to treat soldiers and military families in various combat zones, as well as military installations in the United States. In this capacity I have found eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to be efficacious in the treatment of both trauma and life adjustment issues. In my present position as Director of Soldier Center, Clarksville, TN, I use EMDR on a daily basis to treat soldiers and veterans recovering from combat trauma. Based on my extensive experience in the successful application of EMDR, I am dismayed by the pre-suppositional bias against and potentially serious misrepresentations of EMDR that are evident in the Albright and Thyer article from the authors' very first mention of it. The authors have done a great disservice to clinicians, as well as to veterans, with their paper. In summary, the best way to serve our troops is to urge comparative research between EMDR and the extant cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatments. Our men and women in uniform deserve the best treatment possible. EMDR has amply demonstrated its efficacy with multiple trauma populations and should not be minimized because of subjective biases and misinformation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords: Albright  Letter  Thyer  Troops  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

34. Lilienfeld, S. O., & Landfield, K. (2008, October). Science and pseudoscience in law enforcement: A user-friendly primer. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 35(10), 1215-1230. doi:10.1177/0093854808321526.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Pseudoscience and questionable science are largely neglected problems in police and other law enforcement work. In this primer, the authors delineate the key differences between science and pseudoscience, presenting 10 probabilistic indicators or warning signs, such as lack of falsifiability, absence of safeguards against confirmation bias, and lack of self-correction, that can help consumers of the police literature to distinguish scientific from pseudoscientific claims. Each of these warning signs is illustrated with an example from law enforcement. By attending to the differences between scientific and pseudoscientific assertions, police officers and other law enforcement officials can minimize their risk of errors and make better real-world decisions.

Keywords: Confirmation Bias  Falsifiability  Law Enforcement  Peer Review  Police  Pseudoscience  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

35. Russell, M. C. (2008, December). Scientific resistance to research, training and utilization of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in treating post-war disorders. Social Science & Medicine, 67(11), 1737-1746. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2008.09.025.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
In this study, Barber's [(1961). Resistance by scientists to scientific discovery. Science, 134, 596-602] analysis of scientists' resistance to discoveries is examined in relation to an 18-year controversy between the dominant cognitive-behavioral paradigm or zeitgeist and its chief rival - eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in treating trauma-related disorders. Reasons for persistent opposition to training, utilization and research into an identified 'evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder' (EBT-PTSD) within US military and veterans' agencies closely parallels Barber's description of resistance based upon socio-cultural factors and scientific bias versus genuine scientific skepticism. The implications of sustained resistance to EMDR for combat veterans and other trauma sufferers are discussed. A unified or super-ordinate goal is offered to reverse negative trends impacting current and future mental healthcare of military personnel, veterans and other trauma survivors, and to bridge the scientific impasse.[PUBMED]

Keywords: Adults  Americans  Health Personnel Attitudes  Posttraumatic Stress Disorer  PTSD  Scientific Research  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

36. Maxfield, L., Lake, K., & Hyer, L. A. (2004). Some answers to unanswered questions about the empirical support for EMDR in the treatment of PTSD. Traumatology, 10(2), 73-89. doi:10.1177/153476560401000202.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
A recent review [by Rubin] summarized research studies investigating EMDR treatment of PTSD. Rubin identified populations in which there has been insufficient research to determine what treatments, if any, are effective, and he articulated questions about EMDR's efficacy with these groups. He also addressed the problem of potential reviewer bias. Unfortunately his own review of the literature contained numerous errors and failed to consider the context of the larger research field. The purpose of the current article is to provide a more balanced perspective and to clarify confusion that may have been raised by Rubin's article. We provide some answers to the unanswered questions about the efficacy of EMDR treatment for PTSD with child, multiply traumatized civilian, and combat-veteran populations. We also address the methodological questions raised by Rubin (Pilots).

Keywords: Methodology  Populations  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  Professional Criticism  PTSD  Research  Treatment Effectiveness  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

37. Cvetek, R. (2012). Traitement EMDR d'expériences troublantes qui ne répondent pas aux critères de l'ESPT [EMDR treatment of disturbing experiences that do not meet the criteria for PTSD]. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 6(3), 31E-45E. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.6.3.E31.

Language: French

Format: Journal

Abstract:
L’EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing : désensibilisation et retraitement par les mouvements oculaires) permettrait de traiter avec succès non seulement l’état de stress post-traumatique (ESPT) mais aussi d’autres troubles psychiatriques et problèmes de santé mentale dans la mesure où ceux-ci possèdent des facteurs contributifs expérientiels. Cet essai clinique randomisé a étudié les effets du traitement d’expériences troublantes (ou traumatismes petit “t”) qui ne correspondent pas aux critères de l’ESPT. Trois heures d’une forme légèrement adaptée de l’EMDR ont été comparées à une écoute active (placebo attentionnel, également de 3 heures) et à une liste d’attente. Les résultats obtenus auprès de 90 participants ont montré que l’EMDR produisait des scores significativement plus faibles sur l’échelle de l’impact des événements (Impact of Events Scale [IES]) que l’écoute active ou la liste d’attente. L’EMDR résultait également en une augmentation significativement moins importante sur la sous-échelle état de l’inventaire d’anxiété état-trait (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) après le rappel du souvenir. Quelques limites et implications des résultats sont abordées.

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: desensitization and reprocessing movements eye) would successfully treat not only the state of post-traumatic stress (PTSD) but also other psychiatric disorders and mental health problems to the extent they have experiential contributing factors. This randomized clinical trial investigated the effects processing disturbing experiences (or small trauma "t") which do not correspond to criteria for PTSD. Three hours of a slightly adapted form of EMDR were compared to a active listening (attentional placebo, also 3 hours) and a waiting list. The results with 90 participants showed that EMDR produced significantly higher scores low on the scale of impact events (Impact of Events Scale [IES]) as active listening or waiting list. EMDR also resulted in a significantly lower increase in subscale inventory status state-trait anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) after the reminder memory. Some limitations and implications of the findings are discussed.

Keywords: Dysfunctionally Stored Stressful Experiences  Effectiveness  Life Experiences  Random Clinical Trial  RCT  SlovenesS  Small “T” Trauma  Survivors  Treatment Effectiveness  Young Adults  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

38. Brown, P. A. (2012). Trauma research and treatment of combat veterans: An evidence-based integrative literature review. California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
The mainstream treatments for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are Cognitive Behavioral and Prolonged Exposure Therapies (CBT & PE). These closely studied evidence based treatments also show high relapse, dropout, and failure rates of up to half of those treated (Bryant, R., et al., 2008, p. 555). While not as well researched and harder to measure in terms of the gold standard in Evidence Based Practice of Psychology (EBPP), studies of “alternative” treatments and their methods, yield different and interesting evidence. Using the standards espoused by EBPP alongside alternative movements, this study examined modalities used in veterans’ treatment. A guiding question was “What can the field of trauma studies learn from a systematic and comparative review of the research and treatment of combat veterans suffering the sequelae of trauma?” Included in this integrative literature review—which generates a critique and theoretical synthesis of a body of literature (Torraco, R., 2005, p. 356)—were peer-reviewed studies from 2006-2010. The participating studies consisted largely of Veterans Administration (VA)-funded, CBT/PE treatments, with an average of over 32 patients per participating study, of approximately 13 weeks duration, and where 20% of patients avoided treatment, 25% dropped out, and 30% failed treatment altogether. Concept matrix analysis of data included distillation of essential statements further reflecting poor tolerability, dropout, failure, and an inability to maintain symptom reductions (75% of studies). Authors tended to overstate positive effects while omitting adequate examination of study design and construct validity, leading to dearth bias, defined as scarcity of evidence hiding behind citations. From this integrative review of the literature a reconceptualization and agenda for future research emerged. The reconceptualization stems from the usefulness of hybridized efficacy and effectiveness research, self-reflection and bracketing, and more accounting for dearth bias. The future agenda recommends practitioners use concept matrices as iv research and practice tools, conduct more common factors research, and develop more clinical practice-based evidence. Especially as related to knowledge evaluation, increased accountability, and system-wide change, these recommendations can assist the spread of more diverse and useful EBPP, to help relieve some of the pain of the traumatized combat veteran.

Keywords: Combat Veterans  Literature Review  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

39. Friday, S. (2003). Using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing as an intervention for trauma and behavior symptom severity in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Capella University, Minneapolis, MN. AAT 3093820.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
This study investigated the intervention effects of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) on the trauma and behavior symptom severity of 10 children, ages 8 to 11, diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a common childhood disorder with increasing prevalence rates that raise questions concerning overdiagnoses, misdiagnoses, and possible inadequate assessment of primary, comorbid, and differential diagnoses. Accurate assessments for ADHD and trauma-related attentional problems have important implications for diagnostic intervention and treatment planning. The purpose of this research was to investigate if a three-phased treatment intervention including EMDR, a therapy method proven effective in the reduction of PTSD, would show a reduction in the trauma and behavior symptom severity in children with ADHD and trauma symptoms. Evaluation of the efficacy of EMDR in the treatment of ADHD was examined using a multiple-component case study and a repeated measure design for evidence of trauma. Two of the three treatment phases were randomly adjusted from one to three sessions in length, with the intervention method, EMDR, remaining constant for a total of three sessions. Outcome measures were the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS), the Behavioral Assessment of Children Scales (BASC), (teacher and parent forms), and repeated assessments of trauma using the Lifetime Incidence of Traumatic Events Scales (LITE-P&S, parent and student forms), the Child and Parent Reports of Post-Traumatic Symptoms Scales (PROPS & CROPS), and the Problem Rating Scales (PRS). The results from quantitative analysis suggested that the intervention method incorporating EMDR affected a decrease in Externalizing and Internalizing behavior symptom severity and trauma symptom severity in the ADHD children that were studied. Qualitative data suggested that trauma and behavioral symptom severity decreased as a result of the intervention method incorporating EMDR. The results underscore the need for further research to distinguish between the symptom presentation of ADHD and comorbid trauma and behavioral symptoms. A continuous refining of the method of diagnosis and determination of the comorbid disorders is warranted. [Author Abstract] Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering. 64(6-B), 2003, pp. 2901

Keywords: Comorbidity  Disruptive Behavior Disorders  Elementary School Students  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  Empirical Study  Quantitative Study  School Age Children  Stressors  Treatment Effectiveness  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

40. Zantvoord, J. B., Diehle, J., & Lindauer, R. J. (2013, March). Using neurobiological measures to predict and assess treatment outcome of psychotherapy in posttraumatic stress disorder: Systematic review. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 82, 142-151. doi:10.1159/000343258.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Background: Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are effective treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder. However, little is known about their neurobiological effects. The usefulness of neurobiological measures to predict the treatment outcome of psychotherapy also has yet to be determined. Methods: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focused on neurobiological treatment effects of TF-CBT or EMDR and trials with neurobiological measures as predictors of treatment response. Results: We included 23 publications reporting on 16 separate trials. TF-CBT was compared with a waitlist in most trials. TF-CBT was associated with a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure and changes in activity but not in volume of frontal brain structures and the amygdala. Neurobiological changes correlated with changes in symptom severity. EMDR was only tested against other active treatments in included trials. We did not find a difference in neurobiological treatment effects between EMDR and other treatments. Publications on neurobiological predictors of treatment response showed ambiguous results. Conclusion: TF-CBT was associated with a reduction of physiological reactivity. There is some preliminary evidence that TF-CBT influences brain regions involved in fear conditioning, extinction learning and possibly working memory and attention regulation; however, these effects could be nonspecific psychotherapeutic effects. Future trials should use paradigms aimed specifically at these brain regions and physiological reactivity. There are concerns regarding the risk of bias in some of the RCTs, indicating that methodologically more rigorous trials are required. Trials with neurobiological measures as predictors of treatment outcome render insufficient results to be useful in clinical practice. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Accuracy Verified: Yes

41. Russell, M. (2012, March 23). War atrocities in Afghanistan: Who is blameworthy?. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-c-russell-phd-abpp/robert-bales-mental-health-_b_1371478.html on 3/26/2012.

Language: English

Format: Other

Abstract:
When Politics Trumps Science in Military Mental Health Care In January 2011, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigated the DVA's indefensible decision to limit veterans' access to two of its homegrown PTSD treatments --Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) -- while excluding external competitors, like EMDR, developed outside the DVA. For instance, despite billions of dollars spent by the DVA/DoD to research PTSD treatments (e.g., massage, art therapy, marijuana derivatives, etc.), no EMDR research has been conducted since the wars began -- a blatant disregard of military medicine's mission to ensure that all war veterans have unrestricted access to the highest quality mental health treatment possible. Scientific and personal bias should never enter into the equation. The status quo is even more inexplicable when in February, 2012, the DVA informs the Congressional Budget Office that only 40 percent of VA PTSD patients successfully complete PTSD treatment -- a 60 percent wash-out rate! In stark contrast, randomized controlled trials of EMDR in 1998 with Vietnam combat veterans demonstrated that 77 percent of veterans no longer had PTSD diagnosis after 12 sessions -- with no drop-out [2]. Promising results; however, 1998 marked the last EMDR research trial the DVA has funded. [Excerpt]

Keywords: Afghanistan  Blog  Military  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  Veterans  War  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

42. Blore, D. (2011, March). Which, how and why memory networks combine: A plasticity of meaning (PoM) extension to adaptive information processing (AIP). Presentation at the 9th annual Conference of the EMDR UK & Ireland, Bristol.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Adaptive Information Processing (AIP), the theory that underpins EMDR may seem somewhat redundant given the burgeoning clinical database and numerous international recommendations all of which effectively point to ‘because EMDR works, it therefore works’. Put succinctly, does AIP serve any further purpose? The author argues that it does, but that its current bias toward explaining the reduction of Negative Psychological Change (NPC) needs to change. The author’s recent research has highlighted the extensive role of Figurative Language Use (FLU) in PPC resulting in participants’ increased ability to express him/herself following EMDR. To explain these observations, a ‘Plasticity of Meaning’ extension to AIP is proposed to account for PPC and thus convert AIP into a unifying theory of change. The result is to propose a ‘total beneficial outcome’ of EMDR that combines both existing evidence-based practice together with the optimisation of the Maslowvian concept of a client’s ‘full psychological height’.

Keywords: Adaptive Information Processing  AIP  Figurative Language Use  FLU  Plasticity of Meaning  PoM    

Accuracy Verified: Yes