Francine Shapiro Library - EMDR Bibliography Links
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1. [Chang Sue-Hwang, & Lin C.-P.]. （2004年9月）. 從快速眼動到EM在EMDR的：跳視眼球運動和變化的語義關係的強度 [From REM to EM in EMDR: Saccadic eye movements and change of strength of semantic associations]. 在提交的文件 第43次年度會議在台灣心理學會，研討會 焦慮症：心理素質，調解員和治療問題。政大 大學，台北，台灣，9月26日。 （國科會92 -2815- C型002 -072- H）的 [Presentation at the 43rd Annual Conferences on Taiwan Psychological Association, Symposium on Anxiety Disorders: Diatheses, Mediators and Therapeutic Implications. Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan, September 26. (NSC 92-2815-C-002-072-H)].
Language: Chinese
Format: Conference
Abstract:
研讨会焦虑症：糖尿病，调解员和治疗的影响;（国科会92 - 2825 -架C - 002 - 072 - H）的研究背景及目的：本研究从快速眼动睡眠的眼动脱敏和再加工（EMDR）治疗的可能机制依赖内存后处理模型（夏皮罗，1995年; Stickgold，2002年）的建议，通过睡眠诱导活化的弱协会在REM国家和新兴市场在联想记忆改变运作为REM睡眠融入一般语义记忆创伤的情节记忆。该协会的新兴市场对语义变化的影响后，跳视眼球运动是双边审查了本研究。方法：22名大学生被招募参加者。通过语义启动的任务，一个2（眼球运动情况：水平跳视眼球运动主场迎战没有眼球运动）× 2（语义关联的强度：强主场迎战弱）因子之间的题目设计进行审查的EM在变化的影响强度为否定词的语义联想。为负的刺激弱协会primeability改变反对强者来，根据不同的电磁环境进行了比较。结果：2 × 2方差分析结果表明了显着的主要电磁效应和电磁×语义联想实力显着交互作用，显示弱吸大大超过了强大的电磁吸后，而恰恰相反后非统。结论：研究结果呼应快速眼动睡眠相关记忆加工模式，认为在EMDR电磁可能反映了联想记忆系统通过激活不同的语义相关的词负语义节点协会不同强度的转变。对心理治疗的可能性和未来研究的结果所造成的影响进行了讨论。
Symposium on Anxiety Disorders: Diabetes, Mediators and Therapeutic Implications; (NSC 92-2825-C-002-072-H) Research background & aims: This study examined possible therapeutic
mechanisms of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) from
REM-sleep dependent memory reprocessing model (Shapiro, 1995; Stickgold, 2002)
that proposed that sleep induced change in associative memory via activation of weak
association during REM state and EMs functioned as REM sleep to integrate the
episodic memory of trauma into general semantic memory. The effect of EM on
change of semantic associations after saccadic bilateral eye movements was examined
in the present study.
Methods: Twenty two college students were recruited as participants. Via semantic
priming task, a 2 (eye movement condition: horizontal saccadic eye movements vs. no
eye movements) × 2 (strength of semantic association: strong vs. weak) between
subject factorial design was performed to examine the effect of EM on change of
strength of semantic association for negative words. Change of primeability of weak
associations for negative stimuli as opposed to that of strong ones under different EM
conditions was compared.
Results: The 2 × 2 ANOVA showed a significant main effect for EM and a
significant interaction effect of EM × strength of semantic association, indicating that
weak priming significantly exceeded strong priming after EM, while the opposite was
true after non-EM.
Conclusions: The results echoed REM-sleep dependent memory reprocessing model,
suggesting that EM in EMDR might reflect a shift in associative memory systems by
activating different strength of associations of negative semantic nodes for different
semantically related words. The implications of the results for psychotherapy and
future research possibilities are discussed.
Keywords: Anxiety Disorders Postttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD REM REM-Sleep Dependent Memory Reprocessing Model Saccadic Eye Movement Semantic Association Symposium
Accuracy Verified: Yes
2. Fisher, J. A. (2000, November). Adapting EMDR techniques in the treatment of dysregulated or dissociative patients. Presentation at the International Society for the Study of Dissociation Annual Meeting, San Antonio, Texas.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Since its inception, EMDR [Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing]
has been understood by both clinicians and patients as a powerful vehicle for processing
traumatic experience but one to be undertaken only when the patient has achieved some
degree of stabilization (Shapiro, 1992). In DID and DDNOS patients, that baseline
stability is also supposed to include a level of internal communication and consensus that
would permit cooperation between parts of self about how to tolerate the memory
processing and how to re-stabilize afterward. However, as any clinician who works with
this population knows, some dissociative disorder patients never achieve that degree of
internal coherence, and some have a long, rocky, tumultuous, exhausting road to travel
before they get there. Faced with the DID or DDNOS patient who cannot tolerate affect
or associations to traumatic memories; who cannot control switching, get grounded, or
resolve internal struggles over power and control; who is unable to manage selfdestructive
impulses; who cannot differentiate past and present experience; who is even
unable to tolerate Resource Development (Korn & Leeds, 2002) or create a Safe Place
inside—is there any way that EMDR can be helpful?
Keywords: Dissociation Dysregulation
Accuracy Verified: Yes
3. Lu, D. P., Lu, G. P., & Lu, W. I. (2007). Anxiety control of dental patients by clinical combination of acupuncture, bi-digital o-ring test, and eye movement desensitization with sedation via submucosal route. Acupuncture and Electro-Therapeutics Research, 32(1-2), 15-30 .
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
The data presented in this article was collected after reviewing clinical findings gathered from using various anxiety control methods on apprehensive patients. We examined clinical applications of the eye movement (EM) component of Eye Movement Desensitization (EMD) on fearful dental patients who have histories of traumatic dental experiences. We also used Bi-Digital O-Ring Test (BDORT) to select the proper dosage of sedative to minimize the adverse side effects. For patients who did not respond well to EM, we used BDORT to select the proper sedative medication and its dosage. In certain difficult cases, we supplemented these techniques with acupuncture to augment the sedative effects. Findings were based on the clinical impressions and assessments of both the patients and the operating team. Results showed that EM, although effective in enabling patients to undergo non-invasive dental procedures such as clinical examination and simple prophylaxis, had only limited beneficial effect with invasive procedures such as extraction, drilling, and injections, etc. We also found that BDORT greatly reduced adverse side effects of sedatives such as hypertension, hypotension, hypoxia, tachycardia, bradycardia, nausea, and vomiting. For most apprehensive patients, we found that EMD and acupuncture combined with BDORT predetermined dosage for the submucosal sedation enabled these patients to undergo the complete dental treatment. The authors try to explain the mechanism of BDORT and EM in terms of visual awareness (or consciousness) and preferred patterns, where neurons in the brain respond to the actions and/or direction of movement. The authors believe that BDORT and EM could have better results if the persons performing BDORT have visual awareness and are focused on the task; whereas in EM, the patient's eye on the therapist's hand movements. A more focused approach via visual pathway will result in more favorable results in EM. Likewise, performing BDORT absentmindedly could lead to false results if visual awareness (or consciousness) is absent. "Preferred pattern" will arouse neurons in the brain to cause conscientiousness, and performing BDORT with 'open eyes' arouse the necessary visual awareness that is necessary for the successful performance of BDORT tasks
Keywords: Acupuncture Anxiety Bi-Digital O-Ring Test Dental Phobic Patients Pharmacological sedation Preferred Patterns Visual Pathway
Accuracy Verified: Yes
4. Carter, A. (2007, June). Assessment and treatment of complex PTSD and dissociative disorders in childhood and adolescence, the role and use of EMDR. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Paris, France.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Damage occurs to a child’s self in the context of relationship when raised in an environment of abuse and neglect. This damage to self is manifested through disruptions in development. A child or adolescent will be unable to perform tasks a non-traumatized child or adolescent has not difficulty mastering. These tasks may be physical, emotional, intellectual, sexual, social, or spiritual. When these disruptions become manifest in the environment with which the child or adolescent is interacting, home, school, or community, conflict arises. The conflict is both internal with self and external in relationship, behavioral, and biological. This is generally when a child or adolescent is brought into therapy for intervention Caregivers are not always aware of the impact traumatic events have on a child’s life or may not want to deal with the impact and the long term implications. The therapeutic relationship is a context outside of the system where the child was traumatized that provide the potential environment and relationship which can facilitate healing for the child, adolescent, and possible, the system in which they live.
Children and adolescents with a complex PTSD will often employ the use of dissociation as a way to cope with overwhelming events or chronically dysfunctional lifestyles. The degree and way in which the child dissociates to self regulate internal systems will determine behavioural and neurological trajectories in their life such as, how the child will cope, rupture of developmental task attainment, and it will determine what type of attachment process the child experiences. Also determined are: impulse control, sleep regulation, meta cognitive functioning, neurobiological processes and the integrative processes of self. When there is no therapeutic intervention, the self which emerges as a result of these processes is a “traumatic self” organization, that is a self structural in response to traumatic experience determined to avoid the repetition of the traumatic experience “at all costs.” The biological body that emerges is the traumatized body organized for avoidance in the forms of fighting, fleeing, or freezing and submitting.
The assessment phase of therapy will map for the therapist and client where the internal dysregulation occur, what are the maladaptive response which have been developed, and what the negative beliefs are which all contribute to the construction of the “traumatic self." There are a variety of assessment tools specifically designed for this purpose.
Once the map is established, a plan can be developed to use with children and adolescents and family for therapy and for EMDR. There are a variety of models which have been developed to use with children and adolescents to process bad memories, negative cognitions and to strengthen internal resources. EMDR can also be used to facilitate state change, strengthen self regulatory capacities, and promote integrative processes of authentic self, facilitating healing throughout self, body, and relational systems.
Keywords: Adolescents Children Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Complex PTSD C-PTSD Dissociative Disorders
Accuracy Verified: Yes
5. Sack, M., Lempa, W., & Lamprecht, W. (2007). Assessment of psychophysiological stress reactions during a traumatic reminder in patients treated with EMDR. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 1(1), 15-23. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.1.1.15.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
This study investigates changes of stress-related psychophysiological reactions after treatment with EMDR. 16 patients with PTSD following type I trauma underwent psychometric and psychophysiological assessment during exposure to script-driven imagery before and after EMDR and at 6-month follow-up. Psychophysiological assessment included heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) during a neutral task and during trauma script listening. PTSD symptoms as assessed by questionnaire decreased significantly after treatment and during follow-up in comparison to pretreatment. After EMDR, stress-related HR reactions during trauma script were significantly reduced, while HRV indicating parasympathetic tone increased both during neutral script and during trauma script. These results were maintained during the follow-up assessment. Successful EMDR treatment may be associated with reduced psychophysiological stress reactions and heightened parasympathetic tone. [Author Abstract]
Keywords: Adults Germans Manual-Based Treatments Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Psychophysiology PTSD Stressors Survivors Treatment Effectiveness
Accuracy Verified: Yes
6. van den Hout, M., Muris, P., Salemink, E., & Kindt, M. (2001). Autobiographical memories become less vivid and emotional after eye movements. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 40(2), 121-130. doi:10.1348/014466501163535.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Objectives: To test (1) whether eye movements during retrieval of emotional memories are followed by less vividness and less emotionality of future recollections, (2) whether this effect, if present, is stronger than the effects of a control activity (finger tapping), (3) whether the alleged effects of tapping and eye movements are stronger than a no-movement, control condition (mere imagery), (4) whether reductions in vividness and emotionality after eye movements (and finger tapping) are specific to negative memories or also occur in the case of positive memories. Method: 60 healthy volunteers recalled either positive or negative memories and scored the vividness and emotionality of the recollections. Next, memories were recalled whilst the participant was performing rapid eye movements, finger tapping, or not performing a dual task. Then participants were asked to recall the event again and to rate its vividness and emotionality. Results: Compared to finger tapping and the no-dual-task condition, recollections after eye movements made future recollections less vivid. After eye movements, but not after the other interventions, negative memories became less negative, and positive memories became less positive. Conclusion: The findings show that eye movements not only reduce vividness and emotionality of memories during the eye moving, but also affect future recollections, during which no eye movements are made. Some theoretical explanations are discussed. As to clinical implications, it is suggested that if there is a role for eye-movement-based treatments, it is very limited. [Author Abstract]
Keywords: Adolescents Cognitive Processes College Students Dutch Exposure Therapy Memory Impairment Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Survivors Treatment Effectiveness Young Adults
Accuracy Verified: Yes
7. Christman, S., & Garvey, K. (2001, June). Bilateral eye movements reduce cortical activation asymmetries. Presentation at the 2001 EMDR International Association Conference, Austin, TX.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Alternating left-right eye movements (EMs) have been shown to enhance episodic memory recall (Christman & Garvey, 2000). In turn, enhanced recall of episodic, or autobiographical, memories has been linked to increased interhemispheric interaction (Christman & Propper, 2001; Propper & Christman, 1997). Since leftward versus rightward EMs induce right versus hemisphere activation, respectively (Bakan & Svorad, 1969), bilateral EMs may facilitate interhemispheric interaction by balancing hemispheric activation levels. In other words, asymmetries in cortical activation may impair interhemispheric communication. Christman and Garvey (2000), however, demonstrated only that bilateral EMs enhance episodic memory performance; they did not directly measure hemispheric activation. To test this hypothesis directly, participants were administered two behavioral tests that are sensitive to variations in hemispheric activation. The Chimeric Faces Test (Levy, Heller, Banich, & Burton, 1983) involves mirror-image pairs of faces, with one smiling hemiface and one neutral hemiface, presented under conditions of free viewing. Participants are asked to judge which member of a pair looks happier. Right versus left hemiface biases are associated with relative increases in left versus right hemispheric activation. Line bisection tasks also tap into hemispheric activation, with leftward versus rightward bisection errors reflecting increased right versus left hemisphere activation. Bisection tasks, however, are also influenced by premotor asymmetries (e.g., Luh, 1995), and thus represent a less pure measure of hemispheric activation.
METHODS Participants performed blocks of chimeric face and line bisection trials. They then engaged in 30 seconds of alternating left-right saccades (2 eye movements per second). Participants then performed a second block of trials for both tasks.
RESULTS Results showed that behavioral asymmetries in the chimeric face task were significantly reduced after the EMs (p<.029). This supports the hypothesis that bilateral EMs reduce hemispheric activation asymmetries. Performance on line bisection task, however, was unaffected by EMs (F<1), perhaps reflecting the fact that this task is a less direct measure of hemispheric activation.
DISCUSSION These results provide further insight into mechanisms underlying EMDR therapy used for PTSD patients. Reduction in hemispheric activation asymmetry arising from bilateral EMs employed in the current study (and in EMDR) may enhance interhemispheric communication. This interpretation is consistent with Ramachandran (1995), who showed that vestibular stimulation (inducing optokinetic nystagmus and resulting in involuntary left-right EMs) reduces the denial of deficit found in anosagnosia patients.
Ramachandran (1995) suggested that the procedure benefits the hypoaroused right hemisphere, bringing its activation level up to par with the left hemisphere. Similarly, EMs used in EMDR may balance hemispheric activation levels, in turn enhancing interhemispheric communication and retrieval of episodic memories.
Keywords: Bilateral Stimulation Eye Movements
Accuracy Verified: Yes
8. 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
9. Emard, P. (1995, June). A brief look at MRI brief therapy. Presentation at the EMDR Network Conference, Santa Monica, CA.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
The MRI approach to brief therapy originated out of the serendipitous coming together of several incredibly creative minds that
resulted in a form of psychotherapy in which the major goal was to make psychotherapy more efficient and more effective. It evolved
out of research project on communication begun by anthropologist Gregory Bateson that soon involved the work of hypnotherapist
Milton H. Erickson and psychiatrist Don Jackson. John Weakland, Jay Haley, Paul Watzlawick and Richard Fisch began to publish
the ideas that resulted fiom the early research findings and in doing so developed a particular set of assumptions about the formation
and resolution of human problems that differed significantly from traditional treatment models of the time. Further refinements
through the clinical application of these methods resulted in a model of treatment that was a pioneer of the brief psychotherapy
movement. It is based on a non-normative and non-pathological way of viewing people with problems; it looks at people in the
context of their living situations; it resists the idea of client resistance, it places great emphasis on the use of language; and it seeks
to amplify client assets and resources and minimize client liabilities and shortcomings.
Brief therapists assume a willingness to be an active change agent for the benefit of their clients. They accept responsibility for
creating an atmosphere of respect, patience, and creativity in which clients can find alternative ways to think and behave. They
believe they have a set of tasks to perform that will hopefully result in the resolution or, as a minimum, the diminishment of the
problem situation for which the client originally sought help.
These tasks consist of a combination of ways of thinking and acting that are designed to increase the likelihood that the client will
experience relief from a painful problem. One of the main tasks for a brief therapist is to find ways to construe the problems
presented by the client so that a solution can be found. Brief therapists inquire into the interactional systemic aspects of a problem,
the context or environment in which the problem occurs, the people involved in the problematic situation, and the ways the client has
attempted to resolve the problem thus far.
Another very important task is to identify and gain access to the persons who are the most interested in and willing to work toward
changing the problem situation. The idea here is to spend the bulk of the therapeutic time and effort working with the person who is
most invested in the change process. Brief therapists find ways to appeal to this person's values and belief systems so that (s)he will
engage in activities and/or alter her/his behavior in ways that are likely to change the problem situation.
A third task on which brief therapists concentrate is the establishment of clear, concrete, and doable goals of treatment. They
collaborate with the client to determine what the client hopes to gain from treatment and when the client will know she is ready to
handle life on his/her own, this assumes an emphasis on the client's present and the possibilities for the client's future rather than
his/her past.
The fourth task brief therapists focus on is the development of ways of intervening in the way the presenting problem is being
handled in the present time. This is based on the central assumption that one of the main goals of psychotherapy is to induce
clients to change the way a problem is handled. Such intervening is the result of thoughtful and careful consideration of many factors
surrounding the problem situation and involves the use of a variety of skills.
A final task for the brief therapist is to find ways to remove him/herself from the client's life in such a way that the client has faith in
her/his own ability to function effectively without the therapist.
This treatment model offers clinicians an opportunity to work in positive, goal-directed ways that clients find helpful and therapists
find challenging and satisfying. It calls upon clinicians to develop keen observation skills, the ability to see things fiom a variety of
perspectives, and an appreciation for the vast resources clients bring with them to therapy. While it is a simple model of treatment, it
is by no means an easy one to master. It requires clinicians to step outside their usual frames of reference in the pursuit of creative
solutions to difficult human problems. It rewards them with a greater sense of accomplishment and increased client satisfaction.
In the ever-changing world of mental health, this is no small achievement.
Keywords: MRI Brief Therapy
Accuracy Verified: Yes
10. Holmes, E. A., James, E. L., Coode-Bate, T., & Deeprose, C. (2009). Can playing the computer game “Tetris” reduce the build-up of flashbacks for trauma? A proposal from cognitive science. PLoS ONE, 4(1): e4153. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0004153 .
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Background.
Flashbacks are the hallmark symptom of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although we have successful treatments for full-blown PTSD, early interventions are lacking. We propose the utility of developing a ‘cognitive vaccine’ to prevent PTSD flashback development following exposure to trauma. Our theory is based on two key findings: 1) Cognitive science suggests that the brain has selective resources with limited capacity; 2) The neurobiology of memory suggests a 6-hr window to disrupt memory consolidation. The rationale for a ‘cognitive vaccine’ approach is as follows: Trauma flashbacks are sensory-perceptual, visuospatial mental images. Visuospatial cognitive tasks selectively compete for resources required to generate mental images. Thus, a visuospatial computer game (e.g. “Tetris”) will interfere with flashbacks. Visuospatial tasks post-trauma, performed within the time window for memory consolidation, will reduce subsequent flashbacks. We predicted that playing “Tetris” half an hour after viewing trauma would reduce flashback frequency over 1-week.
Methodology/Principal Findings.
The Trauma Film paradigm was used as a well-established experimental analog for Post-traumatic Stress. All participants viewed a traumatic film consisting of scenes of real injury and death followed by a 30-min structured break. Participants were then randomly allocated to either a no-task or visuospatial (“Tetris”) condition which they undertook for 10-min. Flashbacks were monitored for 1-week. Results indicated that compared to the no-task condition, the “Tetris” condition produced a significant reduction in flashback frequency over 1-week. Convergent results were found on a clinical measure of PTSD symptomatology at 1-week. Recognition memory between groups did not differ significantly. Conclusions/Significance.
Playing “Tetris” after viewing traumatic material reduces unwanted, involuntary memory flashbacks to that traumatic film, leaving deliberate memory recall of the event intact. Pathological aspects of human memory in the aftermath of trauma may be malleable using non-invasive, cognitive interventions. This has implications for a novel avenue of preventative treatment development, much-needed as a crisis intervention for the aftermath of traumatic events.
Keywords: Flashbacks Tetris
Accuracy Verified: Yes
11. Royle, L. (2012, October). The challenges of integrating EMDR basic training into the context of your own practice. Presentation at the at the 4th Autumn EMDR Workshop Conference, Sheffield, UK.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
The workshop will look at common challenges faced by therapists when beginning the task of integrating EMDR basic training into their existing practice and skills. It will discuss how therapists often react to this challenge (including ‘giving up’ and ‘protocol drift’) and offer suggestions on how to overcome this. The specific difficulties encountered by those with different theoretical backgrounds will be highlighted. This workshop is aimed at novice EMDR therapists who may be feeling apprehensive about applying their new skills.
Accuracy Verified: Yes
12. Makinson, R. A., & Young, J. S. (2012, April). Cognitive behavioral therapy and the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Where counseling and neuroscience meet. Journal of Counseling & Development, 90(2), 131-140. doi:10.1111/j.1556-6676.2012.00017.x .
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
There is increasing evidence to support the biological basis of mental disorders. Subsequently, understanding the neurobiological context from which mental distress arises can help counselors appropriately apply cognitive behavioral therapy and other well-researched cognitive interventions. The purpose of this article is to describe the neurobiological context underlying the formation and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorders, a mental disorder frequently encountered by counselors, from a cognitive therapy framework.
Recent changes to the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (2009) accreditation standards include the need for counselors-in-training to understand the neurobiological basis of behavior, which marks a new direction for the training of professional counselors who have historically reacted ambivalently toward medical models for understanding client concerns and treatments. Yet recent findings in neuroscience actually support the verbally based interventions that counselors typically use in treatment; therefore, there is much to be gained by counselors and counselor educators in understanding the basics of human neurobiology and how commonly used counseling interventions intervene on these biological systems. The National Institute of Mental Health (2010) stated in a recent strategic plan that “Important discoveries in areas such as genetics, neuroscience, and behavioral science largely account for the substantial gains in knowledge that have helped us to understand the complexities of mental illnesses and behavioral disorders over the past 15 years” (“Introduction,” para. 4).
Given the increasingly biological focus of mental health research, the practicing counselor is faced with the task of understanding and using the emerging mental health treatments and explaining to clients, to reimbursing agencies, and to the broader public how counseling fits within the medically dominated mental health culture. Some counselors have long reacted ambivalently toward the pathologically oriented diagnostic categories of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV;American Psychiatric Association, 1994) system and the medication-dominated world of psychiatry. For example, the contrasting viewpoints on this issue were published in the Journal of Counseling & Development between Allen and Mary Ivey (1998, 1999) and Scott Hinkle (1999). Ivey and Ivey (1998) argued for a developmental interpretation to the DSM-IV, opposing what they called the “pathological view” (p. 334) of the manual. According to Ivey and Ivey, disorders could be viewed through a positive development tradition to lie not within the individual but within the contextual systems in which a person lives. Subsequently, disorders are viewed as a “logical response to a developmental history” (Ivey & Ivey, 1999, p. 484). By contrast, Hinkle (1999) argued that because anxiety and depressive disorders “are the most common clinical symptoms associated with presentation to counseling” (p. 475), the counseling profession is weakened if counselors shy away from direct participation in the DSM nomenclature and treatment parlance. As Hinkle indicated, “mental disorders according to the medical model describe disease processes, not people” (p. 475). Regardless of the reader's philosophical perspective, practicing counselors know participation in medical and psychiatric systems is necessary at times. Also, recent discoveries in the field of neuroscience are providing evidence that interventions often used by counselors have direct physiological impact on client neurobiology (Kennedy et al., 2007; Linden, 2006). For example, Felmingham et al. (2007) demonstrated significant differences in brain activity before and after 8 weeks of exposure therapy, which correlated with a reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. Similarly, Paquette et al. (2003) found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) alters the activation and metabolism of specific brain regions following successful treatment of spider phobia. These findings, along with others (for a detailed review, see Beauregard, 2007; Frewen, Dozois, & Lanius, 2008), are significant because they support the techniques, interventions, and approaches used by counselors and provide a mechanism by which counseling positively affects brain physiology. Within the emerging physiologically based treatment milieu, counselors should be prepared to articulate how cognitive counseling interventions make measurable changes to the client. Although cognitive-behavioral-based approaches are effective in the treatment of a number of psychiatric illnesses, adult PTSD is arguably one of the best understood mental disorders from a neurological perspective. It thus presents a valuable model for exploring not only the basic tenets of neurobiology but also the mechanisms behind its successful treatment. Furthermore, PTSD is a disorder that counselors will likely encounter in practice.
PTSD is a mental disorder characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms due to environmental exposure to a psychologically stressful event such as war, natural disaster, or sexual victimization. Thus, it provides a clear example of how, even in adulthood, neurological adaptation (in this case maladaptive changes) can functionally “rewire” the brain in a short period of time, resulting in a sustained array of clinical symptoms. The diagnostic criteria for PTSD are a history of exposure to a traumatic event meeting two criteria and symptoms from each of three symptom clusters: intrusive recollections, avoidant/numbing symptoms, and hyperarousal symptoms. A fifth criterion concerns duration of symptoms and a sixth assesses functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2000).
The National Comorbidity Survey Replication, conducted between February 2001 and April 2003 (Kessler et al., 2005), determined that the estimated lifetime prevalence of PTSD among American adults is 6.8%, with women (9.7%) twice as likely as men (3.6%) to have the disorder at some point in their lives. These findings are very similar to those of the first National Comorbidity Survey conducted in the early 1990s (Kessler, Sonnega, Bromet, Hughes, & Nelson, 1995), which was composed of interviews of a representative national sample of 8,098 Americans ages 15 to 54 years. In this earlier sample, the estimated prevalence of lifetime PTSD was 7.8% in the general population. As in the more recent survey, women (10.4%) were more than twice as likely as men (5%) to have PTSD at some point in their lives (Kessler et al., 2005; Kessler et al., 1995).
Keywords: CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Neurobiological Basis of Behavior Neurobiology Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD
Accuracy Verified: Yes
13. Kristjánsdóttir, K., & Lee, C. W. (2011). A comparison of visual versus auditory concurrent tasks on reducing the distress and vividness of aversive autobiographical memories. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 5(2), 34-41. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.5.2.34.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
This study investigated the benefits of eye movement similar to that used in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) on reducing the vividness and emotionality of negative autobiographical memories. It was hypothesized, based on the working memory model, that any task that disrupts working memory would reduce the vividness and emotionality of distressing memories. In addition, it was predicted that the more visual a memory, the greater the reduction in vividness by a concurrent visual task over an auditory task (counting). Thirty-six nonclinical participants were asked to recall an unpleasant autobiographical memory while performing each of three dual-attention tasks: eye movement, listening to counting, or control (short exposure). Results showed that vividness and emotionality ratings of the memory decreased significantly after eye movement and counting, and that eye movement produced the greatest benefit. Furthermore, eye movement facilitated greater decrease in vividness irrespective of the modality of the memory. Although this is not consistent with the hypothesis from a working memory model of mode-specific effects, it is consistent with a central executive explanation. Implications for enhancing exposure treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are discussed.
Keywords: Autobiographical Memory Counting Method Eye Movement Vividness Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
14. Staff. (2000). Complex PTSD in children II: Therapeutic interventions. Cavalcade Productions, Inc., Nevada City, CA.
Language: English
Format: Video
Abstract:
In this video series, Bessel van der Kolk and other clinicians from The Trauma Center, along with therapists Joyanna Silberg and Frances Waters, describe the assessment tools and therapeutic approaches that they have found most useful in working the severely traumatized in children. The clinician's role in such cases often includes working with parents or guardians as well as children, and can extend far beyond the therapy room to encompass psychoeducation and advocacy. For children with complex PTSD, safety must be established both externally and internally. Maintaining internal safety can be an especially difficult task when the child is highly dissociative. The presenters discuss ground techniques that can help a child to stay safe and stable, and describe the therapeutic modalities "play, talk, art, and group therapy" that they have found useful. Topics include controlling aggression, accessing emotions, changing the trauma story, and using EMDR.
Keywords: Children Clinical Judgment Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Complex PTSD C-PTSD Intervention Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Therapeutic Processes Treatment
Accuracy Verified: Yes
15. Joseph, S. A. (2002, May). Counterpoint: Emperor's new clothes?. The Psychologist, 15(5), 242-243.
Language: English
Format: Magazine
Abstract:
Argues that present-day scientific knowledge is inadequate to warrant the existence of a fully developed therapeutic approach based on eye movements or any other dual-attention task.
A comment on: Francine Shapiro and Louise Maxfield, "In the blink of an eye," Psychologist 15(3): 120-124 (March 2002. [Pilots]
Keywords: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Professional Criticism PTSD Treatment
Accuracy Verified: Yes
16. van den Hout, M. A., Engelhard, I. M., Smeets, M. A. M., Hornsveld, H., Hoogeveen, E., de Heer, E., Toffolo, M. B. J., & Rijkeboer, M. (2010, April). Counting during recall: Taxing of working memory and reduced vividness and emotionality of negative memories. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 24(3), 303-311. doi:10.1002/acp.1677.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
While initially subject to debate, meta-analyses have shown that eye movement desensitization and
reprocessing (EMDR) is effective in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Earlier
studies showed that eye movements during retrieval of emotional memories reduce their vividness and emotionality, which may be due to both tasks competing for limited working memory (WM)resources. This study examined whether another secondary task that taxes WM has beneficial effects, and whether the stronger the taxing, the stronger the reductions in vividness/adversity. A reaction time (RT) paradigm showed that counting backwards requiresWMresources, and that more complex
counting is more demanding than simple counting. Relative to a retrieval-only condition, counting
during retrieval of emotional memories reduced vividness and emotionality during later recall of
these memories. However, the counting conditions did not differ in the magnitude of this reduction,
and did not show the predicted dose-response relationship. Implications for a working-memory
explanation of EMDR and for clinical practice are discussed. Copyright#2010 JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keywords: Counting Reaction Time Paradigm Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
17. Hillman, J. L. (2002). Crisis intervention and trauma, New approaches to evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.
Language: English
Format: Book
Abstract: R
ecent findings from an American Psychological Association task force suggest that one in four therapists will experience patient suicide, and that one in eight will feel threatened by patient violence during their career. Experts from this task force have also noted that clinicians receive virtually no formal training or coursework in crisis intervention. Despite the increasing need for professional services among members of the general population, current practitioners have few texts available that provide step-by-step, detailed information about how to engage in crisis intervention, and how to integrate recent, empirical research findings into theory and practice. This volume helps bridge this critical gap by providing a theoretically advanced, yet practical guide to crisis intervention.
Particular attention is given to the role of violence within our culture, patient suicide, school and workplace violence, long-term sequelae of trauma, clinical assessment and risk management, professional boundaries and burn-out, domestic violence, and the neurophysiology of trauma, as well as the needs of typically underserved patient populations including minority group members, older adults, gays and lesbians, and children. The text also features critical reviews of controversial topics, including EMDR, critical incident stress debriefing, recovered memories, dissociative identity disorder, and alternative medicine. [Springer]
Keywords: Crisis Intervention Trauma
Accuracy Verified: Yes
18. Littel, M. (2013, April). De rol van emotionaliteit op de effectiviteit van EMDR [The role of emotionality in the effectiveness of EMDR]. In Onderzoek track 1 and 2. Presentatie op Het congres EMDR Vereniging EMDR Nederland, Nijmegen, Nederland.
Language: Dutch
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Als tijdens het ophalen van een autobiografische herinnering een andere taak wordt uitgevoerd die het werkgeheugen belast, zoals het maken van oogbewegingen, wordt de herinnering waziger terug opgeslagen: de levendigheid en emotionaliteit van de herinnering neemt af. Dit fenomeen kan verklaren waarom EMDR zo goed werkt als behandeling voor PTSD. Al het onderzoek dat tot nu toe gedaan is naar de effecten van oogbewegingen op herinneringen maakte gebruik van emotionele (positieve/negatieve) herinneringen. In de huidige presentatie zal worden ingegaan op de rol van deze emotionaliteit op de effectiviteit van EMDR.
Uit onderzoek blijkt dat emotionele gebeurtenissen beter en gedetailleerder in het geheugen worden opgeslagen dan neutrale gebeurtenissen. Dit gebeurt als gevolg van verhoogde emotionele arousal, ofwel verhoogde afgifte van diverse stoffen in het brein, met als belangrijkste noradrenaline. Als noradrenaline wordt geblokkeerd met medicatie worden emotionele gebeurtenissen namelijk even slecht onthouden als neutrale.
Ook tijdens het ophalen van emotionele herinneringen ontstaat er emotionele arousal. En het blokkeren van noradrenaline na het ophalen van een emotionele herinnering zorgt ervoor dat deze minder intens wordt terug opgeslagen in het geheugen. Emotionaliteit zorgt dus voor betere geheugen (re)consolidatie.
De vraag is nu of het feit dat de in EMDR opgehaalde herinneringen emotioneel geladen zijn belangrijk is voor de effectiviteit van EMDR. En zo ja, zorgt de emotionele arousal die vrijkomt er dan voor dat de wazig-gemaakte herinneringen beter worden opgeslagen in het geheugen? Of werkt het op een andere manier?
In de huidige presentatie zullen de resultaten worden besproken van een studie waarin onderzocht is of ook levendige neutrale herinneringen, net als emotionele herinneringen, door oogbewegingen minder levendig kunnen worden. Voorts zullen plannen besproken worden voor een studie naar oogbewegingen waarin emotionele arousal gemanipuleerd wordt. Ook zullen wetenschappelijke en klinische implicaties worden besproken.
If during the retrieval of autobiographical memories another task that taxed working memory, such as making eye movements, the reminder is stored back blurred: the vividness and emotionality of the memory decreases. This phenomenon may explain why EMDR works so well as a treatment for PTSD. All the research done so far has been on the effects of eye movements made use of emotional memories (positive / negative) memories. In the current presentation will discuss the role of emotionality on the effectiveness of EMDR.
Studies show that emotional events better and more detailed in the memory than neutral events. This happens due to increased emotional arousal, or increased release of various substances in the brain, the main noradrenaline. If norepinephrine is blocked with medication emotional events are remembered because as bad as neutral.
During the retrieval of emotional memories creates emotional arousal. And blocking norepinephrine after getting an emotional memory makes it less intense back stored in memory. Emotionality thus provides better memory (re) consolidation.
The question now is whether the fact that the EMDR retrieved emotionally charged memories are important for the effectiveness of EMDR. And if so, will the emotional arousal released sure the blurry-made memories are better stored in memory? Whether it works in a different way?
In the current presentation, the results are discussed from a study which investigated is whether vivid memories neutral, like emotional memories, by eye movements may be less vivid. Further plans will be discussed for a study of eye movements in which emotional arousal is manipulated. Also, scientific and clinical implications are discussed.
Keywords: Emotionality
Accuracy Verified: Yes
19. Rijken, T. A. (2012). De werkzaamheid van eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Ondersteuning voor een afleidingstheorie [The efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Support for a theoretical derivation]. Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Language: Dutch
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
De eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) interventie wordt veelvoudig gebruikt in de gezondheidszorg en is een van de meest onderzochte interventies voor posttraumatische stress-stoornis. De populariteit van deze interventie kan mede worden toegeschreven aan de aangetoonde werkzaamheid van EMDR voor het verminderen van traumasymptomen. EMDR is een behandeling die bedoeld is om de helderheid en aversiviteit van traumaherinneringen te verminderen. Tijdens de interventie staat het ophalen van traumatische herinneringen en tegelijkertijd het maken van oogbewegingen centraal. De laatste jaren zijn labstudies toegepast om te achterhalen hoe EMDR precies werkt. Uit deze studies blijkt dat de belasting van het werkgeheugen door een duale taak een belangrijk component van EMDR is. Het werkgeheugen heeft namelijk een beperkte capaciteit. Dit zorgt ervoor dat er minder capaciteit beschikbaar is voor de traumatische herinnering wanneer deze tijdens de behandeling wordt belast met een taak (bv. oogbewegingen). De werkgeheugentheorie is bruikbaar, maar er is wellicht een simpelere verklaring voor de werkzaamheid van EMDR: afleiding. Het is praktisch te weten hoe EMDR werkt zodat er meer duidelijkheid ontstaat over hoe EMDR precies moet worden toegepast. Daarnaast is het begrip van de werking van EMDR belangrijk voor het vaststellen van eventuele bruikbaarheid bij meerdere stoornissen. Het doel van huidig experiment is het kritisch onderzoeken of er een verschil is tussen het ophalen van een negatieve herinnering met een visuele afleidingstaak en het ophalen van een negatieve herinnering met het maken van oogbewegingen op de mate van levendigheid en emotionaliteit. Daarnaast dient het onderzoek als replicatie van Kavanagh et al. (2001) die hetzelfde beoogde te onderzoeken, maar geen rekening hield met de cognitieve belasting van de taken. Uit de resultaten van het huidige onderzoek blijkt dat de oogbewegingstaak en de visuele afleidingstaak verschillen in de mate van vertraging op de reactietijdtaak. De oogbewegingen leiden tot een grotere vertraging. Desondanks laten de resultaten van het experiment zien dat tijdens het toepassen van de interventies de visuele ruis tot grotere reductie van zowel levendigheid als emotionaliteit leidt in vergelijking met de oogbewegingen en het niets doen. Oogbewegingen laten intermediaire resultaten zien. Het lijkt er op dat de resultaten in strijd zijn met de gangbare werkgeheugentheorie en de ‘afleidingstheorie’ ondersteunen als verklaring voor de werkzaamheid van EMDR. Het is wellicht afleiding dat voldoende zou kunnen zijn om de werkzaamheid van EMDR te bewerkstelligen. Meer onderzoek is nodig om deze resultaten te ondersteunen.
The Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) intervention is multiple used in health care and is one of the most studied treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder. The popularity of this intervention may also be attributed to the demonstrated efficacy of EMDR for reducing trauma symptoms. EMDR is a treatment designed to reduce the brightness and aversiviteit memories of trauma reduction. During the intervention is retrieving traumatic memories while making eye movements centrally. In recent years labstudies used to determine how EMDR works. These studies show that the load on working memory by a dual task is an important component of EMDR. The memory has a limited capacity ie. This ensures that there is less capacity available for the traumatic memory during treatment when it is subjected to a task (eg eye movements). The working memory theory is useful, but there may be a simpler explanation for the efficacy of EMDR: distraction. It is practical to know how EMDR works so that more clarity about exactly how EMDR should be applied. In addition, the concept of the operation of EMDR important for determining the potential usefulness in multiple disorders. The purpose of the present experiment is to critically examine whether there is a difference between getting a negative memory with a visual distraction task and retrieval of a negative memory making eye movements on the degree of vividness and emotionality. Research must also as a replication of Kavanagh et al (2001) that the same was intended to investigate, but took no account of the cognitive load of the tasks. The results of the present study show that the oogbewegingstaak and visual distraction task differences in the extent of delayed response task. The eye movements lead to a longer delay. Nevertheless, the results of the experiment show that while applying the intervention visual noise to greater reduction in both vividness and emotionality results in comparison with the eye movements and do nothing. Eye movements show intermediate results. It seems that the results are contrary to the usual working memory theory and the "distraction theory 'support as an explanation for the efficacy of EMDR. It might distractions that may be sufficient to establish the efficacy of EMDR to achieve. More research is needed to support these results.
Keywords: Theory Derivation Working Memory Theory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
20. 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.
Accuracy Verified: Yes
21. Alblas, E. E. (2012). Desensitisation and facilitation of memory after eye movements: An effort to solve an apparent contradiction. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.
Language: English
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
Post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) is a disorder characterized by frequent vivid memories of a traumatic event. A current effective treatment for PTSD is Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing treatment (EMDR). A model to explain the desensitizing effects by eye movements is the dual task hypothesis of working memory (WM). This posits that eye movements as second task exceed WM capacity, thus blurring subsequent reconsolidation of the (traumatic) memory. Eye movements prior to recall however have also been observed to facilitate memory. This thesis reviews several models to analyse whether the conflicting findings could result from one underlying process, or whether procedural differences in study design are likely to generate the opposing effects.
Keywords: Memory Desensitization Memory Facilitation Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PSTD
Accuracy Verified: Yes
22. Gelbach, R. A., & Davis, K. E. B. (2007). Disaster response: EMDR and family systems therapy under communitywide stress. In F. Shaprio, F. W. Kaslow, & L. Maxfield (Eds.), Handbook of EMDR and family therapy processes (pp. 387-404). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Language: English
Format: Book Section
Abstract:
Disaster is commonly understood as an overwhelming misfortune that is not easily overcome or set right. Though our lives may go on after a disaster, it is virtually certain that they will have been transformed in some profound way. Nevertheless, it is very clear that not all who live through a disaster will be traumatized by it and that only a fraction of survivors will develop trauma-related disorders such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Societies that have resources and choose to use them to shore up the infrastructure quickly and effectively will buffer their populations from increasing levels of PTSD. The impact of disasters on family and societal function and intervention priorities are discussed here. Report of the Task Force (2002) of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies is summarized next. The chapter then discusses psychotherapy as a response to disaster. Two approaches to postdisaster psychotherapy that have adapted well in diverse cultural environments are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 2001) and family systems approaches. The therapy process is presented next. Other topics here include family and cultural considerations and group treatment. A case example is presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)
Keywords: Disaster Response Disasters Emotional Trauma Family Systems Therapy Family Therapy Post Disaster Psychotherapy Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Stress Society Therapy Process
Accuracy Verified: Yes
23. Ernst, R. (2011, Juli). Effectiviteit van oogbewegingen, klikjes en geen dubbeltaak bij EMDR in een klinische steekproef [Effectiveness of eye movements, clicks and no double task of EMDR in a clinical sample]. Utrecht: Universiteit Utrecht.
Language: Dutch
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
Een werkgeheugen rekening van Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is op grote schaal ondersteund door laboratoriumonderzoek. Taken die belasting werkgeheugen voldoende Het een traumatische gebeurtenis herinneren terwijl het verminderen van emotionaliteit en levendigheid van traumatische herinneringen. Vaak therapeuten vervangen EMDR-Eye Movements met minder belasten binaurale piept, terwijl de laatste Suggest Sommige onderzoeken zijn inferieur aan oogbewegingen. De huidige studie direct vergelijken oogbewegingen en piept met EMDR in een klinisch monster. In een within-subjects design, 51 patiënten verwezen voor EMDR traumatherapie Hun herinneringen herinnerde tijdens het (a) het maken van gaten horizontale bewegingen, (b) binauraal luisteren naar pieptonen en (c) gericht op een punt (controle). Volgorde van de stimulaties gerandomiseerde WAS Deelnemers en Elke stimulatie over duurde zes minuten. De resultaten toonden aan dat oogbewegingen emotionaliteit en levendigheid van de herinnering reduceert aanzienlijk meer dan de controle, terwijl de emotionaliteit Meer met aanzienlijk minder in de buurt van oogbewegingen dan met pieptonen. Geen significante verschillen in Vermindering van levendigheid en emotionaliteit Beide werden gevonden tussen piept en controle. Hun trauma patiënten gewaardeerd meestal visuele herinneringen, terwijl meer in de buurt van visuele herinneringen significant geassocieerd met een grotere daling van de emotionaliteit en levendigheid met oogbewegingen. De studie ondersteunt Bewijs voor een cumulatief voordeel van oogbewegingen met EMDR. Resultaten worden besproken Deze modaliteit in termen van een specifieke werkgeheugen rekening en klinische implicaties worden besproken.
A working memory account of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has been widely supported by
laboratory research. Tasks that sufficiently tax working memory while recollecting a traumatic event reduce emotionality and
vividness of traumatic memories. EMDR-therapists often substitute eye movements with less taxing binaural beeps, while some
studies suggest the latter are inferior to eye movements. The present study directly compares eye movements and beeps with
EMDR in a clinical sample. In a within-subjects design, 51 patients referred for EMDR therapy recollected their trauma
memories while (a) making horizontal eye movements, (b) listening to binaural beeps and (c) focusing on one point (control).
Sequence of stimulations was randomized across participants and each stimulation lasted for six minutes. Results showed that
eye movements reduce emotionality and vividness of the memory significantly more than control, while emotionality reduced
near significantly more with eye movements than with beeps. No significant differences in reduction of both emotionality and
vividness were found between beeps and control. Patients rated their trauma memories mostly visual, while more visual
memories were near significantly associated with a larger decrease of emotionality and vividness with eye movements. The
study supports evidence for a cumulative benefit of eye movements with EMDR. Results are discussed in terms of a modality
specific working memory account and clinical implications are discussed.
Keywords: Eye Movements Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
24. Nijdam, M., Olff, M., & Gersons, B. (2005, November). Effects of psychotherapy on neuropsychological performance in PTSD. Poster presented at the 21st annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Toronto, ON.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Deficits in concentration and memory are some of the most persistent symptoms
of PTSD. Although many studies have investigated neuropsychological
deficits in different trauma populations with and without PTSD, no study to
our knowledge has looked carefully at improvement of neuropsychological
functioning after psychotherapy. In the present study, we randomly assigned
individuals to either Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
therapy (n=60) or Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEP; n=60). Attention and
memory were investigated before and after treatment using the following
neuropsychological tests: Trail Making Test, STROOP task, Verbal Learning
and Memory Test and Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test. Different versions
of the memory tests were administrated at pre- and postassessment in order
to control for learning effects. Preliminary results of treatment completers
are presented, and the clinical relevance of the findings is discussed.
Keywords: Neurobiological Performance Poster Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PSTD
Accuracy Verified: Yes
25. Kavanaugh, D. J., Freese, S., Andrade, J., & May, J. (2001). Effects of visuospatial tasks on desensitization to emotive memories. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 40(3), 267-280. doi:10.1348/014466501163689.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Objectives. Intrusive memories of extreme trauma can disrupt a stepwise approach
to imaginal exposure. Concurrent tasks that load the visuospatial sketchpad (VSSP)
of working memory reduce the vividness of recalled images. This study tested
whether relief of distress from competing VSSP tasks during imaginal exposure is at
the cost of impaired desensitization.
Design. This study examined repeated exposure to emotive memories using 18
unselected undergraduates and a within-subjects design with three exposure
conditions (Eye Movement, Visual Noise, Exposure Alone) in random, counterbalanced
order.
Method. At baseline, participants recalled positive and negative experiences, and
rated the vividness and emotiveness of each image. A different positive and negative
recollection was then used for each condition. Vividness and emotiveness were rated
after each of eight exposure trials. At a post-exposure session 1 week later,
participants rated each image without any concurrent task.
Results. Consistent with previous research, vividness and distress during imaging
were lower during Eye Movements than in Exposure Alone, with passive visual
interference giving intermediate results. A reduction in emotional responses from
Baseline to Post was of similar size for the three conditions.
Conclusion. Visuospatial tasks may offer a temporary response aid for imaginal
exposure without affecting desensitization.
Keywords: Emotive Memories Eye Movement Imaginal Expsoure Visio-Spatial
Accuracy Verified: Yes
26. Kavanagh, D. J., Freese, S., Andrade, J., & May, J. (2001, September). Effects of visuospatial tasks on desensitization to emotive memories. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 40(3), 267–280. doi:10.1348/014466501163689.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Objective. Intrusive memories of extreme trauma can disrupt a stepwise approach to imaginal exposure. Concurrent tasks that load the visuospatial sketchpad (VSSP) of working memory reduce the vividness of recalled images. This study tested whether relief of distress from competing VSSP tasks during imaginal exposure is at the cost of impaired desensitization. Design. This study examined repeated exposure to emotive memories using 18 unselected undergraduates and a within-subjects design with three exposure conditions (Eye Movement, Visual Noise, Exposure Alone) in random, counterbalanced order. Method. At baseline, participants recalled positive and negative experiences, and rated the vividness and emotiveness of each image. A different positive and negative recollection was then used for each condition. Vividness and emotiveness were rated after each of eight exposure trials. At a post-exposure session 1 week later, participants rated each image without any concurrent task. Results. Consistent with previous research, vividness and distress during imaging were lower during Eye Movements than in Exposure Alone, with passive visual interference giving intermediate results. A reduction in emotional responses from Baseline to Post was of similar size for the three conditions. Conclusion. Visuospatial tasks may offer a temporary response aid for imaginal exposure without affecting desensitization.
Keywords: Emotive Memories Visuospatial Tasks
Accuracy Verified: Yes
27. Ruozzi, A. (2002). Efficacia dell'EMDR nella psicoterapia del PTSD e dei ricordi traumatici [Effectiveness of EMDR psychotherapy on PTSD and traumatic memories]. Retrieved from http://www.psicotraumatologia.com/pubblicazioni_psicotraumatologia_italiane.htm on 10/13/2012.
Language: Italian
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
L’EMDR inoltre progredisce su altri due versanti: da un lato incorpora al suo interno spunti teorici ed applicativi provenienti da diversi paradigmi psicoterapeutici allo scopo di potenziare l’efficacia e la flessibilità (Shapiro, 1995); dall’altro lato, si cerca di applicare il metodo a disturbi che vanno oltre al PTSD. Attualmente nei differenti paesi del mondo le persone che hanno effettuato un training organizzato dall’EMDR Institute sono circa 30.000.In Italia i primi corsi sull’EMDR sono stati condotti nel febbraio 1999 e sono attualmente coordinati dall’Associazione EMDR Italia, a sua volta riconosciuta e patrocinata dalla EMDR Europe (Giannantonio, 2000). L’associazione ha sede a Milano e dispone di un sito internet: www.emdritalia.it.
Il dibattito sull’efficacia di questo metodo è tuttora aperto e sono numerose e contrastanti le ricerche che si sono svolte su questo argomento. La questione ha assunto a tratti i toni dello scontro ideologico e sono subentrati anche problemi di carattere commerciale, un metodo che si propone come più efficace e più rapido nella terapia di alcuni disturbi psicologici non può non essere valutato come un rivale, soprattutto in una realtà come quella del Nord America dove le spese per la psicoterapia sono pagate dalle assicurazioni (Giannantonio, 2000).
L’EMDR è uno dei metodi che vanta il maggior numero di conferme sperimentali nella psicoterapia del PTSD. Questo gli ha consentito nel 1995 di essere considerata “trattamento probabilmente efficace” (valutazione A/B) nella terapia del PTSD dalla Task Force on Psychological Intervention dell’American Psychological Association. Questa valutazione di efficacia è uguagliata solo dallo Stress Inoculation Training e dalle terapie basate sull’esposizione (Chambless et al., 1998).
Gli studi prodotti sull’efficacia dell’EMDR sono numerosi (per una rassegna vedi Giannantonio, 2000), molti sono criticabili perché mal strutturati e con grossi problemi di validità. Esistono tuttavia una serie di studi ben organizzati che si sono dimostrati inattaccabili sul piano metodologico...
Questi studi tuttavia commettono uno o più dei seguenti problemi:
1) Impiegano una o due sedute di EMDR con reduci del Vietnam forse anche a causa dell’equivoco suscitato dalla stessa Shapiro (1989) che riferiva risultati importanti nei confronti del PTSD con una sola seduta di EMDR nel 100% dei soggetti. Una tale concezione dell’EMDR non è quella più attuale e condivisa (Shapiro, 1995).
2) Trattano con l’EMDR solo uno o due episodi traumatici in soggetti che devono essere considerati “pluritraumatizzati” (Shapiro, 1999).
La presente Tesi è divisa in due parti: nella prima di carattere essenzialmente bibliografico ho analizzato la letteratura esistente sull’EMDR e sul PTSD.
Nel secondo capitolo descriverò il Disturbo Post-Traumatico da Stress analizzando i vari approcci teorici al problema del trauma.
Nel terzo capitolo verrà analizzata la teoria dell’EMDR ovvero il modello esplicativo ritenuto più adeguato che fa riferimento alla “elaborazione accelerata dell’informazione”.
Il quarto capitolo, che conclude la prima parte, riporta il protocollo standard di somministrazione dell’EMDR per adulti e adolescenti.
Nella seconda parte viene riportata la descrizione della ricerca che si sta producendo in collaborazione con l’EMDR Italia che si propone di valutare l’efficacia dell’EMDR. Nel quinto capitolo viene descritto il disegno sperimentale. Nel sesto capitolo viene analizzato il metodo di campionamento e i presupposti di validità della ricerca. Nel settimo capitolo sono descritti i test che si è deciso di analizzare nel corso della presente tesi. Infine l’ottavo capitolo si concentra sull’analisi dei primi dati emersi dalla ricerca e sulle prime conclusioni.
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EMDR also progressing on two other fronts: on the one hand it incorporates theoretical insights and applications from different psychotherapeutic paradigms in order to enhance the effectiveness and flexibility (Shapiro, 1995), on the other hand, it tries to apply the method to problems that go beyond PTSD.
Currently in different countries of the world, people who have a training organized dall'EMDR Institute 30.000.In Italy are about the first courses on EMDR have been conducted in February 1999 and is currently coordinated by the Association EMDR Italy, in turn recognized and sponsored by the EMDR Europe (Giannantonio, 2000). The association is based in Milan and has a website: www.emdritalia.it.
The debate on the effectiveness of this method is still open and they are many and conflicting research that took place on this topic. The issue has assumed at times the tone of the ideological battle and were replaced also problems of a commercial nature, a method is proposed as a more effective and faster in the treatment of certain psychological disorders can not be assessed as a rival, especially in a situation such as North America where the cost of psychotherapy are paid by insurance (Giannantonio, 2000).
EMDR is one of the methods which has the highest number of experimental confirmation in psychotherapy for PTSD. This enabled him in 1995 to be considered "probably efficacious treatment" (rated A / B) in the treatment of PTSD by the Task Force on Psychological Intervention of the American Psychological Association. This assessment of effectiveness is equaled only by the stress inoculation training and exposure-based therapies (Chambless et al., 1998).
Studies on the effectiveness of EMDR are numerous products (for review see Giannantonio, 2000), many are questionable because poorly structured and serious problems of validity. There are however a number of well-organized studies that have proven resistant in terms of methodology:
......
These studies, however, have committed one or more of the following problems:
1) They use one or two sessions of EMDR with Vietnam veterans possibly because of misunderstanding caused by the same Shapiro (1989) who reported significant results against PTSD with a single session of EMDR in 100% of subjects. Such a conception of EMDR is not the most current and shared (Shapiro, 1995).
2) They deal with EMDR only one or two traumatic events in people who should be considered "pluritraumatizzati" (Shapiro, 1999).
This thesis is divided into two parts: the first character essentially bibliographic I analyzed the existing literature on EMDR and PTSD.
In the second chapter I will describe the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder analyzing the various theoretical approaches to the problem of trauma.
In the third chapter we will analyze the theory of EMDR or the explanatory model deemed more appropriate that refers to the "accelerated processing of information."
The fourth chapter, which concludes the first part shows the standard protocol of administration of EMDR for adults and adolescents.
In the second part shows the description of the research that is being produced in collaboration with the EMDR Italy that aims to assess the effectiveness of EMDR. In the fifth chapter describes the experimental design. In the sixth chapter analyzes the sampling method and the conditions for validity of the research. In the seventh chapter describes the tests it was decided to analyze the course of this thesis. Finally, the eighth chapter will focus on early evidence from research and initial findings.
Keywords: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD
Accuracy Verified: Yes
28. Schubert, S. (2010, July). The efficacy and psychobiological correlates of dual-attention task. Presentation at the 1st EMDR Asia Conference, Bali, Indonesia.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
The study being presented aimed to investigate the psycho physiological correlates and the effectiveness of different dualattention
tasks used during eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). Sixty-two non-clinical participants
with negative autobiographical memories received a single EMDR session that involved fixed or varied rate eye movements,
or exposure without eye movements. Subjective units of distress and vividness of the memory were recorded at pretreatment,
post-treatment, and 1 week follow-up. EMDR-with eye movements led to greater reduction in distress (SUDs)
than EMDR-without eye movements. Psycho physiological measures were continuously recorded throughout each session.
Heart rate decreased significantly when eye movements began; skin conductance decreased during eye movement sets;
heart rate variability and respiration rate increased significantly as eye movements continued; and orienting responses were
more frequent in the eye movement than no-eye movement condition at the start of exposure. These findings indicate that
eye movements in EMDR are beneficial, and are coupled with distinct psycho physiological changes that may aid in the
processing of negative memories. Implications for clinical practice, directions for future research, and the importance of
building bridges between East & West whilst conducting EMDR research will also be discussed.
Keywords: Dual Attention Psychophysiological Correlates
Accuracy Verified: Yes
29. Renfrey, G. (1993). The efficacy of eye movement desensitization in the treatment of trauma related imagery and cognitions: A partial dismantling procedure. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo MI. AAT 9412220.
Language: English
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
This study investigated the effects of eye movement desensitization (EMD) on post-traumatic sequelae, and attempted a partial dismantling of the procedure to determine the necessity of EMD's characteristic eye movements. 23 persons participated in three groups: (1) those receiving standard EMD, (2) those receiving a variant of EMD in which eye movements were engendered through a light tracking task, and (3) those receiving a variant of EMD in which fixed visual attention replaced eye movements. All participants had experienced traumata as defined by the DSM-III-R and were having intrusive symptoms of PTSD at pre-treatment. All but two met full DSM-III-R criteria for PTSD. Each received two to six treatment sessions.Dependent variables included heart rate changes, subjective units of distress ratings, validity of both initial and targeted trauma-related cognitions during trauma-related imagery, overall frequency and intensity scores on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, anxiety and depression T-scores on the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R), and scores on the Impact of Events Scale. Assessments were conducted at pre- and post-treatment and at a one- to three-month follow-up. All three interventions produced significant, positive changes in all dependant measures between pre- and post-treatments. Further, these changes were maintained at follow-up. No significant differences between groups were observed. These changes were of comparable magnitude to those reported elsewhere, but were brought about through a greater number of treatment sessions. It was concluded that EMD does bring about fairly rapid therapeutic changes in those post-traumatic sequelae measured, though not as efficiently as most previous reports have suggested. Further, it was concluded that the eye movements peculiar to EMD are not a necessary component of the procedure. The similarities and differences between the present findings and previous reports are discussed, as are the limitations and implications of the present study. Recommendations for future work are made. [Author Abstract]
Keywords: Clinical Trial Partial Dismantling Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Treatment Effectiveness
Accuracy Verified: Yes
30. Wachtel, P. (1999, June). EMDR and psychoanalysis: An intriguing interface. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Las Vegas, NV.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Participants will learn: 1) the key differences in the ways that psychoanalytic and cognitive-behavioral therapists view the objectives of therapy and understand what is troubling the patient or client; 2) the key differences in the ways that psychoanalytic and cognitive-behavioral therapists approach the task of evaluating the effectiveness of the therapy they do; 3) the ways that EMDR has incorporated a cognitive-behavioral epistemology and assumption set; 4) the ways that introducing some of the perspectives of the psychoanalytic approach can enrich and add to the repertoire of EMDR; and 5) the ways that introducing aspects of EMDR can enrich and add to the repertoire of psychoanalytic therapists.
Keywords: Psychoanalysis
Accuracy Verified: Yes
31. EMDR Dissociation Task Force. (1994). EMDR Dissociation Task Force position paper. EMDR Institute, Pacific Grove, CA.
Language: English
Format: Publication
Abstract:
Ths paper will offer general guidelines in the application of EMDR with the
dissociative disorders, with paramount concern for client day. The intended audience is
the established clinician who is new to the diagnosis and treatment of dissociative
disorders. The paper is not intended to define standards of care or specific training
requirements or cenfication guidelines. Further, it is not intended to supercede expert
clinical judgment, or training in dissociative disorders or hypnosis.
Keywords: Dissociation Position Paper Task Force
Accuracy Verified: Yes
32. Kapoula, Z. (2010, April). EMDR effects on pursuit eye movements. In Research. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Hamburg, Germany.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
This study aimed to objectivize the quality of smooth pursuit eye movements in a standard laboratory task before and after Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) session. EMDR was applied on subject’s autobiographic worries causing moderate distress. The EMDR session was complete in 5 out of 7 cases; distress measured by SUDS (Subjective Units of Disturbance scale) decreased to near zero value. Smooth pursuit eye movement was recorded by Eyelink II video system before and after EMDR. For these five subjects, pursuit eye movement improved after EMDR session, namely the number of CUS (Catch-up saccades) decreased and reciprocally, the gain of the smooth components of the pursuit increased. Such improvement of the smoothness of the pursuit presumably reflects better employment of visual attention needed to follow the target accurately. Perhaps EMDR reducing distress activates a cholinergic effect known to improve ocular pursuit. This approach is novel, Eye movement semiology is known to be a great tool for exploring brain function and plasticity. This preliminary study might be a starting point for further studies of other types of eye movements bringing together neuroscience and psychotherapy.
Learning objectives: Learn the physiologic correlates of EMDR. During EMDR practice observation of the quality of eye movement (smooth and saccadic) can provide to the practitioner valuable, non-verbal feedback.
EMDR can stimulate different types of research, including laboratory research.
Keywords: Eye Movements Research Symposium
Accuracy Verified: Yes
33. Kapoula, Z., Yang, Q., Bonnet, A., Bourtoire, P., & Sandretto, J. (2010, May). EMDR effects on pursuit eye movements. PLoS ONE, 5(5), 1-11, e10762. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010762.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
This study aimed to objectivize the quality of smooth pursuit eye movements in a standard laboratory task before and after an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) session run on seven healthy volunteers. EMDR was applied on autobiographic worries causing moderate distress. The EMDR session was complete in 5 out of the 7 cases; distress measured by SUDS (Subjective Units of Discomfort Scale) decreased to a near zero value. Smooth pursuit eye movements were recorded by an Eyelink II video system before and after EMDR. For the five complete sessions, pursuit eye movement improved after their EMDR session. Notably, the number of saccade intrusions—catch-up saccades (CUS)—decreased and, reciprocally, there was an increase in the smooth components of the pursuit. Such an increase in the smoothness of the pursuit presumably reflects an improvement in the use of visual attention needed to follow the target accurately. Perhaps EMDR reduces distress thereby activating a cholinergic effect known to improve ocular pursuit.
Keywords: Eye Movements Mechanism of Action
Accuracy Verified: Yes
34. Hoeven, S. B. (2010, Juli ). EMDR en de werkgeheugentheorie: Treden er spiegelbeeldige effecten op bij oogbewegingen en imaginatie? [EMDR and the working memory theory: Are there mirror-image effects of eye movements and imagination?]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.
Language: Dutch
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
De werking van „Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing‟ (EMDR) is lange tijd onbekend gebleven, maar inmiddels zijn meerdere theorieën beschikbaar om de effecten te verklaren. De werkgeheugentheorie lijkt momenteel de theorie met de meeste wetenschappelijke ondersteuning. Het doel van het huidige onderzoek was het kritisch toetsen van de werkgeheugentheorie door het werkgeheugen te belasten met oogbewegingen tijdens het ophalen van een herinnering of maximale belasting door imaginatie en hyperconcentratie op de herinnering. Verwacht werd dat 1) oogbewegingen tijdens ophalen de herinneringen minder emotioneel, helder, compleet en waarheidsgetrouw maakt, terwijl 2) imaginatie van de herinnering resulteert in spiegelbeeldige effecten. In totaal participeerden 52 studenten verdeeld over twee experimenten, waarbij zij oogbewegingen en imaginatie aangeboden kregen tijdens het ophalen van een herinnering. Zowel oogbewegingen als imaginatie belastten het werkgeheugen in een reactietijdentaak. Imaginatie leidde tot meer complete en waarheidsgetrouwe herinneringen, terwijl voor oogbewegingen geen significante resultaten werden gevonden. Deze opmerkelijke resultaten zouden verklaard kunnen worden door de aard van de gebruikte herinneringen en de lage power van het onderzoek. De werkgeheugentheorie blijft de theorie met de meeste wetenschappelijke ondersteuning.
It has been long unknown what the mechanisms are behind Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing‟ (EMDR), meanwhile there are several theories available to explain its effects. The workingmemory (WM) account seems to be a theory with most scientific support. The effort of the present study was to critically test the WM account by taxing WM with eye movements during recall or by maximum taxation with imagination of and concentration on the memory. Hypotheses were 1) eye movements during recall reduces the emotionality, vividness, completeness and veracity of the memory, while 2) imagination increases emotionality, vividness, completeness and veracity of the memory. In total participated 52 students divided in two experiments, in a within-subjects design. Both eye movements and imagination taxed WM in a reaction time task. Imagination increased the completeness and veracity of the memories, while there were no significant results in the eye movements condition. These remarkable results could be explained by the nature of the memories that were used in the experiments and low statistical power of the experiments. The WM account remains a theory with most scientific support.
Keywords: Imagination Mirror-Image Effects
Accuracy Verified: Yes
35. 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
36. Shapiro, F. (2012, September). EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs: Building sustainable mental health resources worldwide. ISTSS Traumatic StressPoints, 26(5), 2-3.
Language: English
Format: Newsletter
Abstract:
EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs (HAP) began in 1995 as a response to the Oklahoma City bombing. An FBI agent who had previously received EMDR therapy called requesting help, stating that the local mental health professionals were overwhelmed by the task. After a needs assessment, approximately 100 volunteer clinicians trained in EMDR therapy were rotated in to provide pro bono treatment for the bombing victims and front-line responders. A program evaluation indicated that over 80 percent achieved beneficial treatment effects within three sessions, and, in the same year, a study using a delayed treatment control group also showed positive results (Wilson, Becker & Tinker, 1995). Subsequently, free trainings in EMDR therapy were offered and provided to 290 clinicians in collaboration with local agencies. The feedback was so positive that a 501(c)3 organization was soon established. [Excerpt]
Keywords: EMDR-HAP
Accuracy Verified: Yes
37. Mehrotra, S. (2013, June). EMDR in Asia: Needs, challenges and way ahead. Keynote presented at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Geneva, Switzerland.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
This paper tries to highlight the milestones of some of the Asian EMDR Associations and the evolution of EMDR Asia and the practices and challenges faced. Some of the issues are related to the parity of trainees’ qualifications with those from USA, Europe and within Asia. Similarly it impacts upon the training standards. Attention is also drawn to the cultural, language and economical diversity. The task ahead is to reinforce the uniformity of EMDR practice by developing accreditation procedures, standardization, training standards, contents and duration, selection criteria and requirements for the trainees and trainers, certification process, curriculum, linkages with associations, methods of supervision and consultation. UN agencies have a huge presence in Asia for developmental and relief work. UN agencies engaged in a wide range of the health spectrum could make a huge difference if they promoted the efficacy of EMDR for effective management of psychological health. This would include the use of EMDR not only for manmade and natural disasters, but also for other chronic and life threatening illnesses e.g. HIV, cancer and other psycho-social issues related to mental health.
Keywords: Asia Diversity Keynote
Accuracy Verified: Yes
38. Lovett, J. (2008, September). EMDR practice guidelines - EMDR with adults. Colorado Health Networks Clinical Guidelines, III(303), 1-4.
Language: English
Format: Publication
Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing [EMDR] (Shapiro, 1989) is a
treatment technique during which accelerated processing of traumatic memory is
facilitated through the shifting of attention between the left and right hemispheres of the
brain. The methods utilized to facilitate the rapid switching of attention include the use
of tapping, eye movement or sound.
Keywords: Adults Clinical Guidelines Reviewed
Accuracy Verified: Yes
39. Greenwald, R. (2007, May). EMDR practice guidelines: EMDR with children. Unknown.
Language: English
Format: Other
Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing [EMDR] (Shapiro, 1989) is a
treatment technique during which accelerated processing of traumatic memory is
facilitated through the shifting of attention between the left and right hemispheres of the
brain. The methods utilized to facilitate the rapid switching of attention include the use
of tapping, eye movement or sound. EMDR has also been beneficial in treating other
disorders and conditions, i.e. grief and loss, low self esteem, anger management,
depression etc. Its use should not be limited to only trauma or anxiety disorders. The
methods utilized to facilitate the rapid switching of attention include the use of tapping,
eye movement or sound.
Keywords: Children Practice Guidelines
Accuracy Verified: Yes
40. Landin-Romero, R., Novo, P., Vicens, V., McKenna, P. J., Santed, A., Pomarol-Clotet, E., Salgado-Pineda, P., Shapiro. F., & Amann, B. L. (2013, March). EMDR therapy modulates the default mode network in a subsyndromal, traumatized bipolar patient. Neuropsychobiology, 67(3), 181-184. doi:10.1159/000346654.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Background: Some functional imaging abnormalities found in bipolar disorder are state related, whereas others persist into euthymia. It is uncertain to what extent these latter changes may reflect continuing subsyndromal affective fluctuations and whether those can be modulated by therapeutic interventions. Method: We report functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings during performance of the n-back working memory task in a bipolar patient who showed a marked improvement in subsyndromal affective symptoms after receiving eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in the context of a clinical trial. Results: The patient's clinical improvement was accompanied by marked changes in functional imaging, as compared to 30 healthy subjects. fMRI changes were noted particularly in deactivation, with failure of deactivation in the medial frontal cortex partially normalizing after treatment. Conclusions: This case supports the potential therapeutic overall benefit of EMDR in traumatized bipolar patients and suggests a possible neurobiological mechanism of action: normalization of default mode network dysfunction.
Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Keywords: Bipolar Disorder Subsyndromal Affective Symptoms
Accuracy Verified: Yes
41. Landin-Romero, R., Novo, P., Vicens, V., McKenna, P. J., Santed, A., Pomarol-Clotet, E., Salgado-Pineda, P., Shapiro. F., & Amann, B. L. (2013, March). EMDR therapy modulates the default mode network in a subsyndromal, traumatized bipolar patient. Neuropsychobiology, 67(3), 181-184. doi:10.1159/000346654.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Background: Some functional imaging abnormalities found in bipolar disorder are state related, whereas others persist into euthymia. It is uncertain to what extent these latter changes may reflect continuing subsyndromal affective fluctuations and whether those can be modulated by therapeutic interventions. Method: We report functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings during performance of the n-back working memory task in a bipolar patient who showed a marked improvement in subsyndromal affective symptoms after receiving eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in the context of a clinical trial. Results: The patient's clinical improvement was accompanied by marked changes in functional imaging, as compared to 30 healthy subjects. fMRI changes were noted particularly in deactivation, with failure of deactivation in the medial frontal cortex partially normalizing after treatment. Conclusions: This case supports the potential therapeutic overall benefit of EMDR in traumatized bipolar patients and suggests a possible neurobiological mechanism of action: normalization of default mode network dysfunction.
Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Keywords: Bipolar Disorder Subsyndromal Affective Symptoms
Accuracy Verified: Yes
42. Landin-Romero, R., Novo, P., Vicens, V., McKenna, P. J., Santed, A., Pomarol-Clotet, E., Salgado-Pineda, P., Shapiro. F., & Amann, B. L. (2013, March). EMDR therapy modulates the default mode network in a subsyndromal, traumatized bipolar patient. Neuropsychobiology, 67(3), 181-184. doi:10.1159/000346654.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Background: Some functional imaging abnormalities found in bipolar disorder are state related, whereas others persist into euthymia. It is uncertain to what extent these latter changes may reflect continuing subsyndromal affective fluctuations and whether those can be modulated by therapeutic interventions. Method: We report functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings during performance of the n-back working memory task in a bipolar patient who showed a marked improvement in subsyndromal affective symptoms after receiving eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in the context of a clinical trial. Results: The patient's clinical improvement was accompanied by marked changes in functional imaging, as compared to 30 healthy subjects. fMRI changes were noted particularly in deactivation, with failure of deactivation in the medial frontal cortex partially normalizing after treatment. Conclusions: This case supports the potential therapeutic overall benefit of EMDR in traumatized bipolar patients and suggests a possible neurobiological mechanism of action: normalization of default mode network dysfunction.
Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Keywords: Bipolar Disorder Subsyndromal Affective Symptoms
Accuracy Verified: Yes
43. Seubert, A. (2005). EMDR with clients with mental disability. In R. Shapiro (Ed.), EMDR solutions: Pathways to healing (pp. 293-311). New York: W W Norton & Co.
Language: English
Format: Book Section
Abstract:
Until recent times those with the dual diagnosis of mental retardation and mental health issues were deemed inappropriate candidates for counseling or psychotherapy. Dysfunctional behaviors and emotional displays generated by mood disorders, grief, or trauma were often written off as part of the mental disability, in what has come to be known as diagnostic overshadowing. Time, experience, and compassion have changed this. Counseling and psychotherapy have been shown to be "feasible and successful" with this population. Most effective are approaches that utilize and integrate concrete, experiential, and behavioral aspects of the treatment. The task and responsibility of the therapist is to follow the client's internal and interpersonal process as it reveals itself and find the ways, means, and language to facilitate this organic movement toward well-being. [Text, p. 293] [Pilots]
Keywords: Mentally Retarded Psychotherapeutic Processes Stressors Survivors
Accuracy Verified: Yes
44. Hornsveld, H. & van den Hout, M. A. (2010, June). EMDR working mechanisms research. In Research. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Hamburg, Germany.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
It has repeatedly been shown that eye movements during retrieval of negative memories reduce their emotionality. In this presentation we will present a series of analogue studies (with undergraduate students) which further investigates the role of eye movements and other dual tasks.
Study 1 shows that the positive findings for eye movements could be replicated in subjects with negative memories of experiences of loss. This provides an empirical basis for the suggestion that EMDR can be used in the treatment of complicated grief.
Study 2 examined whether another secondary task that taxes working memory has beneficial effects, and whether the stronger the taxing, the stronger the reductions in vividness adversity.
Study 3 shows that eye movements do tax working memory but right-left auditory stimulation does not.
Study 4 compared eye movements (EM), auditory bilateral stimulation (ABS) and no stimulation. Results show EM do better (i.e, larger decreases in emotionality) than ABS and ABS do better than no stimulation.
Study 5 is a replication of study 4 in PTSS patients. EM will be compared to ABS and no stimulation. Data are expected to be available in June 2010.
Objective: Implications for a working-memory explanation of EMDR and for clinical practice will be discussed.
Keywords: Mechanism of Action Research Symposium
Accuracy Verified: Yes
45. Cuijpers, A. (2012). EMDR: Experimentele studie naar de werkgeheugentheorie en introductie van de afleidingstheorie [EMDR: Experimental study of the working memory theory and introduction of the distraction theory]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.
Language: Dutch
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
Eye Movement and Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) is al jaren een veelgebruikte
behandelmethode voor Post-traumatische Stresstoornis (PTSS). In voorgaande
onderzoeken werd een verklaringsmechanisme voor het effect van EMDR aangetoond, de
werkgeheugentheorie. Deze studies lieten zien dat de kenmerkende oogbewegingen (EM)
van EMDR als secundaire taak, tijdens het ophalen van de negatieve herinnering, zorgen
voor een afname van emotionaliteit en levendigheid. Dit doordat beide taken competeren
voor het werkgeheugen welke slechts een beperkte capaciteit heeft. Deze studie
onderzoekt een nieuwe theorie, de afleidingstheorie, welk gebruik maakt van visuele ruis
(VN) als alternatieve secundaire taak. Huidig onderzoek richt zich op de vraag of EMDR
verklaard kan worden volgens de actieve werkgeheugen belasting van de EM-taak of
volgens de passieve belasting van de VN-taak. Om beide condities te vergelijken werd
middels een pilot de mate van cognitieve belasting gelijk gemaakt. Aan deze pilot namen
10 participanten deel. Uit de resultaten bleek dat een vertraagde cyclus van 8 seconde
voor een gelijke belasting zorgde voor alle condities.
In totaal namen er 30 participanten aan dit onderzoek deel. Het eerste deel van het
onderzoek bestond uit een reactietijdtijdtaak (RT) bestaande uit RT alleen, RT+EM en
RT+VN. Het tweede deel bestond uit het ophalen van de herinnering alleen,
herinneren+EM en herinneren+VN. Tijdens het tweede deel werd tevens bij iedere meting
de emotionaliteit en levendigheid van de herinnering gemeten. De werkgeheugentheorie
voorspelt dat (a) na de interventie de mate van levendigheid en emotionaliteit bij
herinneren + EM significant lager zal zijn voor de interventie en dat (b) de gemiddelde
daling van de score van herinneren + EM in vergelijking met de andere twee condities
groter zal zijn. De afleidingstheorie voorspelt dat (a) na de interventie de mate van
levendigheid en emotionaliteit bij herinneren + VN significant lager zal zijn voor de
interventie en dat (b) het gevonden effect groter is dan herinneren alleen en gelijk aan
herinneren + EM.
Uit de resultaten blijkt dat beide hypothesen niet bevestigd kunnen worden. Er is te zien
dat visuele ruis in vergelijking met de voor- en nameting, tegen de verwachting in, bij
zowel emotionaliteit als levendigheid voor een grotere daling van de scores zorgt in
vergelijking met oogbewegingen en de controleconditie. Wanneer er werd gekeken naar de
tussenmetingen was er te zien dat de scores van visuele ruis (oogbewegingen +
levendigheid) in het midden lagen tussen herinneren alleen en oogbewegingen in.
Verklaringen en aanbevelingen worden besproken.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) has been a commonly used method of treatment for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In previous studies, an explanation mechanism for the effect of EMDR demonstrated the working memory theory. These studies showed that the characteristic eye movements (EM) of EMDR as a secondary task during retrieval of negative memories, ensuring a reduction of emotionality and vividness. This is because both tasks compete for the main memory to which only has a limited capacity. This study examines a new theory, the theory derivation, which uses visual noise (UN) as alternative secondary task. Current research focuses on the question whether EMDR can be explained by the active working memory load of the EM task or by the passive load of the UN mission. In order to compare both conditions was a pilot held the degree of cognitive load equal. 10 participants in this pilot took part. The results showed that a delayed cycle of 8 seconds for an equal load caused all conditions. In total there are 30 participants in this study. The first part of the study consisted of a reaction time task (RT) consisting of RT alone, RT + RT + EM and UN. The second part consisted of retrieving the memory only, recall + EM and recall + UN. During the second part was also in each measurement the emotionality and vividness of the memory were measured. The working memory theory predicts that (a) after the intervention the degree of vividness and emotionality in recall + EM significantly lower for the intervention and (b) the average decrease of the score of recall + EM compared to the other two conditions greater will be. The derivation theory predicts that (a) after the intervention the degree of vividness and emotionality in recall + UN significantly lower for the intervention and (b) the observed effect is greater than and equal to only remember remind + EM. The results show that both hypotheses can not be confirmed. It can be seen that visual noise in comparison with the pre-and post-test, contrary to expectation, both emotionality and vividness to a larger decrease in the scores causes compared with eye movements and the control condition. When it was examined between the measurements was to see that the scores of visual noise (eye movements + vividness) in the middle layer between recall and eye movements only in. Statements and recommendations are discussed.
Keywords: Distraction Memory Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD
Accuracy Verified: Yes
46. van den Hout, M. A., Engelhard, I. M., Rijkeboer, M. M., Koekebakker, J., Hornsveld, H., Leer, A., Toffolo, M. B. J., & Akse, N. (2011, February). EMDR: Eye movements superior to beeps in taxing working memory and reducing vividness of recollections. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49(2), 92-98. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.11.003.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is effectively treated with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) with patients making eye movements during recall of traumatic memories. Many therapists have replaced eye movements with bilateral beeps, but there are no data on the effects of beeps. Experimental studies suggest that eye movements may be beneficial because they tax working memory, especially the central executive component, but the presence/degree of taxation has not been assessed directly. Using discrimination Reaction Time (RT) tasks, we found that eye movements slow down RTs to auditive cues (experiment I), but binaural beeps do not slow down RTs to visual cues (experiment II). In an arguably more sensitive “Random Interval Repetition” task using tactile stimulation, working memory taxation of beeps and eye movements were directly compared. RTs slowed down during beeps, but the effects were much stronger for eye movements (experiment III). The same pattern was observed in a memory experiment with healthy volunteers (experiment IV): vividness of negative memories was reduced after both beeps and eye movements, but effects were larger for eye movements. Findings support a working memory account of EMDR and suggest that effects of beeps on negative memories are inferior to those of eye movements.
Keywords: Eye Movements Recollection Vividness Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
47. Beer, R., Ten Broeke, E., Hornsveld, H., de Jongh, A., Meijer, S., se Roos, C., & Spierings, J. (2011). EMDR: Oogbewegingen of een andere duale taak? [EMDR: Eye movements or any other dual task?]. [2 pages] Retrieved from http://www.emdr.nl/acrobat/EMDR%20Richtlijnen%20door%20trainers%202011DEF.pdf on 8/28/2012.
Language: Dutch
Format: Other
Abstract:
Naar aanleiding van alle nieuwe onderzoeksresultaten over EMDR en de rol van het werkgeheugen (zie
referentielijst), hebben de Nederlandse EMDR trainers (i.o.) zich gebogen over de consequenties van deze
resultaten voor de praktijk. Ze zijn daarbij tot de volgende richtlijnen gekomen, die ook vanaf heden
gedoceerd worden in de EMDR opleidingen.
Following the latest research on EMDR and the role of working memory (see
reference), the Dutch EMDR trainers (io) examined the consequences of this
results for the practice. They have reached the following guidelines come also from today
taught in the EMDR training.
Keywords: Eye Movements Dual Attention Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
48. Blok, T. P., Casteleijn, W. N., Winkler, T. J., & Hakimi, S. (2012). EMDR: Werkgeheugenbelasting bij negatief-emotionele herinneringen [EMDR: Working memory load on negative emotional memories]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.
Language: Dutch
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
Eye Movement Deprocessing and Recall (EMDR) is een therapievorm waarbij met het maken van oogbewegingen getracht wordt traumatische herinneringen te verwerken. Hoewel effectief, is de werking van EMDR nog onduidelijk. Uit eerder onderzoek is gebleken dat het ophalen van neutrale herinneringen in combinatie met oogbewegingen niet, maar negatief emotionele herinnering wel leiden tot een afname van emotionaliteit en levendigheid. Dit zou verklaard kunnen worden doordat het ophalen van een emotionele herinnering meer werkgeheugencapaciteit kost dan het ophalen van een neutrale herinnering. Deze hypothese is onderzocht door bij 23 participanten een reactietijd taak af te nemen waarbij zij geen, een negatieve en een neutrale herinnering ophaalden. Zoals verwacht bleek dat het ophalen van negatieve herinneringen in combinatie met de reactietijdtaak leidde tot een significant langere reactietijd dan in de overige twee condities.
Eye Movement Deprocessing and Recall (EMDR) is a form of therapy that making eye movements attempt traumatic memories. Although effective, the operation of EMDR still unclear. Previous research has shown that the retrieval of neutral memories in combination with eye movements, but negative emotional memory or cause a decrease in emotionality and vividness. This could be explained by the retrieval of emotional memories more working memory consuming than getting a neutral reminder. This hypothesis was examined by a reaction time task in 23 participants to take off where they do not, a negative and a neutral memory fetched. As expected, it was found that the retrieval of negative memories in conjunction with the reaction time task resulted in a significantly longer reaction time than in the other two conditions.
Keywords: Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
49. EPPD Task Group (2003, December). The EPPD Task Group introduced EMDRIA’s definition of EMDR. EMDRIA Newsletter, 8(4), 14-15.
Language: English
Format: Newsletter
Abstract:
The EMDRIA Board of Directors has charged the Educational Program and Professional Development (EPPD) Task Group with the task of
developing policies for all educational programs and professional development. These umbrella policies will provide consistency and creditability
throughout all programs to maintain the integrity of EMDR in training, practice, and research. All EMDRIA programs and products will be
aligned with the existing and emerging knowledge and scientific research on EMDR. To that end, the EPPD Task Group has completed a twotiered
definition of EMDR, which is rooted in the current scientific research on EMDR. The Tier One definition is designed for the general
public. The Tier Two definition is for EMDRIA use, to guide the development of all programs and products throughout the organization. The
Tier Two definition is also for external distribution and to be the basis for explaining EMDR to the public and other professionals. As the
foundation, this definition will direct EMDRIA in every aspect of the organization from training and continuing education programs in EMDR,
standards of practice, research, publications, and EMDRIA Member support programs, such as Clinician Support and Regional Coordinating
programs.
The EPPD Task Group introduces EMDRIA’s Definition of EMDR.
Keywords: Definition of EMDR
Accuracy Verified: Yes
50. de Bok, D., & van Daalen, M. (2010, June). Exploring the mechanism underlying the working memory account of EMDR: The effect of fading in and fading out of negative and arousing images on emotionality, vividness, vividness, completeness and detail recall of traumatic memories. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.
Language: English
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychological intervention for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Currently, the working memory account gives the best explanation for the functionality of EMDR. This account states that conducting a dual task, mostly horizontal eye movements, while retrieving a traumatic memory will make this memory less emotional, vivid and complete. It was hypothesized that the fading in and/or fading out of traumatic images are in itself causally contributing to the reduced emotionality, vividness and completeness of the recalled memories. This experimental study (N=27) examined the fading in (the image starts vague and gets more clear) and fading out (the image starts clear and gets more vague) of traumatic images as an underlying mechanism of the working memory account. By using a within-subject design, participants engaged in three conditions (fading in, fading out and control) in which they had to rate their memories on emotionality, vividness and completeness. A detail recall test was also conducted for all conditions. No significant differences were found between the three conditions on emotionality, vividness and completeness. However, a trend was found indicating that fewer details were recalled in the fading out condition. Based on these results, the hypothesis that fading in or fading out will result in diminishing emotionality, vividness and completeness was not confirmed. Shortcomings of the experiment and implications for future research are addressed
Keywords: Fading in Fading out Traumatic Image Working Memory Account
Accuracy Verified: Yes
51. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2010, October). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Retrieved from http://nrepp.samhsa.gov/ViewIntervention.aspx?id=199 on 3/25/2011.
Language: English
Format: Other
Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a one-on-one form of psychotherapy that is designed to reduce trauma-related stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to improve overall mental health functioning. Treatment is provided by an EMDR therapist, who first reviews the client's history and assesses the client's readiness for EMDR. During the preparation phase, the therapist works with the client to identify a positive memory associated with feelings of safety or calm that can be used if psychological distress associated with the traumatic memory is triggered. The target traumatic memory for the treatment session is accessed with attention to image, negative belief, and body sensations. Repetitive 30-second dual-attention exercises are conducted in which the client attends to a motor task while focusing on the target traumatic memory and then on any related negative thoughts, associations, and body sensations. The most common motor task used in EMDR is side-to-side eye movements that follow the therapist's finger; however, alternating hand tapping or auditory tones delivered through headphones can be used. The exercises are repeated until the client reports no emotional distress. The EMDR therapist then asks the client to think of a preferred positive belief regarding the incident and to focus on this positive belief while continuing with the exercises. The exercises end when the client reports with confidence comfortable feelings and a positive sense of self when recalling the target trauma. The therapist and client review the client's progress and discuss scenarios or contexts that might trigger psychological distress. These triggers and positive images for appropriate future action are also targeted and processed. In addition, the therapist asks the client to keep a journal, noting any material related to the traumatic memory, and to focus on the previously identified positive safe or calm memory whenever psychological distress associated with the traumatic memory is triggered.
The underlying mechanism for how this process works to reduce trauma-related stress, anxiety, and depression is unknown. Researchers have theorized that the positive effect is due to adaptive information processing, the theoretical model behind EMDR. Through adaptive information processing, the dual-attention exercises disrupt the client's stored memory of the trauma to allow for an elimination of negative beliefs, emotions, and somatic symptoms associated with the memory as it connects with more adaptive information stored in the memory networks. Once recall of the trauma no longer elicits negative beliefs, emotions, or somatic symptoms and the memory simultaneously shifts to a more adaptive set of beliefs, emotions, and somatic responses, it is stored again, overwriting the original memory of the trauma.
EMDR is typically delivered in 60- to 90-minute sessions, although shorter sessions have been used successfully. The number of sessions varies with the complexity of the trauma being treated. For an isolated, single traumatic event, one to three sessions may be sufficient for treatment. However, when the trauma involves repeated traumatic events, such as combat trauma and physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, many more sessions may be needed for comprehensive treatment.
Keywords: Intervention Summary
Accuracy Verified: Yes
52. Waters, L. (1997, Spring). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment for combat PTSD: Commentary. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 34(1), 99. doi:10.1037/h0087777 .
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Comments on the article by J. G. Carlson et al (see record 84-01737) regarding the use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment (EMDR) to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Vietnam veterans. The author suggests that EMDR seems simplistic and lacks face validity altogether. L. Waters proposes that EMDR works because of resolute perception, a process defined by F. J. Hanna and K. Puhakka (1991) as a deliberate sustained focus of attention on an identified problem with the goal of achieving clarity, at a point when the client is ready and willing to confront and perceive. Waters suggest that a way to test whether or not EMDR works because of resolute perception would be to assign a similar group of clients to a totally different task (e.g., drawing straight lines) while giving them the same instructions as are given in EMDR regarding their memories, thoughts, and desirable cognitions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
Keywords: Commentary Combat Experience Comment Military Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Reply Veterans Vietnam War Veterans
Accuracy Verified: Yes
53. 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
54. Renfrey, G., & Spates, C. R. (1994, September). Eye movement desensitization: A partial dismantling study. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 25(3), 231-239. doi:10.1016/0005-7916(94)90023-X.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
23 PTSD subjects were exposed to either: (1) standard eye movement desensitization (EMD), (2) a variant of EMD in which eye movements were engendered through a light tracking task, or (3) a variant of EMD in which fixed visual attention replaced eye movements. All three interventions produced significant positive changes in all dependent measures and these changes were maintained at follow-up. No significant differences between groups were observed. It was concluded that the eye movements peculiar to EMD are not essential to treatment outcome. The implications of the present findings and previous reports are discussed and recommendations for future research provided. [Author Summary]
Keywords: Adults Americans Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Stressors Survivors Treatment Effectiveness
Accuracy Verified: Yes
55. Engelhard, I., van den Hout, M. A., Janssen, W. C., & van der Beek, J. (2010, May). Eye movements reduce vividness and emotionality of “flashforwards”. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 48(5), 442-447. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.01.003.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Earlier studies have shown that eye movements during retrieval of disturbing images about past events reduce their vividness and emotionality, which may be due to both tasks competing for working memory resources. This study examined whether eye movements reduce vividness and emotionality of visual distressing images about feared future events: "flashforwards". A non-clinical sample was asked to select two images of feared future events, which were self-rated for vividness and emotionality. These images were retrieved while making eye movements or without a concurrent secondary task, and then vividness and emotionality were rated again. Relative to the no-dual task condition, eye movements while thinking of future-oriented images resulted in decreased ratings of image vividness and emotional intensity. Apparently, eye movements reduce vividness and emotionality of visual images about past and future feared events. This is in line with a working memory account of the beneficial effects of eye movements, which predicts that any task that taxes working memory during retrieval of disturbing mental images will be beneficial.
Keywords: Anxiety Cognitive Process Eye Movements Flashforwards Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Visual Images Working memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
56. Andrade, J., Kavanagh, D., & Baddeley, A. (1997, May). Eye-movements and visual imagery: A working memory approach to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 36(2), 209-223. doi:10.1111/j.2044-8260.1997.tb01408.x.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
It has been claimed that the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be ameliorated by eye-movement desensitization-reprocessing therapy (EMD-R), a procedure that involves the individual making saccadic eye-movements while imagining the traumatic event. We hypothesized that these eye-movements reduce the vividness of distressing images by disrupting the function of the visuospatial sketchpad (VSSP) of working memory, and that by doing so they reduce the intensity of the emotion associated with the image. This hypothesis was tested by asking non-PTSD participants to form images of neutral and negative pictures under dual task conditions. Their images were less vivid with concurrent eye-movements and with a concurrent spatial tapping task that did not involve eye-movements. In the first three experiments, these secondary tasks did not consistently affect participants' emotional responses to the images. However, Expt 4 used personal recollections as stimuli for the imagery task, and demonstrated a significant reduction in emotional response under the same dual task conditions. These results suggest that, if EMD-R works, it does so by reducing the vividness and emotiveness of traumatic images via the VSSP of working memory. Other visuospatial tasks may also be of therapeutic value (PubMed).
Keywords: Australia Empirical Study Eye movements Experimental Stressors Pictorial Stimuli Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Survivors Treatment Effectiveness
Accuracy Verified: Yes
57. Kaslow, F. W. (2007). Family systems theories and therapeutic applications: A contextual overview. In F. Shaprio, F. W. Kaslow, & L. Maxfield (Eds.), Handbook of EMDR and family therapy processes (pp. 35-75). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Language: English
Format: Book Section
Abstract:
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a kaleidoscopic overview of the field of family therapy/psychology within which the ensuing chapters can be better understood. To accomplish this massive task within the space limits set, the same format has been followed in the summarization of each of the main theoretical schools. Common key dimensions found in almost all theories are highlighted. The dimensions covered are a synopsis of the theory's basic structure and goals, the techniques and process of each school of therapy, its perceived treatment applicability, and process and/or outcome research on the methodology. Wherever possible, chapters in the book are alluded to in which the author selectively integrates a particular theoretical perspective and treatment approach with his or her Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) clinical work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)
Keywords: Family Systems Theory Family Therapy
Accuracy Verified: Yes
58. Vanhoeck, K., & Gykiere, K. (2010). Fantasiemanagement bij seksuele delinquenten [Fantasy management in sexual offenders]. Tijdschrift voor Seksuologie, 34, 224-235.
Language: Dutch
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Fantasy management for sex offenders
Sexual fantasies of sex offenders are a complex therapeutic issue. First, there is not so much we know yet for sure
about sexual fantasies. Secondly, the question is what role
sexual fantasies play as a risk factor for sexual abuse. And
third, therapists see themselves confronted with the difficult task how to affect the sexual fantasies of their client (if
they are willing to do this at all). In part 1 of this article, we
briefly go through the scientific knowledge about sexual
fantasies of sex offenders and will primarily have to find
out that we do not know much. In part 2 we present four
ethical statements as a therapeutic framework for fantasy
management. Finally we describe six steps to make it practical to get started.
Keywords: Fantasy Management Sex Offenders
Accuracy Verified: Yes
59. Langwig, K. E. (2008, December). A functional magnetic resonance imaging study of the effects of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy on post-traumatic stress disorder car accident patients: A pilot study. Union College, Schenectady, N.Y.
Language: English
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a novel therapy that has been effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Few studies have explored the neurological underpinnings of EMDR effectiveness. Utilizing a symptom provocation study design, this study assessed non-PTSD car accident patients. These pilot participants were scanned for comparison to PTSD patients and to explore the task design effectiveness for the future study of PTSD patients. One pilot participant exhibited activation in the left precuneus, and left medial temporal gyrus, and also in the left medial frontal gyrus. In PTSD patients the medial prefrontal cortex is often hypoactive, and inversely correlated with a hyperactive amygdala. The robust activation of medial frontal gyrus in the pilot subject with a corresponding inactivation of the amygdala indicates the participant's normal processing of the car accident trauma tic memories, and that task design and study parameters are being effectively implemented.
Keywords: Automobile Accidents Car Accidents fMRI Pilot Study Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD
Accuracy Verified: Yes
60. Fine, C., Paulsen, S., Rouanzoin, C., Luber, M., Puk, G., & Young, W. (2001). A general guide to the use of EMDR in the dissociative disorders: A task force report. In F. Shapiro, EMDR: Basic principles, practices and procedures, 2nd Ed. (pp. 365-369). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Language: English
Format: Book Section
Abstract:
No abstract available.
Keywords: Dissociative Disorders Task Force Report
Accuracy Verified: Yes
61. International Society for Study of Trauma and Dissociation. (2011, March). Guidelines for treating dissociative identity disorder in adults, third revision. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 12, 115–187. doi:10.1080/15299732.2011.537247.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
The International Society for the Study of Dissociation (ISSD), the former
name of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation
(ISSTD), adopted the Guidelines for Treating Dissociative Identity Disorder
(Multiple Personality Disorder) in Adults in 1994. However, the Guidelines
must be responsive to developments in the field and require ongoing review.
The first revision of the Guidelines was proposed by the ISSD’s Standards
of Practice Committee1 and was adopted by the ISSD Executive Council
in 1997 after substantial comment from the ISSD membership. The second
revision of the Guidelines was requested and approved in 2005 based on the
expertise of a task force of expert clinicians and researchers.2 The current revision was undertaken by a new task force3 in 2009 and 2010 after input
from an open-ended survey of the membership.
The current revision of the Guidelines focuses specifically on the
treatment of dissociative identity disorder (DID) and those forms of dissociative
disorder not otherwise specified (DDNOS) that are similar to DID.
It is intended as a practical guide to the management of adult patients
and represents a synthesis of current scientific knowledge and informed
clinical practice. There is a separate Guidelines for the Evaluation and
Treatment of Dissociative Symptoms in Children and Adolescents (ISSD,
2004) available through the ISSTD and published in the Journal of Trauma
& Dissociation. The American Psychiatric Association (2004) has published
Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with Acute Stress Disorder
(ASD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which may be relevant to
the treatment of DID.
Keywords: Adults DID Dissociation Dissociative Identity Disorder Practice Guidelines Trauma Treatment
Accuracy Verified: Yes
62. Ohtani, T., Matsuoa, K., Kasai, K., Katob, T., and Katoa, N. (2005, May). Hemodynamic response to emotional memory recall with eye movement. Neuroscience Letters, 380(1-2), 75-79. doi:10.1016/j.neures.2009.08.014.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Previous studies on rapid eye movement sleep have demonstrated the effect of eye movement on emotional memory. However, the brain mechanism involved in the influence of the eye movement on the emotional recall remains unclear. We investigated the prefrontal response during an emotional memory recall with and without eye movement. Ten healthy volunteers were recruited. The changes in concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin ([oxy-Hb]) in the prefrontal cortex were examined using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during a task that involved emotional recall with and without eye movement. Six participants demonstrated a significant increase in [oxy-Hb] during emotional recall, and the level of increase was reduced through repeated emotional recall with eye movement. The results suggest that eye movement is associated with a reduction in the hemodynamic response to emotional memory recall
Keywords: Eye Movement Emotional Recall Near-infrared Spectroscopy Prefrontal Cortex
Accuracy Verified: Yes
63. Engelhard, I. M., van den Hout, M. A., & van Uijen, S. L. (2011, May). Het vervagen van negatieve en positieve herinneringen [The blurring of negative and positive memories]. Psychologie & Gezondheid, 39(2), 61-69. doi:10.1007/s12483-011-0017-5.
Language: Dutch
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Earlier studies have shown that horizontal eye movements (EM) during retrieval of a negative memory reduce its vividness and emotionality. This may be due to both tasks competing for working memory (WM) resources. This study examined whether playing the computer game “Tetris” also blurs memory. Participants recalled negative and positive memories in three conditions: recall only, recall with concurrent EM, and recall with playing Tetris. Before and after these conditions, vividness, emotionality, and physiological startle responses during recall were measured. A reaction time task showed that EM and Tetris both draw on WM, compared to no dual-task. Compared to recall only, EMand Tetris both decreased reported emotionality and startle responses. The effects of EM and Tetris did not differ, even though the tasks differed in the degree of taxing WM. This suggests that taxing WM and its effects on emotional memories may not be linearly related. Potential clinical implications are discussed.
Keywords: Memory Retrieval Tetris
Accuracy Verified: Yes
64. van den Hout, M. A., & Engelhard, I. M. (2011, March). Hoe het komt dat EMDR werkt [How it is that EMDR works]. Directieve Therapie en Hypnose, 31(1), 5-23. doi:10.1007/s12433-011-0002-5.
Language: Dutch
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Eye Movement and Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) is een effectieve behandeling van traumasymptomen en de positieve effecten worden teruggevonden in het laboratorium, onder goed gecontroleerde omstandigheden. Dat biedt de mogelijkheid om na te gaan hoe EMDR werkt. Er wordt verslag gedaan naar de bevindingen uit een lange reeks experimenten. De hypothese dat oogbewegingen (of andere taken die worden uitgevoerd tijdens het ophalen van herinneringen) overbodig zijn en dat de exposure aan aversieve herinneringen tijdens EMDR de effecten verklaart, is niet houdbaar. Het idee dat ‘bilaterale stimulatie’ noodzakelijk is, snijdt evenmin hout. Je kunt net zo goed de ogen van boven naar beneden laten bewegen of taken laten doen waarbij helemaal geen oogbewegingen worden gemaakt. Belangrijk is dat de taak het werkgeheugen belast. Uit de werkgeheugenverklaring van EMDR is een lange reeks voorspellingen af te leiden. Die blijken wonderwel bestand tegen kritische experimentele tests en er tekent zich een solide verklaring af van hoe EMDR werkt. Die theorie en de empirische bevindingen hebben allerhande implicaties voor de techniek van EMDR.
Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment of trauma symptoms, while beneficial effects can be reproduced under controlled laboratory conditions. This opens the door for testing how EMDR works. The paper reports data from a long series of experiments. The hypothesis that eye movements (or other dual tasks) are superfluous and that EMDR effects are explained by exposure is untenable. The idea that ‘bilateral stimulation’ is crucial, does not match the data either. One can just as well move the eyes vertically, or carry out tasks that do not involve eye movements. The crucial factor seems to be that the dual task is taxing working memory. From the working memory account of EMDR a long series of predictions can be derived. The predictions survived critical experimental tests. The theory and empirical data have a range of technical implications for carrying out EMDR. These implications are discussed.
Accuracy Verified: Yes
65. 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
66. Gunter, R. W. (2007, 2008). How eye movements affect unpleasant memories: Support for a working memory account. University of Calgary, Canada. AAT NR44352.
Language: English
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing can reduce ratings of the vividness and emotionality of unpleasant memories--hence it is commonly used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder. The present experiments compared three accounts of how eye movements produce these benefits. Participants rated unpleasant autobiographical memories before and after eye movements or an eyes stationary control condition. In Experiment 1, eye movements produced benefits only when memories were held in mind during the movements, and eye movements increased arousal, contrary to an investigatory-reflex account. In Experiment 2, horizontal and vertical eye movements produced equivalent benefits, contrary to an interhemispheric-communication account. In Experiment 3, two other distractor tasks (auditory shadowing, drawing) produced benefits that were negatively correlated with working memory capacity. These findings support a working-memory account of the eye movement benefit in which the central executive is taxed when a person performs a distractor task while attempting to hold a memory in mind.
Keywords: Eye Movements Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
67. Gunter, R. W., & Bodner, G. E. (2008, August). How eye movements affect unpleasant memories: Support for a working-memory account. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 46(8), 913-931. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2008.04.006.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing can reduce ratings of the vividness and emotionality of unpleasant memories—hence it is commonly used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder. The present experiments compared three accounts of how eye movements produce these benefits. Participants rated unpleasant autobiographical memories before and after eye movements or an eyes stationary control condition. In Experiment 1, eye movements produced benefits only when memories were held in mind during the movements, and eye movements increased arousal, contrary to an investigatory-reflex account. In Experiment 2, horizontal and vertical eye movements produced equivalent benefits, contrary to an interhemispheric-communication account. In Experiment 3, two other distractor tasks (auditory shadowing, drawing) produced benefits that were negatively correlated with working-memory capacity. These findings support a working-memory account of the eye movement benefits in which the central executive is taxed when a person performs a distractor task while attempting to hold a memory in mind.
Keywords: Autobiographical Memory Eye Movements Psychotherapy Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
68. Brivio, R., & Bergamaschi, L. (2008, January). Human and organizational aspects affecting the wellbeing in rescue-working activity: EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), Mirror Neuron and Stress Inoculation: The role of training methods, practice and simulation for psychological risks prevention and management in emergency workers.. International Workshop Reinforce Rescuers' Resilience by Empowering a well-being Demension Workshop, Turin, Italy .
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
The wellbeing of rescuers: Relational, organizational and technical aspects that can affect rescuers' wellbeing during
rescue activities: Stress inoculation, role playing and the role of mirror neurons in training, also through the use of
video recordings. Relaxation techniques, psychological debriefing and EMDR in trainings.
Focus of our intervention is the wellbeing of the rescuer. The study and research
on this matter came and were carried out thanks to the activity done both during
trainings and simulations of the Civil Protection than real emergencies.
Our team work received contribution by some psychologists of OPP (Parma’s
Psychologists’ Observatory: A.Sozzi, E.Pedrelli, F.Frati, A. Bocelli, T. Serra). Wellbeing, defined as a subjective and positive emotional state together with a
global life satisfaction (Diener, 1984), is strongly at risk during rescuer’s
emergency activities and can affect the rescuer both physically and
psychologically. The rescuer's capabilities, that we think are technical “know how” and thorough
knowledge, are essential to give the best performance according to the complexity
and urgency of the intervention. These skills can really contribute to the rescuer's
wellbeing, because they can improve the self-efficiency perception.
To effectively manage and train rescuers, it is furthermore important to consider
and acknowledge the influence of interpersonal relationships on technical
performances. It is, in fact, particularly important to recognize and support the
typical relationships that can be created in a team with the same task and
specialization, as well as in multidisciplinary teams, or teams belonging to
different Institutions but operating in the same scenario.
In recent years increasing attention has been given to training activities, even through the use of the role play for interventions in artificial emergency
scenarios. To recreate scenarios of massive emergencies, different Civil Protection
Associations, as well as First Aid volunteer associations and the local
Institutions have been involved. In these simulations, most cases focus on improving technical performances.
Lately psychologists have been asked to join the rescuers team.
During these simulations, the role-play of emotional and psychological problems
occurs thanks to the cooperation between emergency psychologists and the
medical team. The introduction of the role and expertise of psychologists allowed to extend and
strengthen the attention to cross support and care aspects for the psychological
wellbeing of both victims and rescuers.
The psychologist must therefore consider the “wellbeing” in all the emergency
scenarios and contexts, as a sum of all the components that we talked about here
and the ones we will describe during our intervention.
He must first of all be aware of the complexity of each intervention in the field,
and adopt a kind of approach aimed at creating and recovering wellbeing
strategies, that can be used by himself as well.
Strategies on how to build, recover and maintain the wellbeing identify stress as
the first danger source the rescuer has to face in his training and emergency
activity.
When external events or stimuli are perceived as difficult to face compared with
resources available at that moment, the individual gets stressed.
When the person's efforts are not adaptive to the external requests and/or
coherent with his performance expectations, he becomes vulnerable to emotional,
behavioural, cognitive and physical reactions, which can be even very difficult to
manage both in the short and/or in the medium-long term.
This can happen when the sources of stress depend on the rescuer’s
performance, and it can also happen in case of post traumatic stress, visible in
different stages after the event.
From the psychologist's specialist background and from the integration of this
with the result of field experiences, the demand for a range of different tools to
manage the different kinds of stress emerges, and these tools must be applicable
both to the individual and to the group.
This range is still improving, and the results of our observational activity from
past and present experiences lead us to see the opportunity to carry on our
research of tools of efficacy.
During this speech we would like to underline that approaches like Stress
Inoculation Training (SIT, Michenbaum, 1983) and the use of role playing allow
the technical appraisal and let the rescuers improve their stress management
skills, and all that can lead to a decrease in the risk of PTSD.
In past simulations of emergencies, we found out that the use of videotapes for
the role plays is a tool that should be taken more into account. We think it is
important to evaluate its potential for the rescuers' benefit, because it seems to
be not only “a record of technical performances”, but also an observation and
learning tool about the rescuer's own defence and adaptive strategies.
In fact, during these simulations we found out that the rescuers' psychological
and emotional vulnerability emerged in several situations. The fact that even in these artificial situations there were acute stress episodes and O codes urged us
to focus more on the matter of mutual influence between technical performance
and internal experience of stress.
We understand that such acute stress episodes may occur during real life critical
events but we can see how role playing and video recordings show that such
acute stress episodes affected the simulators themselves even during the
simulation. The videos show that even apparently “high immunity” simulators,
who are considered 'immune' thanks to their comprehensive and strong
experience, experienced acute stress, perhaps because of an incorrect selfevaluation
of their own stress management skills.
The interest in the use of videos as a training and reprocessing tool for rescuers
led some of us to specialize in role playing recording, so as to carry out a more
accurate and comprehensive study on those same videos and use them as a
mirror of reality and better educational tool through a vicar experience or through
“seeing oneself from within the experience” and in the interpersonal dynamics
that took place in the scenario.
Videotapes are a very known and widely used tool in other kinds of trainings,
disciplines and therapies (i.e. Family Therapy and CBT).
The discovery of mirror neurons by Rizzolati, Gallese et Al., provides the evidence
that when someone observes the same action performed by another person, the
neurons "mirrors" the behaviour of that person, as though the observer were itself
acting. Thanks to these researchers it is now proven that this can happen
thanks to the motor neurons in the pre-motor cortex.
Therefore, we would like to underline the role of videos as very useful and
versatile training tools, since they expose a situation in an unexpected realistic
manner “as if” it were true and “as if” we were really experiencing that situation,
with the consequent learning movements at the emotional, cognitive and
behavioural level, at the stress management level, as well as at the level of team
work dynamics.
Visual imagination activates the same brain regions that are active during visual
perception and motor imagination activates the same brain regions activated the
movement is really happening.
More importantly, it was possible for us to verify that the videos recorded by other
operators were not focused on showing the important psychological aspects we
mentioned for the goal of the trainings, thing that happened instead with the
videos recorded by psychologists. We think therefore that the use of videotapes
recorded by psychologists should be given more consideration in the trainings of
rescuers. During this intervention we will devote part of the time to broadcasting
two short videos; the first one shows the role playing of an intervention in an
emergency context, and the second one shows a part of an EMDR session (Eye
Movement Desensitization Reprocessing). We think it is important to recreate and
protect rescuers wellbeing in the post-role playing and post emergency stages
too. For years EMDR has been proven effective in improving the individual's
coping skills and in reprocessing, wherever necessary, the post traumatic
aspects resulting from critical events to whom not only the victims, but also the rescuers too, are exposed during emergencies.
Keywords: Emergency Workers Mirror Neuron and Stress Inoculation Rescue-Working Activity Risk Prevention and Management
Accuracy Verified: Yes
69. Engelhard, I. M., van Uijen, S. L., & van den Hout, M. A. (2010, December). The impact of taxing working memory on negative and positive memories. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 1, 5623,[8 pages]. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v1i0.5623.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Background: Earlier studies have shown that horizontal eye movement (EM) during retrieval of a negative memory reduces its vividness and emotionality. This may be due to both tasks competing for working memory (WM) resources. This study examined whether playing the computer game ‘‘Tetris’’ also blurs memory. Method: Participants recalled negative and positive memories in three conditions: recall only, recall with concurrent EM, and recall with playing Tetris. Before and after these conditions, vividness, emotionality, and physiological startle responses during recall were measured. Results: A reaction time task showed that EM and Tetris both draw on WM, compared to no dual-task. Compared to recall only, EM and Tetris decreased reported emotionality and startle responses. Conclusions: The effects of EM and Tetris did not differ, even though the tasks differed in the degree of taxing WM. This suggests that taxing WM and its effects on emotional memories may not be linearly related. Potential clinical implications are discussed.
Keywords: Emotionality Horizontal Eye Movement Vividness
Accuracy Verified: Yes
70. Kaye, B. (2006). Interactive cognitive motor interweaves during EMDR. Cary, NC: Allied Psychological Services.
Language: English
Format: Other
Abstract:
A new interweave technique is described for when patients are slow to desensitize or when they are emotionally overwhelmed during EMDR treatment. The interweave is comprised of two parallel components: a finger-touching go/no-go tracking task as well as a semantic priming task. The theoretical rationale for the finger-touching task is explained relative to neuroimaging studies of the anterior cingulate cortex and other areas. The rationale for the semantic priming task is explained relative to research about dopaminergic activation projecting from the ventral tegmentum as well as novelty generated orienting responses. A two-stage model is proposed for constructing effective EMDR stimulation techniques.
Keywords: Cognitive Interweave
Accuracy Verified: Yes
71. National Council on Disability (2009, March). Invisible wounds: Serving service members and veterans with PTSD and TBI. Author.
Language: English
Format: Publication
Abstract:
More than 1.6 million American service members have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). As of December 2008, more than 4,000 troops have been killed and over 30,000 have returned from a combat zone with visible wounds and a range of permanent disabilities. In addition, an estimated 25-40 percent have less visible wounds--psychological and neurological injuries associated with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), which have been dubbed "signature injuries" of the Iraq War. National Council on Disability (NCD) concurs with the recommendations of previous Commissions, Task Forces and national organizations that: (1) A comprehensive continuum of care for mental disorders, including PTSD, and for TBI should be readily accessible by all service members and veterans. This requires adequate staffing and adequate funding of Veterans Administration (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) health systems; (2) Mechanisms for screening service members for PTSD and TBI should be continuously improved to include baseline testing for all Service Members pre-deployment and follow up testing for individuals that are placed in situations where head trauma may occur; and (3) The current array of mental health and substance abuse services covered by TRICARE should be expanded and brought in line with other similar health plans. As this report indicates, the medical and scientific knowledge needed to comprehensively address PTSD and TBI is incomplete. However, many evidence-based practices do exist. Unfortunately, service members and veterans face a number of barriers in accessing these practices including stigma; inadequate information; insufficient services to support families; limited access to available services, and a shortage of services in some areas. Many studies and commissions have presented detailed recommendations to address these needs. There is an urgent need to implement these recommendations. (Contains 4 exhibits.)
Keywords: Afghanistan Iraq Military Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD TBI Traumatic Brain Injury Veterans
Accuracy Verified: Yes
72. Chang, S. H. (2005). Mechanism of EM in EMDR: Change strength of semantic associations. Presentation at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, DC.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Research background & objectives: Based on REM-sleep dependent memory reprocessing model, this study examined possible therapeutic mechanisms of eye
movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 1989,
1995, 2001). Stickgold (2002) proposed that sleep induced change in associative memory
via activation of weak association during REM state and EMs functioned as REM sleep to
integrate the episodic memory of trauma into general semantic memory. Specifically, the
effect of EM in relation to order of relatedness of associations on change of strength of
semantic associations for negative words after saccadic bilateral eye movements was
examined in the present study.
Methods: Sixty-four college students were recruited as participants. Via semantic
priming task, a 2 (eye movement condition: horizontal saccadic eye movements vs. no
eye movements) × 3 (strength of semantic association: strong priming vs. weak priming
vs. unrelated priming) × 2 (block order of presentation: related prime first vs. unrelated
prime first) mixed factorial design was performed, with strength of semantic association
serving as within Ss factor and the other two variables serving as between Ss factors. The
primes consisted of negative word stimuli. Each trials consisted of an 8 seconds saccadic
horizontal eye movement manipulation (200 ms per movement in EM condition),
followed by 500-msec fixation point and then prime displayed for 32msec, which was
followed immediately by the target. The participant was instructed to read the target as
soon as possible and the reaction time was recorded by the compuer. While absolute
primeability index for strong (or weak) association was calculated as (RT
related – RT unrelated) for strong primes or weak primes, respectively, relative primeability index was calculated as (RT related – RT unrelated)/RT
unrelated. The dependent variables were correct (%), error (%), and primeability index for each of strong prime and weak prime. Change of primeability
of weak associations for negative stimuli as opposed to that of strong ones under different
EM conditions and different block order was compared.
Results: For absolute primeability index, the 2 (EM condition) × 2 (order) × 2 (strength
of priming) ANOVA showed that only the interaction effect of EM × strength of semantic
association was approaching significance, indicating that weak priming significantly
exceeded strong priming after EM (F (1, 56)
= 18.01, p < .001; partial ω 2= .210), while the
opposite was true after non-EM (F (1, 56)
= 25.86, p < .0001; partial ω 2 = .280). Further, for weak prime, the priming effect was stronger after EM than after non-EM (F
(1, 56) = 74.62,
p < .0001; partial ω 2 = .535). For relative primeability index, it also revealed that only the interaction effect of EM × strength of semantic association was significant (F (1, 56) = 6.09, p < .02; partial ω 2 = .074), and tests of simple main effects showed similar patterns as those of absolute primeability index. Conclusions: 8s EMs was associated with change of strength of semantic associations.
While EM didn’t weaken the primeability for the strong association, EM did enhance the
primeability for weak associations. Further, weak priming significantly exceeded strong
priming after EM, while the opposite was true after non-EM. The results echoed
REM-sleep dependent memory reprocessing model, suggesting that EM in EMDR might
reflect a shift in associative memory systems by activating different strength of
associations of negative semantic nodes for different semantically related words. Given
that order of relatedness didn’t play a role and previous research showed that EM resulted
in decreased vividness and emotionality and generated greater amount of associations for
negative stimuli as well, the implications of the present results from theoretical and
psychotherapy point of views and future research possibilities are discussed.
Keywords: EMDR REM REM-Sleep Dependent Memory Reprocessing Model Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Saccadic Eye movement Semantic Association
Accuracy Verified: Yes
73. 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
74. Thomas, L. E., & Lleras, A. (2007). Moving eyes and moving thought: On the spatial compatibility between eye movements and cognition. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 14(4), 663-668.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Grant and Spivey (2003) proposed that eye movement trajectories can influence spatial reasoning by way
of an implicit eye-movement-to-cognition link. We tested this proposal and investigated the nature of this link
by continuously monitoring eye movements and asking participants to perform a problem-solving task under
free-viewing conditions while occasionally guiding their eye movements (via an unrelated tracking task), either
in a pattern related to the problem’s solution or in unrelated patterns. Although participants reported that they
were not aware of any relationship between the tracking task and the problem, those who moved their eyes in
a pattern related to the problem’s solution were the most successful problem solvers. Our results support the
existence of an implicit compatibility between spatial cognition and the eye movement patterns that people use
to examine a scene.
Keywords: Eye Movements
Accuracy Verified: Yes
75. Manfield, P. (1995, June). Narcissistic disorders: Using EMDR with these difficult clients. Presentation at the EMDR Network Conference Santa Monica, CA.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Definition of client population:
Disorder of the self. The narcissistic character is often identified by his or her grandiose facade concealing an underlying sense of
emptiness and worthlessness. To experience the underlying emptiness is so painful for them that these people cut off their inner
experience and rely instead on external admiration and praise to support their grandiose or superior view of themselves; their
condition is often referred to as a "disorder of the self." Because of their dependence on others for their sense of themselves, they are
exquisitely sensitive to criticism or disapproval, often warding off deflation by becoming increasingly grandiose, superior, disdainful
or demeaning. Many conceal their grandiosity, maintaining a secret sense of superiority which may be based upon their
perfectionism or their quiet devaluing of others.
View of others: there is a range of severity of the narcissistic character from personality disorders to a narcissistic character style.
People with personality disorders, are unable to form a trusting bond with another person; they view people primarily as
interchangeable, performing a function which could equally be performed by many others. Less impaired narcissistic characters,
however, are able to form varying degrees of attachments to other people, although their ability to trust and care about other people
is limited. Most commonly they relate to people they can idealize or be admired by. People tend to be seen in extremes as either
superior and powerful or inferior and worthless; supportive and admiring or critical and attacking.
Difficulties in using EMDR:
Clinically these clients represent a difficult and often frustrating population to treat; they are brittle and easily injured if they to not
feel perfectly understood by their therapists, and they will distance at the slightest hint that they are being judged or used. They
resist focusing inward and defining their problems as arising within themselves, and find it difficult to sustain any genuine affect,
other than perhaps rage. If they feel understood and accepted, however, they will eventually talk about their sense of emptiness and
worthlessness and their confusion about who they are and what is truly meaningful and valuable to them.
Beck, Young and others have described factors that make it difficult to treat any personality disorder using a cognitive behavioral
approach. There have in fact been very few reported "successes" in the literature. Most of the difficulties are related to the self and
object splitting characteristic of these clients. These clients have limited access to feelings, limited access to spontaneous thoughts,
body sensations, memories, etc., and vague unfocussed presenting problems making targeting difficult. They usually have difficulty
with emotional and often intellectual continuity from session to session; they will rarely keep a log or follow through with
homework; transference issues often come into central focus and must be addressed before other targets; and their selfdefeating
beliefs and behavior patterns are extremely deeply held, pervasive and resistant to change.
In addition to varying degrees of these difficulties, narcissistic clients present all of the problems in EMDR that they do in more
traditional therapies; including their tendencies to act out, deny, and avoid. These and other defenses interfere with completion of
segments of therapeutic work and make it difficult for the clinician to keep work focused within one neural network. Self and object
splitting leads to continuity problems within or between sessions and a difficulty maintaining clarity about the reason for being in
treatment. The client may feel suicidal one week and declare himself or herself to be fully recovered the next. Perhaps the most
confirming aspect of the treatment of these clients, however, is their emotionally impoverished pasts; they have very limited
experience of nurturing, loving and caring to draw !?om in order to interweave new meanings and perspectives into traumatic or
painful past experiences.
Length of treatment:
I have found that I have been able to achieve good results with higher level narcissistic clients with whom I have had an established
relationship at the time I introduced EMDR into the treatment. My results with clients who have come to therapy asking specifically
for EMDR and with whom I have begun using EMDR soon after the beginning of treatment have been generally poorer, varying
with the severity of the client's disorder, the less severe doing best. The client needs to be able to establish a meaningful trusting
relationship with the therapist; the more severe the client's difficulties with attachment, the more time this process requires.
Narcissistic clients do not tend to see their difficulty with vulnerability, trust and intimacy as a problem within themselves. If they
are able to recognize personal problems, they are usually in the area of self esteem and obstacles to achievement. When they are
able to resolve some of these latter problems fairly rapidly through treatment they tend to terminate, no longer seeing a sufficient
purpose for treatment. In a sense, they can become better narcissists; their grandiose view of themselves is enhanced and they are
reinforced in their use of self-sufficiency as a defense against interpersonal vulnerability. I view the relative efficiency of EMDR as
a problem for deeper treatment of narcissistic clients because there is less time for the therapeutic relationship to develop and
consequently a limited opportunity to impact the client's object splitting. I believe that this is why I have found EMDR with
narcissistic clients to be most effective when it is introduced after a therapeutic relationship has had time to develop. Negative cognitions:
The early maladaptive schemas of narcissistic clients are pervasive in their lives and point to a plethora of negative cognitions.
Typical early schemas are: I must control myself (or my feelings, my behavior, my body) at all times; no one cares; my needs will
never be met; I can't trust anyone; I am deeply flawed and unlovable; I am dikeable, unattractive to others; I will always fail; my
flaws are totally unacceptable to others; I must be perfect or I am worthless; I deserve to be treated more specially than others; I must
please others to avoid attack; I'm alone; nobody understands me; I am OK if I am better than others; I am OK only if others admire
me. It is often helpful to narrow these cognitions down to make them manageable with EMDR
Treatment:
In addition to the recommended protocol of establishing a safe space to which the client can retreat if necessary, before doing an
EMDR session with one of these clients, the therapist should identify as many of the client's emotional resources possible, in
particular expriences if any of having felt loved and accepted ad examples of loving people or relationships the client has observed
Among other things, these facilitate more effective copitive interweaves.
The initial task in doing an EMDR session with this client population is to establish an appropriate and richly defined target. Since
it is more difficult for these clients to access meanm&l memories in an emotionally alive way, the therapist must be more active in
helping the client stimulate the associated neural netork as I l l y as possible. In addition to the client's reaction to the plight of
children he may be related to or observe (Level I1 training), a rich source of emotional responsiveness and resources is the client's
own response to situations he has witnessed in news media, TV, movies or theater.
A major challenge in addressing a narcissistic character type using EMDR is tracking the course of the session with these clients
and identifying when they drip out of the targeted neural network. This process can be subtle because it requires an ability to
differentiate true avoidance hm spontaneous associations which may appear at hat to be irrelevant; it requires a familiarity with
and sensitivity to the protective or defensive mechanisms they use to insulate themselves fiom painful memories and affect. As the
patterns ofmovement in and out of the targeted network are identified it is important to use interventions that are experienced by the
client as supportive but nevertheless make hun or her aware of having wandered.
Although the narcissistic client may initiate treatment with the stated goal of improving his performance in specified areas, he will
agree upon reflection that the real problem is that he feels an overriding need to perform in order to feel worthwhile. Since he has
never known any other way of dealing with his self-worth, he will be skeptical about whether it is possible to feel a sense of worth
that is not based upon performance, and it is easy for the therapist to lose perspective and join him in that beliet especially while
doing EMDR with its potential for reprocessing with extraordinary precision specific obstacles to performance. The therapist must,
however, retain her healthy perspective if the client is to learn to accept himself.
For more clinical information about treating disorders of the self:
1.)Beck, Aaron T., et al, Cognitive Therapy Of Personality Disorder Guilford Press, New York,
N. Y., 1990
2.)Manfield, Philip, Split Self/Split Object: Understanding And Treating Borderline, Narcissistic And Schizoid Disorders, Jason Aronson Publishers, Northvale, N.J., 1992.
3.)Young, Jeffrey, E, Cognitive Therapy For Personality Disorders: A Schema-Focused Approach,
Professional Resource Exchange, Inc., Sarasota, Florida, 1990.
Keywords: Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Accuracy Verified: Yes
76. Paulsen, S., & Lanius, U. (2011, November). Neurobiology and dissocation: Information processing and the embodied self. Presentation at the 28th annual meeting of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, Montreal, Quebec.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Neuroscience research can guide trauma treatment including EMDR, ego state, somatic, and attachment therapies (Lanius, Paulsen & Corrigan, in press). Traumatic memories tend to be encoded somatically and affectively in implicit memory. Lower brain structures, particularly basic affective circuits and the periaqueductal gray (PAG) (Panksepp, 1998), are essential to understanding of both traumatic memory and and dissociation. The polyvagal nervous system (Porges, 2001) is key to understanding the activation of different affective circuits, including the interplay between social engagement and connection, fight/flight and dissociation. A model is proposed that links alterations in consciousness to failure of integration and ultimately to structural dissociation (van der Hart et al., 2006). It is suggested that attachment trauma contributes to the failure of horizontal integration of the columnar organization of affective states, which, over time, become the foundation of discontinuous self-states: Discontinuity of self-states, amnesia barriers and dissociative state switching develop in lieu of smooth state transitions. Somatic interventions can enable sensory integration and personification (Janet, 1929), prior to trauma processing with EMDR that engages brain processing inter-hemispherically and across cortical and subcortical levels. The workshop will highlight implications of recent neurobiological findings for clinical practice.
Learning Objectives:
Articulate the role of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) in the expression and experience of emotion.
Identify two brain structures implicated in integrating affective and sensory information.
Name three branches of the polyvagal nervous systems described by Porges.
Keywords: Dissociation Embodies Self Information Processing Neurobiology
Accuracy Verified: Yes
77. Olff, M., Nijdam, M., Samuelson, K., Golier, J., Meewisse, M., Marmar, C., Yehuda, R., Gersons, B., & Neylan, T. (2007, November). Neuropsychological Symptoms in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Changes Over Time. Symposium conducted at the 23rd annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Baltimore, MD.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Neuropsychological symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder and changes over time: Attention and memory problems are some of the most persisting
and debilitating symptoms related to PTSD. This symposium will
focus on neuropsychological symptoms in posttraumatic stress disorder
with particular emphasis on changes over time or changes
due to treatment.
Effects of psychotherapy on neuropsychological
performance in PTSD:
Two of the most common findings in neuropsychological studies of
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are impairments of attention
and verbal memory. This presentation addresses whether these
impairments improve after trauma-focused psychotherapy. Data are
presented from an ongoing randomized controlled trial comparing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy (n
= 70) and Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEP; n = 70). Participants
were outpatients diagnosed with PTSD after a type I trauma of different
kind. Attention and memory were investigated before and
after treatment using the following neuropsychological tests: Trail
Making Test, STROOP task, California Verbal Learning Test and
Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test. Different versions of the memory
tests were administrated at pre- and postassessment in order to
control for learning effects. Preliminary results of treatment completers
indicate significant improvements of verbal memory and
divided attention after both treatments. Differences between the
treatments as well as the clinical relevance of the findings will be
discussed.
Keywords: Neuropsychological Performance Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Symposium
Accuracy Verified: Yes
78. van den Hout, M. A., Bartelski, N., & Engelhard, I. M. (2013, January). On EMDR: Eye movements during retrieval reduce subjective vividness and objective memory accessibility during future recall. Cognition and Emotion, 27(1),177-183 p. doi:10.1080/02699931.2012.691087.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
In eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), a treatment for post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), patients make eye movements (EM) during trauma recall. Earlier experimental
studies found that EM during recall reduces memory vividness during future recalls, and this was
taken as laboratory support for the underlying mechanism of EMDR. However, reduced vividness
was assessed with self-reports that may be affected by demand characteristics. We tested whether
recallEM also reduces memory vividness on a behavioural reaction time (RT) task. Undergraduates
(N32) encoded two pictures, recalled them, and rated their vividness. In the EM group, one of the
pictures was recalled again while making EM. In the no-EM group one of the pictures was recalled
without EM. Then fragments from both the recalled and non-recalled pictures, and new fragments
were presented and participants rated whether these were (or were not) seen before. Both pictures
were rated again for vividness. In the EM group, self-rated vividness of the recalledEM picture
decreased, relative to the non-recalled picture. In the no-EM group there was no difference between
the recalled versus non-recalled picture. The RT task showed the same pattern. Reduction of
memory vividness due to recallEM is also evident from non-self-report data.
Keywords: Memory Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Reaction Time Test
Accuracy Verified: Yes
79. van der Schoot, O. M. (2010, Juli). Oogbewegingen en imaginatie: Een kritische toets van de werkgeheugen theorie bij EMDR [Eye movements and imagination: A critical test of working memory theory in EMDR]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.
Language: Dutch
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
‘Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing’ (EMDR), een veel gebruikte behandelingbij posttraumatische stressstoornis, kan de helderheid en emotionaliteit van plezierige enonplezierige herinneringen reduceren. Tevens kunnen visuele beelden van gevreesdetoekomstige gebeurtenissen worden gedegradeerd. Verondersteld wordt dat EMDR zijnwerking verleent door manipulatie van het gelimiteerde werkgeheugen. In de huidige tweeexperimenten wordt deze veronderstelling nogmaals kritisch getoetst aan de hand van eenoogbewegingen, alleen ophalen (controle) en imaginatie conditie. Er werd verondersteld datwanneer imaginatie gebruik zou maken van dezelfde processen als EMDR (manipulatie vanhet werkgeheugen) er spiegelbeeldige effecten zouden moeten optreden. In experiment 1 werdgebruik gemaakt van neutrale herinneringen (huiskamers). In de oogbewegingen en alleenophalen conditie werd geen effect gevonden. In de imaginatie conditie nam de compleetheiden waarheidsgetrouwheid van de herinnering toe. In experiment 2 werd gebruik gemaakt vaneen Reactie Tijden (RT) taak om te objectiveren of de oogbewegingen en de imaginatiedaadwerkelijk het werkgeheugen taxeren: zowel oogbewegingen als imaginatie vertraagdende RT, maar oogbewegingen het meest, hetgeen suggereert dat oogbewegingen het meestewerkgeheugen taxeert. Vervolgens werd experiment 1 herhaald, echter ditmaal met specifiekepositieve autobiografische herinneringen. In de drie condities werd geen effect gevonden.Huidig onderzoek biedt geen ondersteuning voor de werkgeheugentheorie. Echter, geen vande andere prominente theorieën over het werkingsmechanisme van EMDR kan het uitblijvenvan effect in huidig onderzoek verklaren. Verder onderzoek naar EMDR zal nodig zijn om debehandeling verder te kunnen optimaliseren en het werkingsmechanisme beter te kunnenbegrijpen.
"Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a widely used behandelingbij posttraumatic stress disorder, the clarity and emotion of pleasant memories enonplezierige reduced. It may also feared future events of visual images are degraded. It is assumed that EMDR effect gives through manipulation of the limited memory. In the present two experiments were critically tested this assumption on the basis of one eye movements, only to retrieve (control), and imagery condition. It was assumed datwanneer imagination would use the same processes as EMDR (manipulation of working memory) are mirrored effects should arise. In experiment 1 was used neutral memories (homes). In the retrieval condition, eye movements and all found no effect. In the imagination condition heathlands took the complete veracity of the increased memory. Experiment 2 was used asunder Reaction times (RT) task to objectify or eye movements and working memory imaginatiedaadwerkelijk value: both eye movements and imagination-using RT slowed, but the most eye movements, suggesting that eye movements appraises the most memory. Experiment 1 was then repeated, this time with specific positive autobiographical memories. In the three conditions, no effect gevonden.Huidig research does not support the working memory theory. However, no Vande other prominent theories on the mechanism of EMDR uitblijvenvan effect may explain current research. Further research on EMDR debehandeling will be needed to further optimize the mechanism and to better understand.
Keywords: Imagination Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Vividness Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
80. 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
81. Koppel, R. H. (2009, May). Rapid eye movement effects on traumatic memories: A test of the working memory hypothesis. The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA.
Language: English
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is a psychotherapy that uses
rapid eye movements to alleviate traumatic memories. This experiment examined two working
memory hypotheses proposed to explain how performing rapid eye movements can affect the
vividness, emotionality and completeness of traumatic memories. Participants (N=25) recalled
three traumatic memories and rated them on vividness, emotionality and completeness before
and after performing rapid eye movements. Participants also completed six working memory
tasks to see if a correlation existed between working memory and the effect of rapid eye
movements on memory rating variables. Findings illustrate that there was a significant decrease
pre-test to post-test in vividness. Additionally, the factor underlying the reading span operation
task and the Sternberg item order task significantly correlated with the effect of rapid eye
movements for all memory ratings. The results of the current study support the central executive
hypothesis explanation more than the visuospatial sketchpad storage hypothesis for EMDR.
3
Rapid Eye Movement Effects on Traumatic Memories: A Test of the Working Memory
Hypothesis
In 1987, Francis Shapiro discovered that performing horizontal eye saccades while
holding a traumatic event in mind helped her alleviate the negative symptoms she experienced
from that memory. She developed this intuition into a psychotherapy that is called Eye
Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This therapy is now a widely-used
technique to treat victims of trauma, people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), and people suffering from phobias and other anxiety disorders (Muris & Meckleberger,
1999). Shapiro (2001) describes EMDR as an eight-phase treatment method that includes history
taking, client preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure and reevaluation.
An important, and distinguishing, component of the EMDR procedure involves the
patient performing rapid bilateral eye movements while thinking about their traumatic memory
and communicating any negative cognition associated with that memory. The horizontal saccadic
eye movements generally involve watching the therapist’s quickly moving finger for 15-20
seconds/set (Shapiro, 2001). Eye saccade sets continue until the patient begins to report that
negative aspects of the memory are being alleviated, and that positive self-cognitions have
replaced the negative self-cognitions associated with the memory (Shapiro, 2001).
Keywords: Hypotheses Rapid Eye Movements REM Traumatic Memories
Accuracy Verified: Yes
82. Kaye, B. (2008). Reversing reciprocal suppression in the anterior cingulated cortex: A hypothetical model to explain EMDR effectiveness. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(1), 88-99. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.1.2.88.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
A theoretical model is proposed to explain desensitization during Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as resulting from the reversal of reciprocal suppression of cognitive processing in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Dual-attention and error monitoring are known to activate dorsal regions of the ACC that mediate metacognitive processing. Neuroimaging research has produced evidence that cognitive areas in the upper ACC may reciprocally suppress affective processing in the lower areas and vice versa. It is therefore proposed that the original eye-to-finger tracking task of EMDR may achieve its therapeutic effect by using error monitoring to reverse suppression of the upper ACC by the lower ACC. Contributions to EMDR effectiveness from resource installation and novelty-driven orienting reflexes may also influence ACC functioning. A distraction effect is proposed to be a negative and potentially disruptive by-product of very interactive stimulation tasks. A semantic priming procedure is suggested to limit distraction effects during more interactive forms of stimulation. [Author Abstract]
Keywords: Anterior Cingulate Cognitive Processes Neurotransmitters Reciprocal Suppression Semantic Priming
Accuracy Verified: Yes
83. Chang, S. H. (2007, September). Role of EM and stimulus valence presentation order in the return of fear: Possible implications for the therapeutic mechanism. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association Conference, Dallas, Texas. (NSC 93-2413-H-002-002-).
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Research background & aims: This study examined possible therapeutic mechanisms of eye
movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 1989,
1995, 2001) in terms of exposure and information processing model. While exposure model
contended process of extinction and response habituation, Stickgold (2002) proposed that
sleep induced change in associative memory via activation of weak association during REM
state and EM functioned as REM sleep to integrate the episodic memory of trauma into
general semantic memory. In this study, the effect of EM compared to that of Exposure-Only
(non-EM) on process measures of SUDs, ratings of cockroach phobia across sessions, along
with outcome measures were examined. Specifically, the degree of return of fear and response
habituation was explored.
Methods: Thirty-six college students with cockroach phobias were recruited as participants
and invited after informed consent for 4 1-week interval treatment sessions and a 1 month
follow-up session. The instruments for outcome measures included Cockroach Phobia
Questionnaire, fear ratings of cockroach slides, FSS, STAI-S, BDI, short form of SCL-90, the
Revised Thought-Action Fusion Questionnaire, White Bear Suppression Inventory, and
cognitive tasks for measuring strength of associations. The SUDs, credibility and therapeutic
relationship rating, and physiological measures such as HR, HRV, EOG, served as process
measures. Due to space limitations, the results of cognitive task and physiological measures
were reported elsewhere. The participants were randomly assigned to one of the four groups:
EM condition (EM vs. Non-EM exposure only) × block order of cockroach theme
presentation (negative cognition first vs. positive cognition first). A 2 (EM condition) × 2
(order of valence presentation) × 9 (time: pre-assessment and post-assessment for each of the
4 sessions plus 1 month follow-up assessment) mixed factorial design was performed, with
time serving as within Ss factor and the other two variables serving as between Ss factors.
There were 20 trials in each therapeutic session. The duration of each trial was 30s for both
the EM and Exposure-Only conditions.
Results: After preliminary analyses for group differences on pretreatment variables, credibility-relationship ratings, and outcome variables were explored, the 2 (EM condition) ×
2 (order of valence presentation) × 9 (time) ANOVA on SUDs showed that the main effects of
time and EM were both significant (p < .001 and p < .034). Subsequently, two 2 (order of
valence presentation) × 9 (time) ANOVAs were performed for EM condition and
Exposure-Only condition, respectively. The results showed that for EM condition, only time
effect was significant (p < .006); while for Exposure-Only condition, there were a significant
time effect (p < .001) and an approaching significant valence presentation order effect (p
< .065), with the SUDs being higher in negative cognition presented first condition compared
to positive cognition presented first condition; whereas the effect was not significant for the
EM condition. Using trend analyses and inspection of time effect showed that significant
within session SUDs reduction for Exposure-Only conditions. Notwithstanding, the pairwise
comparisons for the 9 time points indicated salient phenomena of return of fear among several
of the 5 sessions for this condition when comparing the pre-assessment of each session with
post-assessment of its previous session. Whereas for EM condition the return of fear between
sessions was small and the trend analysis showed a reduction with linear trend.
Conclusions & Discussion: Compared to Exposure-Only, EM resulted in less degree of
sufferings while participants encountering negative theme which in turn might facilitate
further processing of negative memory. In addition, EM might add something beyond the
mechanism of pure exposure. The less return of fear indicating that information processing in
addition to response inhibition might take place between sessions. The results echoed
Shapiro’s Adaptive Information Processing model and Stickgold’s REM-sleep dependent
memory reprocessing model, suggesting that EM in EMDR might reflect a shift in associative
memory systems by activating different strength of associations of negative semantic nodes
for different semantically related words. Given that previous research showed that EM
decreased emotionality and also generate greater amount of associations for negative stimuli,
the implications of the present results from theoretical and therapeutic point of views and
future research possibilities are discussed.
Keywords: Adaptive Information Processing Model REM-Sleep Dependent Memory Reprocessing Model Saccadic Eye Movement Semantic Association
Accuracy Verified: Yes
84. Chang, S. H. (2009). Role of EM and stimulus valence presentation order in the return of fear: Possible implications for the therapeutic mechanism. National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Language: English
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
Research background & aims: This study examined possible therapeutic mechanisms of eye
movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 1989,
1995, 2001) in terms of exposure and information processing model. While exposure model
contended process of extinction and response habituation, Stickgold (2002) proposed that
sleep induced change in associative memory via activation of weak association during REM
state and EM functioned as REM sleep to integrate the episodic memory of trauma into
general semantic memory. In this study, the effect of EM compared to that of Exposure-Only
(non-EM) on process measures of SUDs, ratings of cockroach phobia across sessions, along
with outcome measures were examined. Specifically, the degree of return of fear and response
habituation was explored.
Methods: Thirty-six college students with cockroach phobias were recruited as participants
and invited after informed consent for 4 1-week interval treatment sessions and a 1 month
follow-up session. The instruments for outcome measures included Cockroach Phobia
Questionnaire, fear ratings of cockroach slides, FSS, STAI-S, BDI, short form of SCL-90, the
Revised Thought-Action Fusion Questionnaire, White Bear Suppression Inventory, and
cognitive tasks for measuring strength of associations. The SUDs, credibility and therapeutic
relationship rating, and physiological measures such as HR, HRV, EOG, served as process
measures. Due to space limitations, the results of cognitive task and physiological measures
were reported elsewhere. The participants were randomly assigned to one of the four groups:
EM condition (EM vs. Non-EM exposure only) × block order of cockroach theme
presentation (negative cognition first vs. positive cognition first). A 2 (EM condition) × 2
(order of valence presentation) × 9 (time: pre-assessment and post-assessment for each of the
4 sessions plus 1 month follow-up assessment) mixed factorial design was performed, with
time serving as within Ss factor and the other two variables serving as between Ss factors.
There were 20 trials in each therapeutic session. The duration of each trial was 30s for both
the EM and Exposure-Only conditions.
Results: After preliminary analyses for group differences on pretreatment variables, credibility-relationship ratings, and outcome variables were explored, the 2 (EM condition) ×
2 (order of valence presentation) × 9 (time) ANOVA on SUDs showed that the main effects of
time and EM were both significant (p < .001 and p < .034). Subsequently, two 2 (order of
valence presentation) × 9 (time) ANOVAs were performed for EM condition and
Exposure-Only condition, respectively. The results showed that for EM condition, only time
effect was significant (p < .006); while for Exposure-Only condition, there were a significant
time effect (p < .001) and an approaching significant valence presentation order effect (p
< .065), with the SUDs being higher in negative cognition presented first condition compared
to positive cognition presented first condition; whereas the effect was not significant for the
EM condition. Using trend analyses and inspection of time effect showed that significant
within session SUDs reduction for Exposure-Only conditions. Notwithstanding, the pairwise
comparisons for the 9 time points indicated salient phenomena of return of fear among several
of the 5 sessions for this condition when comparing the pre-assessment of each session with
post-assessment of its previous session. Whereas for EM condition the return of fear between
sessions was small and the trend analysis showed a reduction with linear trend.
Conclusions & Discussion: Compared to Exposure-Only, EM resulted in less degree of
sufferings while participants encountering negative theme which in turn might facilitate
further processing of negative memory. In addition, EM might add something beyond the
mechanism of pure exposure. The less return of fear indicating that information processing in
addition to response inhibition might take place between sessions. The results echoed
Shapiro’s Adaptive Information Processing model and Stickgold’s REM-sleep dependent
memory reprocessing model, suggesting that EM in EMDR might reflect a shift in associative
memory systems by activating different strength of associations of negative semantic nodes
for different semantically related words. Given that previous research showed that EM
decreased emotionality and also generate greater amount of associations for negative stimuli,
the implications of the present results from theoretical and therapeutic point of views and
future research possibilities are discussed.
Keywords: Adaptive Information Processing Model REM-Sleep Dependent Memory Reprocessing Model Saccadic Eye Movement Sematic Association
Accuracy Verified: Yes
85. Giovannozzi, G. (2013, June). Safety, regulation, self-regulation and eye contact: New challenges for EMDR therapy. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Geneva, Switzerland.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Porges’ polivagal theory of the hierarchical interpretation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), in addition to extending the range of human beings’ possible responses to environmental demands, links the first line ventral-vagal response with the regulation of important viscera as well as that of facial and head muscles, mediating social interactions, and associates its activation with the feeling of safety, identifying this latter condition as essential for a person’s well-being.
Without safety no social relations, physiological regulation or healing are possible. Hence the importance for EMDR therapists to lead their clients to this condition: lacking the activation of the ventral-vagal circuit there can be no processing. EMDR therapists will be provided with tools to keep their clients in safe conditions within the setting.
Clients exposed to trauma and/or insecure attachment do not have a good ANS regulation and maintain inadequate defensive attitudes – as demonstrated by Porges’ results, easily comparable with Schore’s on affective development and with those of several multi-disciplinary scholars.
Exploring this dysfunction provides EMDR therapists with useful elements to guide their clients in the difficult task of confronting what they did not/could not process at that time. We propose a three-pronged cross-sectional assessment, regardless of the pathology, aimed at identifying the defensive arousal state of the ANS needed to face the dysregulating impact at that time, focusing on the prevalent activation style of the client, when meeting environmental challenges, and that emerging in the session. Starting from this assessment, EMDR therapists will be provided with tools to help clients recognize and master their defenses to increase their flexibility.
Using the regulation as a healing instrument and goal, and given the two-directional psychophysiological approach, where psychological and physiological processes meet, a new intervention model, stemming from the AIP-EMDR approach, is proposed, acting directly on the missing or impaired developmental stages of the self-regulation ability, consistently with what Porges hoped for.
The intervention focuses on Eye Contact (EC), because, as confirmed by several scholars, this is a privileged communication pathway, in particular in the mother-child dyad, to learn self-regulating skills and is easily impaired in psychiatric clients.
Learning objectives:
Raise EMDR therapists’ awareness of the importance of safety for their clients, based on Porges’ Polyvagal Theory;
Provide therapists with tools to maintain clients’ safety during the session;
Help EMDR therapist to recognize and modulate clients’ Autonomic Nervous System activation; and
Present an EMDR Protocol to regulate Eye Contact
Keywords: Eye Contact Protocol Regulation Safety
Accuracy Verified: Yes
86. Silver, S. (2008, September). Shades of gray, Part II: Ethical issues for EMDR therapists. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Phoenix, AZ.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
EMDR Consultants face the challenging task of providing consultation to EMDR therapists so they can help those therapists understand the nature of ethical EMDR practice and then apply those principals within their practice. In addition, practicing EMDR consultation ethically carries its own challenges. This workshop will: explore the ethical principals that are especially uniquely relevant to EMDR consultation; discuss the meaning of ethical consultation for EMDR consultants; and describe strategies for facilitating ethical practice among their consultees. While participants will be asked to work within their own discipline’s ethical standards, the workshop will use the ethical code of the American Psychological Association as its reference point (because this is what EMDRIA utilizes when there is no ethical code that applies to a particular practitioner). Practitioners who are governed by an ethical code (e.g. nurses, social workers, marriage and family therapists) should review their own ethical codes prior to coming to the workshop.
Keywords: Ethics
Accuracy Verified: Yes
87. Puk, G., & Silver, S. (1997, October). Some lessons learned in the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program intervention in the Balkans. Behavior Online. Retrieved http://www.behavior.net/forums/evolutionary/1998/27-user=&email=&depth=8&detail=description&lastread=5-8.htm 6/10/1998.
Language: English
Format: Other
Abstract:
Mental health professionals have been trained in using EMDR with trauma victims throughout the world. However, the EMDR-Humanitarian Assistance Program (EMDR-HAP) was formed in 1995 as a nonprofit organization to provide assistance and training to local mental health professionals/psychotherapists within the United States and internationally who are managing the nearly overwhelming task of providing psychotherapy to the victims of large scale traumatic events. This includes natural disasters, e.g.: earthquakes, floods, firestorms, hurricanes; military personnel and civilians in war zones; victims of large scale accidents, e.g.: the family members of the victims of TWA flight #800; and victims of sexual assault and terrorist acts, e.g.: the Oklahoma City bombing. The EMDR-HAP personnel have been trainers and group facilitators from the EMDR Institute who have volunteered their time and expertise to provide treatment and to train local mental health professionals in EMDR.
Keywords: Balkans ERMDR-HAP EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program
Accuracy Verified: Yes
88. Brink, A. (2006). Spiritualität in der traumatherapie mit EMDR [Spirituality in trauma therapy with EMDR]. Institut für Traumatherapie. Retrieved from http://www.traumatherapie.de/users/brink/Spirituelle%20Aspekte.html on 11/16/2011.
Language: German
Format: Other
Abstract:
Allgemeine spirituellle Aspekte der Traumatherapie
Viktor Frankl entwickelte Ideen zu Psychotherapie und psychischer Gesundheit am
schrecklichsten Ort, den die Welt je sah: in einem Konzentrationslager der NS-Zeit. Seine
Schriften lesen sich gleidhwohl alles andere als schrecklich, todesnah oder morbide.
Vielmehr geht es um tiefe existentielle Fragen, die Frankl stellt und fur sich selbst voll
Glauben, ~i tmenschl ichdeiut nd spiritueller Einsicht beantwortet.
1st es ein Zufall, dass gelrade ein ~olocaust -~ber lebenddeer r Begrijnder der Logotherapie
ist, die die "Frage nach dem Sinn" (Frankl, 1985) zum obersten Gebot des "Sinn-voll
heilen" (1984) in der psychologischen Behandlung erhebt?
Ich denke nicht. Die Auseinandersetzung mit dem Trauma - dem eigenen wie dem anderer
- wirft vielmehr ganz voh selbst existentielle und spirituelle Fragen auf. Therapeuten wie
Patienten haben sich diesen zu stellen. Ich denke, von der Gute der Antwort auf die Frage
nach dem Sinn des schicksalhaften Leidens hangt die zukunftige Lebensqualitat eines
Traumatisierten ab.
Unsere therapeutische Aufgabe muss daher sein, gerneinsam mit dem Patienten eben diese
Fragen zu stellen und ihh auf der Suche nach einer befriedigenden Antwort zu begleiten.
Dabei nutzt es nichts, sith groOe Worte, wie sie in der Politik so leicht uber die Lippen
gehen, anzueignen, etwa von "innerem Frieden", von "Schuld und Suhne" bzw. von
"Unschuld" oder gar von "Vergebung" zu sprechen. Es zahlt nur das, was fuhlbar wird, was
als innere Erfahrung auf$teigt, was als "Eingebung", "Erleuchtung", "Gedankenblitz" oder
"innere Weisheit" aus delm Patienten selbst heraus entwickelt wird.
In der modernen Psychotherapieforschung werden diese therapeutischen Momente als
Therapieeinheiten mit bdsonders hoher Kongruenz (Grawe, 2005) beschrieben und damit
als anzustrebende Therapiegestaltung: "Je intensiver solche Erfahrungen der Kongruenz
sind, desto mehr wird sich sein [des Patienten] Inkongruenzniveau verringern mit all den
weit reichenden positiven Folgen, die sich aus den [...KIorrelationen zwischen
Verringerungen der Inko~ngruenzu nd klinischen Verbesserungen ergeben" (Grawe, 2005).
Hellinger (2003), verlangt als Abschluss seiner Familienaufstellungen stets das Erweisen
von Respekt, ja Versohnung und Vergebung - auch Eltern gegenuber, die ihr Kind
misshandelt, ignoriert, rrhissbraucht oder weggegeben haben.
Aus traumatheoretischer Sicht birgt dieses Vorgehen das Risiko einer erneuten
Traumatisierung. Ganz alnders, wenn derselbe Patient ganz von allein, aus seinem eigenen
Prozess heraus, zu einer Haltung der Vergebung finden kann: dann ist es mehr als eine
Genesung, ein wirkliches Ganz und Heil werden, ein groOer Schritt zu einern spirituellen
Bewusstsein.
Wie wir noch sehen werden, wird dieser Schritt durch EMDR haufig gefordert. Er Iasst sich
nicht erzwingen, aber ich durfte mehrfach Zeuge werden, wie er ganz von allein geschieht.
Zunachst aber kehren wir zu der Feststellung zuruck, dass die Auseinandersetzung mit den
spirituellen Seiten des Seins ihren festen Platz in der Traumatherapie hat.
Spiritual general aspects of trauma therapy Viktor Frankl developed ideas on psychotherapy and mental health in the most horrible place that the world has ever seen: in a concentration camp during the Nazi period. His papers read gleidhwohl anything but terrible, todesnah or morbid. The issue is deep existential questions that Frankl makes for himself and full of faith, i ~ nd tmenschl ichdeiut spiritual insight answered. 1st it a coincidence that Paddlewheel a ~ olocaust - ~ over lebenddeer r Begrijnder is of logotherapy, the "question of the meaning" (Frankl, 1985) the supreme command of the "cure sensible" (1984) in the psychological treatment does? I think not. Dealing with the trauma - their own as the others - quite the contrary voh throws himself on existential and spiritual questions. Therapists and patients have to face them. I think the best answer to the question of the meaning of the fatal disease depends the future Lebensqualitat from a traumatized. Our therapeutic task must be, therefore, like to make alone with the patient on this very issue and ihh to accompany the search for a satisfactory answer. It is no use sith Grooe words, as in politics go so easily over the lips, to appropriate to speak of such "inner peace", from "Crime and Suhner" or of "innocence" or even "forgiveness" . It pays only what is palpable, as the inner experience of what teigt $, which as "inspiration", "enlightenment", "mind flash" or "inner wisdom" is developed from delme patients themselves out. In modern psychotherapy research, these therapeutic moments as therapy sessions with bdsonders high congruence (Grawe, 2005) described and so as to be aimed at treatment planning: "The more such experiences of congruence, the greater will reduce his [the patient] Inkongruenzniveau far with all the reaching positive consequences arising from the [... KIorrelationen between reductions in Inko ngruenzu ~ nd clinical improvements result "(Grawe, 2005). Hellinger (2003), required as a conclusion of his family always lists the demonstration of respect, even reconciliation and forgiveness - to about parents who abused their child, ignored, have rrhissbraucht or given away. Trauma from a theoretical perspective this approach carries the risk of re-traumatization. All of ALND if the same patient come about solely from his own trial, may related to an attitude of forgiveness: it is more than a recovery, a true and full salvation to a einern groOer step spiritual awareness. As we shall see, this step by EMDR is often required. He Iasst force is not, but I could go back and witness how it happens all by itself. At first but we return back to the finding that the conflict is with the spiritual side of being a permanent place in trauma therapy.
Keywords: Spirituality Trauma Therapy
Accuracy Verified: Yes
89. Dieffenbach, I. (2010, June). TAFO study II (Task force) long-term evaluation of specific therapeutic early interventions following acute strain among children and adolescents with multiple trauma experience. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Hamburg, Germany.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Existing research into the after effects of
traumatic experiences with regard to children and adolescents
is scanty. Early intervention is intended to prevent or at least
reduce chronic manifestation of acute traumatic strain (Zehnder,
Hornung & Lanolt, 2006) since such strain has a negative
impact on the child's day-to-day quality of life and overall development, including the development and functioning of the
brain (Cohen, Perel, DeBellis, Friedman & Putnam, 2002).
Studies of multiple trauma among adults and adolescents have
shown that the severity of any impairment upon their psychological
health must be seen in relation to the number of traumatic experiences
that took place during childhood (Turner RJ, Lloyd DA
1995, Finkelhor D, Omrod RK, Turner HA 2007-1, Finkelhor D,
Omrod RK, Turner HA 2007-11, Holt MK. Finkelhor D, Kantor CK
2007). In this process, interpersonal traumatic experiences such
as accidents or severe illnesses can adversely affect development
as much as traumatic exposure connected to elements of crime.
Objectives: Interventions following acute traumatic strain will
be examined with regard to the symptoms and the mental
health of children and adolescents with multiple trauma experience
in the long term. The study will examine whether early
intervention has a positive effect on symptoms and whether
such effects are of a short or long-term nature.
The study should show whether gender specific and/or age
specific correlation can be identified in the development of
symptoms according to specific types of trauma, and whether
risk groups can be identified as a result.
The study will examine whether there exists an independent sub-group of children with multiple trauma under the age of 6,
whose symptoms correspond to a developmental trauma disorder
(van der Kolk 2005).
Methods: The study will be divided into a retrospective and
prospective part. The retrospective part will contain an examination of the treatment results of 150 children and adolescents
with multiple trauma experiences in the Vestische Children's
Clinic in Datteln between 2002 and 2009. This will be followed
by an evaluation of the treatment results by way of a newly
developed telephone catamnesis, based on validated questionnaires
(CRIES-13, ILK, Telekat) for measurement points TI-T3
Results: First results of the retrospective examination of children
and adolescents with multiple trauma experience will be presented
in comparison to the results of the evaluation of specific
therapeutic early interventions following acute strain among
children and adolescents with mono trauma experience.
Keywords: Acute Stress Adolescents Children Early Intervention Multiple Trauma Incidents Symposium TAFO
Accuracy Verified: Yes
90. Dieffenbach, I. (2009, June). TAFO study(Task Force): Evaluation of early in situ psychotraumatological intervention (named Task-force) for acutely traumatised children and adolescents in comparison to treatment on offer from outpatient clinics for victim protection. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Keywords: Poster Task Force
Accuracy Verified: Yes
91. van Uijen, S. L. (2010). Taxing working memory during memory recall and the startle reflex. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.
Language: English
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
A dual-task during recall of an emotional memory reduces its vividness and emotionality, which may be due to both tasks competing for limited working memory (WM) resources. The dose-response relationship between WM taxing during memory recall and its benefits was investigated. Additionally, the fear-potentiated startle reflex was measured to obtain more objective information about the expected decrease in vividness and emotionality. Participants recalled negative and positive memories while performing no dual-task, a moderately taxing dual-task (eye movements), or a very taxing dual-task (Tetris), after which vividness, emotionality and the startle reflex were measured. Compared to no dual-task, eye movements and Tetris similarly decreased image vividness and/or emotionality, and the startle reflex. The findings suggest a WM account of EMDR, which indicates that a concurrent task is beneficial because it taxes WM during memory recall; and that WM taxing during memory recall and its benefits are not linearly related.
Keywords: Intrusive memory Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Startle Reflex Working memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
92. de Heer, E. W., & Hoogeveen, E. M. (2009). Taxing working memory during recall of distressing memories with a counting task and EMDR benefits. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.
Language: English
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
Dit experiment is gebaseerd op de hypothese dat de omvang van de EMDR-effecten kritisch hangt af van de mate waarin het werkgeheugen (WM) is belast tijdens het ophalen. De deelnemers deden herinneren aan pijnlijke herinneringen tijdens het uitvoeren van een van de twee afleidende taken (terugtellend met stappen van 2 of 7), het ene meer, afhankelijk van WM dan de andere. Hoe meer WM was belast, de grotere verlagingen van de levendigheid en emotionaliteit werden verwacht. De uitkomsten werden vergeleken met een controle conditie. Terugtellend met stappen van 2 of 7, terwijl we een verontrustende autobiografisch geheugen in het achterhoofd, verlaagt de emotionaliteit van het geheugen dat met name in vergelijking met het tellen van helemaal geen. De verlaging van de 7's staat, echter niet significant afwijken van de verlaging van de eenvoudige (dwz 2's) staat. Kortingen voor levendigheid werden niet gevonden. Deze resultaten ondersteunen het werkgeheugen account. Er is echter meer onderzoek nodig om de dosis-respons relatie tussen WM-load en EMDR-effecten en tot een beter begrip van de elementaire onderdelen van EMDR te krijgen verklaren.
This experiment is based upon the hypothesis that the magnitude of the EMDR effects critically depends on the degree to which working memory (WM) is taxed during retrieval. Participants did recall distressing memories while performing one of two distracting tasks (counting backwards with steps of 2 or 7); the one more depending on WM than the other. The more WM was taxed, the larger reductions in vividness and emotionality were expected. The outcomes were compared to a control condition. Counting backwards with steps of 2 or 7, while holding a distressing autobiographical memory in mind, decreases the emotionality of that particular memory compared to no counting at all. The reduction in the 7’s condition, however, did not differ significantly from the reduction in the simple (i.e. 2’s) condition. Reductions for vividness were not found. These results do support the working memory account. However, more research is needed to explain the dose-response relation between WM-load and EMDR-effects and to get a better understanding of the elementary components in EMDR.
Keywords: Retrieval Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
93. Engelhard, I. M., van den Hout, M. A., & Smeets, M. A. (2011, March). Taxing working memory reduces vividness and emotional intensity of images about the queen's day tragedy. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 42(1), 32-37. doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2010.09.004.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Eye movements during exposure to distressing mental images reduce their vividness and emotional intensity, which may be due to both tasks competing for working memory (WM) resources. WM theory predicts an inverted U-shaped relationship between degree of taxing and beneficial effects: greater taxing of WM will more greatly reduce vividness/emotionality, but extremely taxing tasks prevent holding the image in mind, thereby reducing benefits. This study examined whether mental arithmetic (subtraction) tasks during visual imagery reduce image vividness/emotionality ratings, and taxing WM and reduced vividness/emotionality show the predicted quadratic relationship. A non-clinical sample retrieved a distressing image of the Queen's Day tragedy (which occurred 1-3 months earlier in the Netherlands), and rated it for vividness and emotionality. Participants were assigned to one of four conditions: exposure alone or exposure with concurrent 'simple' subtraction, 'intermediate' subtraction, or 'complex' subtraction. Afterwards, vividness and emotionality were rated again. A reaction time task showed that the subtraction tasks increasingly taxed WM. Consistent with WM theory, exposure with subtraction reduced image vividness and emotionality compared to exposure alone. The expected inverse U-curve relationship was found for emotionality, but not for vividness: simple or intermediate subtraction had more beneficial effects than no dual-task or complex subtraction. Clinical implications are discussed.
Keywords: Emotionality Vividness
Accuracy Verified: Yes
94. Greenwald, R. (1994). The therapeutic relationship and EMDR. EMDR Network Newsletter, 4(1), 10-11.
Language: English
Format: Newsletter
Abstract:
Given the diversity of the therapists
who are interested in EMDR, an old
debate may be fruitfully revived. Does
therapy consist of task-oriented collaborative
consultation and guidance,
or is the negotiation of the therapeutic
relationship itself the primary task?
To the extent that EMDR may constitute
a new treatment context, the role
of the therapeutic relationship in
EMDR treatment is of particular interest.
How much of EMDR is inside
the client, and how much is between
the client and the therapist? Is successful
EMDR simply a function of the client's (guided) internal processing,
or is it somehow dependent upon the
quality of the therapeutic relationship,
or is it both.
Keywords: Therapeutic Relationship
Accuracy Verified: Yes
95. Crudele, B. (2012, November 16). Touch, sound and light help heal inner wounds. Marine Corps Times. Retrieved from http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/article/20121126/NEWS/211260306/Touch-sound-and-light-help-heal-inner-wounds 4/9/2013.
Language: English
Format: Newspaper
Abstract:
EMDR therapy, recognized by the Defense Department as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD, includes image exposure, desensitization, cognitive processing, assessment, psychoeducation and coping strategies, according to the Naval Center for Combat & Operational Stress Control.
During each session, patients are asked to recall a traumatic event and identify the positive and negative feelings associated with the event. Repetitive exercises including bilateral eye movements, with simultaneous bilateral sounds through headphones and tapping sensations in the palms, are provided to stimulate both hemispheres of the brain.
The most common task is side-to-side eye movements, allowing the patient to focus on the provider's moving finger or a light bar. The exercises are conducted for each traumatic event until the patient reassesses or recalibrates his level of emotional distress. [Excerpt]
Keywords: Military Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Veterans
Accuracy Verified: Yes
96. González-Brignardello, M. P., & Vázquez, A. M. M (2004). Tratamiento de un caso de trastorno por estrés postraumático con EMDR dentro de un marco cognitivo-conductual [Intervention in a case of post-traumatic stress disorder with EMDR within a cognitive behavioral setting]. Cliníca y Salud, 15(3), 337-354.
Language: Spanish
Format: Journal
Abstract:
En este trabajo se describe el tratamiento de la mujer víctima de 03.11 ataques terroristas que habían desarrollado un trastorno de estrés postraumático y depresión mayor. Técnicas de EMDR, la exposición en vivo, higiene del sueño y la planificación de tareas, se utilizaron entre otras técnicas terapéuticas. Hasta ahora, los objetivos terapéuticos han logrado los siguientes: disminución de volver a experimentar e hiper-activación, la restauración del estado de ánimo, afecta a la expresión de recuperación y una mejor concentración y memoria. Dado que el paciente tuvo que hacer frente a un factor estresante vida pre-existente relacionada con el trabajo, el tratamiento fue suspendido temporalmente y se reanudará a este problema ha sido resuelto. Las diferentes etapas del tratamiento también se describen. (Registro de bases de datos PsycINFO (c) 2008 APA, todos los derechos reservados)
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This paper describes the treatment of female victim of 3/11 terrorist attacks who had developed a PTSD and a major depression. EMDR techniques, in vivo exposure, sleep hygiene and task planning, were used among other therapeutic techniques. So far, the following therapeutic goals have been achieved: decreasing re-experiencing and hyper-activation, mood restoration, affect expression recovering and improved concentration and memory. Since the patient had to tackle a pre-existing job-related life stressor, treatment was temporarily suspended and it will be resumed as this issue has been worked out. The different stages of treatment are also described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)
Keywords: Clinical Case Study Empirical Study Intervention Major Depression Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Psychotherapeutic Techniques PTSD Terrorism Victimization
Accuracy Verified: Yes
97. Zantvoord, J. (2012, November). Trauma focused psychotherapies from a neurodevelopmental perspective: fMRI and physiological pilot outcome data from a RCT conducted in the Netherlands with children suffering from PTSD. Symposium conducted at the 28th annual meeting of the ISTSS, Los Angeles, CA.
Language: English
Format: Conference
Abstract:
Neurobiological treatment outcome studies in adults with PTSD have shown that successful treatment is
associated with changes in activity of frontal brain areas and the amygdala, brain areas which are
involved in fear conditioning and extinction. Frontal brain regions undergo considerable maturation
during childhood and adolescence and only reach anatomical and functional maturity well within the
third decade of life. In this light, results obtained in neurobiological studies in adults can’t be readily
translated to children and adolescents. Neurobiological treatment outcome studies in children with
PTSD are thus required, yet are almost nonexistent to date. Neurobiological treatment outcome studies
addressing the mechanism involved in treatment response or non response can contribute to improve
treatment strategies for non responders especially for treatment non responders and in time help
clinicians to tailor treatment for individuals with PTSD.
In this part of the symposium we will present treatment outcome data of our neurobiological pilot study
conducted in children with PTSD in the Netherlands. Children aged 8 to 18 with PTSD were randomly
assigned to receive either 8 sessions of manualized Trauma Focus cognitive behavioral therapy or EMDR.
fMRI data of a working memory task with emotional distracters and physiological data obtained during
script driven imagery will be presented. Treatment outcome results will be placed in a
neurodevelopmental framework.
Keywords: Children, fMRI Netherlands Neurodevelopment Pilot Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Random Control Trial RCT
Accuracy Verified: Yes
98. Luber, M. (1992, Winter). Trauma/abuse memories with a client diagnosed with MPD. EMDR Network Newsletter, 2(3), 6-8.
Language: English
Format: Newsletter
Abstract:
Dissociation is the result of overwhelming trauma. The major feature of patients with Dissociative Disorders is a disturbance or alteration in the normally integrative functions of identity, memory, or consciousness (American Psychiatric Association, 1987). “The task of psychotherapy is to re-associate disrupted memory patterns, to restore a continuity of consciousness, and to assimilate the patient’s identity into a unified whole” (Steele, 1988, p. 151).
Keywords: Abuse Memories MPD Multiple Personality Disorder
Accuracy Verified: Yes
99. Bexson, T. (2003, April 28). Treating the child abusers. London, England: London Evening Standard, 26-27.
Language: English
Format: Newspaper
Abstract:
Child sex abuse is probably the most taboo subject in Britain despite the increased reporting and publicity given to it. And those who are involved with treating child sex offenders are inevitably faced with a difficult task, but there are rewards, not least protecting potential victims.
Keywords: Child Abuse London Perpetrators Treatment
Accuracy Verified: Yes
100. Institute of Medicine, Committee on Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (2008). Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: An assessment of the evidence. The National Academies Press, Washington, D. C. Retrieved from http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11955.html on 1/16/2009.
Language: English
Format: Other
Abstract:
This report was commissioned by the Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) to assess the scientific evidence on treatment modalities for Posttraumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD). Reviewing the PTSD treatment
literature dating back to 1980, the year the disorder was first defined
by
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association,
proved to be a challenging task. Assessing the outcomes of treatment
depends entirely upon the self-report of those affected, without “objective”
measures such as laboratory tests or imaging. Treatment modalities
and research methods used in their evaluation have been in continuous
development. The last 30 years have also seen dramatic changes in the way
scientific evidence has been assessed in general with emerging international
standards for conducting systematic qualitative and quantitative reviews
that are quite different from the methods used in the 1980s when research
on the treatment of PTSD began.
In applying a rigorous approach to the assessment of evidence that
meets today’s standards, the committee identified significant gaps in the
evidence that made it impossible to reach conclusions establishing the
efficacy
of most treatment modalities. This result was unexpected and may
surprise VA and others interested in the disorder. Important treatment
decisions for most modalities will need to be made without a strong body of evidence meeting current standards (the committee summarizes clinical
practice guidelines developed by others in the face of this scientific uncertainty).
This overall conclusion of scientific inadequacy is not a clinical
practice recommendation or guideline. It is also not a judgment on the quality
of the research in this field using methods acceptable at the time. The
overall conclusion also adds urgency to the committee’s recommendations
for a more strategic research effort that defines the relevant populations
and subpopulations; develops and tests treatment modalities alone and in
combination, in individual and group formats (for psychotherapy), and of
various intensities and durations; uses the latest and most rigorous methods
for designing and executing study protocols; and follows all study participants
through the end of treatment and for meaningful periods thereafter.
The committee was also struck by the scant evidence exploring some of
the possibly unique aspects of PTSD in veterans. For the most part we cannot
say whether the treatment of PTSD in veterans should be the same as in
civilians, and whether important subpopulations of veterans defined by age,
sex, trauma type, socioeconomic status, educational level, comorbidities,
and brain injury should be treated the same or differently.
The committee could only conclude that well-designed research is
needed to answer the key questions regarding the efficacy of treatment
modalities in veterans. Success will depend on the collaboration of VA and
other government agencies, researchers, clinicians, and patient and veterans’
groups and will further require the continued support and attention of
policymakers and the public. The individuals returning from current conflicts
and now re-entering civilian life with this disorder deserve no less.
Alfred O. Berg, Chair
The committee concludes that the evidence is inadequate to determine
the efficacy of the following psychotherapy modalities in the treatment
of PTSD:
• EMDR
• cognitive restructuring
• coping skills training [Extracted from p. 9).
Keywords: Posttraumtic Stress Disorder PTSD
Accuracy Verified: Yes
101. Committee on Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Institute of Medicine (2008). Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: An assessment of the evidence. National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine(IOM), Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press.
Language: English
Format: Publication
Abstract:
This report was commissioned by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assess the
scientific evidence on treatment modalities for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Reviewing
the PTSD treatment literature dating back to 1980, the year the disorder was first defined by the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, proved to be a
challenging task. Assessing the outcomes of treatment depends entirely upon the self-report of
those affected, without “objective” measures such as laboratory tests or imaging. Treatment
modalities and research methods used in their evaluation have been in continuous development.
The last 30 years have also seen dramatic changes in the way scientific evidence has been
assessed in general with emerging international standards for conducting systematic qualitative
and quantitative reviews that are quite different from the methods used in the 1980s when
research on the treatment of PTSD began.
Keywords: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD
Accuracy Verified: Yes
102. Chambless, D.L., Sanderson, W.C., Shoham, V., Bennett Johnson, S., Pope, K.S., Crits-Christoph, P., Baker, M., Johnson, B., Woody, S.R., Sue, S., Beutler, L., Williams, D.A., & McCurry, S. (1996). An update on empirically validated therapies. The Clinical Psychologist, 49, 5-18.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
In 1995 the Division 12 Task Force on Promotion and
Dissemination of Psychological Procedures published its
report in this journal. A major focus of that report was
increasing training in psychological interventions that have
been supported in empirical research by making clinical
psychologists and students more aware of these treatments
and facilitating training opportunities. To provide the basis
for a survey on the degree to which clinical programs and
internships were currently providing training in empirically
supported therapies, the task force constructed a list of
examples of treatments meeting criteria for efficacy as
established by the task force.
Based on feedback that members of the profession found
this list of interventions to be very useful in training and
clinical work, while also recognizing its very incomplete
basis, the Division 12 board charged the succeeding task
force (Task Force on Psychological Interventions), appointed
in succession by Presidents Martin Seligman and Gerald
Koocher, with adding to this preliminary list on an annual
basis. This is one purpose of the current report. In
addition, we raise several issues about the use and
limitations of empirically supported treatments as currently
identified. In keeping with the practice established by the
first task force, the members of the group who constructed
the present report are diverse in theoretical orientation and
work in a variety of settings -- psychology departments,
medical schools, and private practice.
Accuracy Verified: Yes
103. Lilley, S. A., Andrade, J., Turpin, G., Sabin-Farrell, R., & Holmes, E. A. (2009, September). Visuospatial working memory interference with recollections of trauma. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 48(3), 309–321. doi:10.1348/014466508X398943.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
Objectives: Laboratory research using a working memory framework has shown
modality-specific reductions in image vividness and emotionality when concurrent tasks
are performed while maintaining the image in consciousness. We extended this
research to trauma images in a clinical population awaiting treatment for post-traumatic
stress symptoms.
Design: A within-subjects design was used, with each participant completing an
imagery task under three concurrent task conditions: side-to-side eye-movements,
counting, and exposure only (no concurrent task).
Methods: Eighteen participants selected three images each, the images being those
that were the most distressing from participants’ trauma memories and most likely to
intrude involuntarily. Participants gave baseline ratings of the vividness and emotionality
of each of their trauma images. Each image was assigned to a condition. Each condition
comprised 8 trials in which participants recollected the appropriate image for 8 s while
performing eye-movements, counting or no concurrent task, and then rated its
vividness and emotionality. Follow-up ratings were obtained by telephone 1 week later.
Results: The eye-movement task reduced vividness and emotionality of the trauma
images relative to the counting task and exposure only, but did so only during the
imagery period and not at follow-up. The images were predominantly visual.
Conclusions: Concurrent tasks matched to the modality of trauma images may
provide a useful treatment aid for temporarily dampening emotional responses to
recollections of trauma.
Keywords: Trauma Memory Visuospatial Working Memory Interference
Accuracy Verified: Yes
104. Muramoto, K. (2001, September). Women's trauma and healing in Japanese culture. Union Institute, Cincinnati, OH. AAT 3007972.
Language: English
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
This dissertation explores the reality of women's trauma and the effective treatment for traumatized women in Japanese culture. Current research on PTSD supports the universality of many of the biologically determined components of PTSD experiences, while the importance of considering the cultural aspect of trauma is also stressed. Key research questions were: Can PTSD and trauma-related disorders be diagnosed in Japanese women? To what degree are the trauma theory and treatment methods from the West applicable to Japanese women? The primary research method was a literature review supplemented by interviews with Japanese clinicians and reflections on the author's experience as a psychotherapist.In Japan, the interest in trauma has been rapidly growing in the 1990s, particularly after the year 1995 when the Great Hanshin (Kobe) Earthquake happened. The developing statistics of women's trauma in Japan signify a serious problem to women's mental health, as is found in United States. Although the literature is limited yet, the research indicated that Japanese women suffer almost the same symptoms of PTSD and other trauma-related symptoms as women in the U.S. One distinctive characteristic is that Japanese people tend to complain of physical pain rather than psychological symptoms. The assessment and treatment procedures for traumatized women were not studied enough in Japan. The author illustrated the effective assessment and treatment plan for Japanese women as an example. The Western trauma theories and treatment methods are applicable to Japanese women, requiring some additional devices. Supportive psychotherapy and EMDR seem to be prevalent approaches at present. Creative art therapy and body-centered approaches have the potential to be effective in Japanese culture. Vicarious traumatization in mental health professionals is becoming a serious problem in Japan, too. The author also paid attention to multigenerational trauma in Japanese society. The trauma caused by World War II is reviewed in an effort to suggest the enormity of the task we have in dealing with trauma. It is time for Japanese people to resolve multigenerational trauma so as to stop continuous trauma and to take care of traumatized people. [Author Abstract]
Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering. 62(3-B), Sep 2001, pp. 1591.
Keywords: Adults Cross Cultural Assessment Cross Cultural Treatment Diagnostic Validity Empirical Study Females Japanese Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Stressors Survivors
Accuracy Verified: Yes
105. Altink, A. J. A., van Terwisga, P., Helms, F. D. G., & Oostenbroek, S. H. (2012). Word tracking task as an alternative to horizontal eye movements in the reduction of vividness and emotionality of aversive memories in EMDR. Social Cosmos, 3(2), 185-199.
Language: English
Format: Journal
Abstract:
When treating a patient with PTSD, therapists often use eye movement desensitization and
reprocessing (EMDR). In EMDR patients make horizontal eye movements (HEM) while the
image of a traumatic memory is recalled. Various studies showed that making HEM during recall
of an aversive memory results in a decline in vividness and emotionality of this memory. This
study aimed to create an alternative task that would be less physically demanding for the
therapist than applying HEM. This task should, according to the working memory (WM)
hypothesis, tax the WM as much as HEM. To accomplish this goal, a word-tracking task (WTT)
was created in which an oval that moved over a matrix with color-words had to be followed with
the eyes. Experiment I showed that the WTT taxes WM, though not as much as HEM. In
experiment II, both the WTT and HEM resulted in a decrease in vividness and emotionality of an
aversive memory. The results obtained raise questions about a supposed linear relationship
between the WM-taxing and EMDR-efficacy of tasks. Further investigation of this relationship is
recommended. Also recommended is further study in a clinical population. The WTT seems to
be a good alternative for horizontal eye movements in EMDR.
Keywords: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
106. van der Wielen, J. W. (2012). The working mechanism of eye movements: Dual-tasking or task switching?. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.
Language: Dutch
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
Keywords: Eye movements Task Switching Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes
107. Maxfield, J. L. (2003). A working memory analysis of the dual attention component of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada. AAT NQ85018.
Language: English
Format: Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract:
This dissertation applied the concepts and predictions of working memory theory to a psychotherapeutic approach, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The overview of EMDR included a description of the treatment, theoretical model, empirical studies, and possible mechanisms of action. The overview of working memory included a summary of concepts and theories, and a comprehensive research review. Seven studies that investigated the related effects of eye movements (EMs) were described in detail. Two experiments were conducted to test predictions from working memory research about the effect of EMs on autobiographical memory. In both Experiments, participants identified 3 negative memories and focused on each for 2 minutes, while simultaneously engaging in 1 of 3 divided attention (DA) conditions: an easy EM task (Slow-EM), a difficult EM task (Fast-EM), and a task with no EM (Control). Measures were pre-post ratings of memory-related image vividness, thought clarity, and emotional intensity. In Experiment 2, participants were also randomly assigned to a focus on image-only or image-thought. Memory recall during Control resulted in significant post-condition increases in all measures, except emotional intensity in Experiment 1. Compared to Control, recall during both Slow-EM and Fast-EM produced significantly smaller scores for image vividness and thought clarity, and, in Experiment 2, for emotional intensity. At post-condition, Fast-EM resulted in significantly lower scores than Slow-EM for image vividness in both Experiments and emotional intensity in Experiment 2. There were no differences in outcomes between focus on image-only and on image-thought. Findings of the current experiments supported a working memory explanation for the effects on visual and thought clarity. The competition of resources during simultaneous EM and memory recall reduced memory quality. The greater degradation of memory components resulting from the more difficult condition, Fast-EM, may be attributed to demands made on visuospatial sketchpad resources. The components of each memory appeared to be linked and to show similar patterns of change, within conditions. Reported levels of pre-task emotional intensity did not predict change in thought clarity and image vividness. Finally, a theoretical application of working memory theory to EMDR was presented and recommendations were made for future research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)
Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering. 64(10-B), 2004, pp. 5225.
Keywords: Attention Dual Attention Component Empirical Study Eye Movements Short-Term Memory Working Memory
Accuracy Verified: Yes