Francine Shapiro Library - EMDR Bibliography Links

 

 

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1. Maxfield, L. (2003, September). A working memory explanation for the effects of EMs in EMDR. In N. Smyth (Chair), Recent research evaluating the role of eye movements in EMDR. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Denver.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Research has consistently demonstrated that performance is degraded when participants engage in two simultaneous tasks that require the same working memory resources. This study tested predictions from working memory theory to investigate the effects of eye movement (EM) on the components of autobiographical memory. In two experiments, 24 and 36 participants, respectively, focused on negative memories while engaging in three dual-attention EM tasks of increasing complexity. Compared to No- EM, Slow-EM and Fast-EM produced significantly decreased ratings of image vividness, thought clarity, and emotional intensity, and the more difficult Fast-EM resulted in larger decreases than did Slow-EM. The effects on emotional intensity were not consistent, with some preliminary evidence that a focus on memory-related thought might maintain emotional intensity during simple dual-attention tasks (Slow-EM, No-EM). The findings of our experiments support a working memory explanation for the effects of EM dual-attention tasks on autobiographical memory. Implications for understanding the mechanisms of action in EMDR are discussed.

Keywords: EMs  Eye Movements  Working Memory  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

2. Sime, W., (2002). Absorption, concentration, dissociation, desensitization, flow and neurofeedback: The essence of Tiger Woods performing optimally focused "In the zone". Winter Brain Meeting.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
The Absorption that allows an athlete, a surgeon, an astronaut or a musician to get into the Zone, i.e., to block out all distractions unrelated to performance has been assessed by Tellegen, Csikszentmihalyi and others in self-report measures. It occurs relatively rarely at the very highest levels and is very elusive to achieve. Qualitatively speaking, it is the phenomena of being totally immersed in the activity with time moving slowly, senses being sharpened, but pain not recognized. Thoughts and images are clear and controllable while physical performance seems effortless and automatic. To measure this phenomenon accurately and completely is not possible in a dynamic state, but to shape it's appearance and to extend duration is essential in finite psychomotor skills like golf. Physical preparation for performance is mentally grueling and fatiguing. If often results in trance-like, dis-associative and sometimes dissociative states where depersonalization is a valuable technique to block out the intense suffering and pain associated with running, swimming or bicycling. The difficulty in sport is being able to switch in and out of full alertness for some strategic tasks while remaining in the dissociative state for endurance. The experience of flow, absorption and being in the zone is to harness power and ultimately unleash explosive yet finely titrated effort. Concentration is the umbrella concept that also encompasses EMDR. The process of actively shifting eye focus from left to right while striving to hold an image or statement of emotionality is exceedingly difficult and ultimately beyond control. The combination of EMDR with neurofeedback is an innovative intervention that holds potential for greater impact in removing negative images of failed effort or in solidifying the recall of a successful effort. The neurofeedback serves to reinforce the development of greater mental stamina toward intensively focus comparable to zooming in a camera lens thus blocking out distractions and irrelevant stimuli. Enhanced quality of visualization is the desired outcome for the performance enhancement sport psychology consultant and his/her client.

Keywords: Absorption  Concentration  Dissociation  Desensitization  Flow  Neurofeedback  Performance Enhancement  Tiger Woods  The Zone  

Accuracy Verified: No

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

Language: English

Format: Journal

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

Keywords: Attentional Bias  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

6. Keller, B., Stevens, L. C., Boyce, K., Lui, C., & Murray, J. (2011). Bilateral eye movements and EEG coherence during positive memories: Implications for PTSD and EMDR. Presentation at the American Psychological Association Conference, Washington, DC.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of bilateral eye movements in the processing of long-term emotional memories, especially as it pertains to the treatment method for PTSD known as EMDR. EMDR utilizes methods similar to cognitive therapy and exposure but also employs saccadic eye movements to facilitate the treatment. The saccadic eye movements are theorized by Shapiro and others to decrease emotional valence and vividness of episodic memories allowing for easier reprocessing. There remains some disagreement as to the actual role and importance of the saccadic eye movements as well as to the neurological effects of EMDR. This study used EEG power-spectral analysis and measures of interhemispheric coherence on 30 individuals who underwent one of three conditions while recalling positive episodic memories. The 3 conditions were (1) a solid black dot with no eye movement (control), (2) a low frequency color changing dot with no eye movement, and (3) a bilateral eye movement condition simulating EMDR. After a 5’ eyes-open baseline, participants experienced one of the three conditions while recalling a positive memory for five 1’ episodes. After each episode, each participant had 19-channel EEGs recorded while they stared ahead eyes opened. EEG data were noise artifacted, power spectral analyzed, and statistically analyzed for interhemispheric coherence differences between conditions for clusters of frontal pole (Fp), frontal (F), central (C), parietal (P), and occipital (O) electrodes. ANCOVA analysis of post-treatment coherence values, with baseline values as the covariate, across conditions showed significantly increased Low Beta (12-20Hz) activity in the Frontal region of the brain during the saccadic eye movements condition compared to the low frequency dot condition (p=.012). Also found were significantly increased Low Theta (4-6Hz) coherence values in the Parietal region of the brain in the low frequency dot condition compared to both the eye fixation (p=.017) and saccadic eye movement (p=.022) conditions. Self reports of memory clarity and vividness indicated significantly increased measures across all conditions. LORETA cortical localization analyses revealed Low Beta (12-20Hz) activation during the saccadic eye movements condition occurring primarily in Brodmanns Area 11 (BA11) and Brodmann Area 25 (BA25) and Low Theta (4-6Hz) activation during the low frequency dot condition focused in BA35 and BA36. LORETA neuroimages are presented. Cortical localizations of increased Low Beta interhemispheric coherence in BA11 (VentroMedial Frontal Cortex) and BA25 (Subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex) following bilateral eye movements during the recall of positive memories suggest a synchronization of information processing activities in parts of the frontal cortex involved in planning, reasoning, and decision making (11) and in verbal episodic memory retrieval (25). These functions are consistent with the assigned tasks of review of positive episodic memories in this study. Coincident with this pattern of cortical activation was an obtained increase in memory clarity and vividness during episodic memory retrieval. It is possible that the obtained effects on beta activity were an artifact of eye movements; however, the lack of significantly increased signal coherence at the Fp region and the removal of eye movement artifacts prior to data analysis reduce this possibility. These results provide support for an Interhemispheric Coherence Model as an explanation for the positive effects of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing of retrieved memories. Additionally, these outcomes suggest that it is the saccadic eye movements, not a repetition of a rhythmic stimulus, that elicits the changes in interhemispheric coherence, and possibly in emotional valence and vividness, highlighting the importance of saccadic eye movements in EMDR.

Keywords: Bilateral Stimulation  EEG Coherence  Eye Movements: Positive Memories  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: No

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. Gersons, B. (2013, June). Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD (BEP). Presentation at the 13th annual conference for the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS), Bologna, Italy.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD (BEP) is a trauma-focused treatment which has been shown to be equally effective for the treatment of PTSD as CBT/PE and EMDR. It is the treatment of choice if there is a need not only for decreasing anxiety but also for learning how the traumatic event has changed one's life and view on the world. It has been developed as a 16-session treatment manual for PTSD when CBT and EMDR were not available (www.traumatreatment.eu). BEP consists of (1) psychoeducation, together with a partner or close friend; (2) imaginal exposure preceded by relaxation exercises, focused on catharsis of emotions of grief and helplessness; (3) writing tasks to express aggressive feelings and use of mementos; (4) domain of meaning, focused on learning from the trauma, oneself and the world; (5) farewell ritual, to end treatment. The BEP-protocol has proved to be effective in randomized controlled trials. Also psychobiological recovery has been demonstrated. In the workshop the different elements of BEP will be outlined and taught, also using a DVD. Similarities and differences between CBT and EMDR will be presented. To summarize, CBT, EMDR and BEP are equally effective in reducing PTSD by different forms of exposure. BEP also offers essential learning from the traumatizing events based on psychodynamic insights and stimulates posttraumatic growth. Clinical cases will be discussed.

Keywords: BEP  Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

9. Gersons, B. (2011, June). Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD (BEPP). Preconference presentation at the 12th annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Vienna, Austria.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD (BEPP) is a trauma-focused treatment which has shown to be equally effective for the treatment of PTSD as CBT/PE and EMDR. It is the treatment of choice if there is need for not only decreasing anxiety but also for learning from the traumatic how it has changed one's life and view on the world. It has been developed as a 16-session treatment manual for PTSD when CBT and EMDR were not available (www.traumatreatment.eu). BEPP consists of (1) psychoeducation, together with a partner or close friend; (2) imaginal exposure preceded by relaxation exercises, focused on catharsis of emotions of grief and helplessness; (3) writing tasks to express aggressive feelings and use of mementos; (4) domain of meaning, focused on learning from the trauma, oneself and the world; (5) farewell ritual, to end treatment. The BEPP -protocol in RCT 's has proofed to be effective. Also psychobiological recovery has been demonstrated. In the Workshop the different elements of BEPP will be outlined and trained, also with DVD. Similarities and differences with CBT and EMDR will be presented. To summarize, CBT, EMDR and BEPP are equal effective in reducing PTSD by different forms of exposure. BEPP also offers essential learning from the traumatizing events based on psychodynamic insights and stimulates posttraumatic growth. Cases of participants will be discussed.

Keywords: BEPP  Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy  Posttraumatic Stress Disosder  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

10. Gersons, B. (2011, June). Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for PTSD (BEPP). Pre-conference presentation at the 12th European Conference on Traumatic Stress (ECOTS), Vienna, Austria.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD (BEPP) is a trauma-focused treatment which has shown to be equally effective for the treatment of PTSD as CBT/PE and EMDR. It is the treatment of choice if there is need for not only decreasing anxiety but also for learning from the traumatic how it has changed one's life and view on the world. It has been developed as a 16-session treatment manual for PTSD when CBT and EMDR were not available (http://www.traumatreatment.eu/). BEPP consists of (1) psychoeducation, together with a partner or close friend; (2) imaginal exposure preceded by relaxation exercises, focused on catharsis of emotions of grief and helplessness; (3) writing tasks to express aggressive feelings and use of mementos; (4) domain of meaning, focused on learning from the trauma, oneself and the world; (5) farewell ritual, to end treatment. The BEPP -protocol in RCT 's has proofed to be effective. Also psychobiological recovery has been demonstrated. In the Workshop the different elements of BEPP will be outlined and trained, also with DVD. Similarities and differences with CBT and EMDR will be presented. To summarize, CBT, EMDR and BEPP are equal effective in reducing PTSD by different forms of exposure. BEPP also offers essential learning from the traumatizing events based on psychodynamic insights and stimulates posttraumatic growth. Cases of participants will be discussed.

Keywords: BEPP  Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

11. Gersons, B. (2011, June). Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for PTSD (BEPP). PreConference presentation at the 27nd annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Vienna, Austria.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD (BEPP) is a trauma-focused treatment which has shown to be equally effective for the treatment of PTSD as CBT/PE and EMDR. It is the treatment of choice if there is need for not only decreasing anxiety but also for learning from the traumatic how it has changed one's life and view on the world. It has been developed as a 16-session treatment manual for PTSD when CBT and EMDR were not available (www.traumatreatment.eu). BEPP consists of (1) psychoeducation, together with a partner or close friend; (2) imaginal exposure preceded by relaxation exercises, focused on catharsis of emotions of grief and helplessness; (3) writing tasks to express aggressive feelings and use of mementos; (4) domain of meaning, focused on learning from the trauma, oneself and the world; (5) farewell ritual, to end treatment. The BEPP -protocol in RCT 's has proofed to be effective. Also psychobiological recovery has been demonstrated. In the Workshop the different elements of BEPP will be outlined and trained, also with DVD. Similarities and differences with CBT and EMDR will be presented. To summarize, CBT, EMDR and BEPP are equal effective in reducing PTSD by different forms of exposure. BEPP also offers essential learning from the traumatizing events based on psychodynamic insights and stimulates posttraumatic growth. Cases of participants will be discussed.

Keywords: BEPP  Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy  Posttraumatic Stress Disosder  PTSD  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

12. 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

13. 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

14. Litt, B. (2007). The child as identified patient: Integrating contextual therapy and EMDR. In F. Shaprio, F. W. Kaslow, & L. Maxfield (Eds.), Handbook of EMDR and family therapy processes (pp. 306-324). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Language: English

Format: Book Section

Abstract:
It is estimated that as many as 2% of children under age 12 and from 5% to 18% of adolescents suffer from a depressive disorder (Birmaher et al., 1996; Northey, Wells, Silverman, & Bailey, 2003) that will likely persist into adulthood (Northey et al., 2003; Wagner & Ambrosini, 2001). Contextual Therapy is a differentiation-based (e.g., Kerr & Bowen, 1988; Schnarch, 1991) approach in that it promotes self-determination in the face of family pressure for compliance, reliance on internal resources for self-validation rather than dependence on others for approval, and the overcoming of emotional discomfort in the interests of responsible action (Boszormenyi-Nagy & Krasner, 1986). Both the contextual approach and the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model predict that formative childhood experiences affect both psychological health and relational functioning. With its systemic paradigm and its ethical dimension of relationship, the contextual approach is complementary and additive to Shapiro's (2001) AIP model. The contextual approach shows the clinician where to look for the targets, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) provides the potency to transform the experience. A general structure of phase-oriented therapy can be described that accounts for most, if not all, referrals for treatment. An assessment phase, a contracting phase, and an intervention phase characterize the main tasks of the therapist. In practice, these phases may overlap, coincide, or repeat themselves over the course of minutes, weeks, or months. This chapter describes only those practices that are unique to the integrated approach. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved

Keywords: Adaptive Information Processing Model  Affective Disorders  Child Patients  Contextual Therapy  Depressive Disorder  Integrated Approach  Integrative Psychotherapy  Major Depression  Models  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

15. 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

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. 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

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

Language: English

Format: Conference

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

Keywords: Dreaming  Reading  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

19. Phillips, M. (2007, September). Die Kraft einer flexiblen integrativen Traumatherapiedie Vereinigung von Ego- State-, Hypno-, Energie- und EMDRPsychotherapie [Energizing self through ego-state therapy, EMDR, and energy psychology methods]. Vortrag im Rahmen der Ersten Europäischer Kongress für Energie-Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Heidelberg, Deutschland.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Mit großer Freude kann ich dieses „Highlight“ mit der international führenden Spezialistin der Trauma- Therapie, von Dissoziationsstörungen und auch der Schmerz- Therapie ankündigen. Maggie Phillips gilt ja schon seit vielen Jahren als eine der besten und erfahrensten SpezialistInnen der Ego-State- Therapie. Ihr "Handbuch der Hypnotherapie bei posttraumatischen und dissoziativen Störungen" (zusammen mit C. Frederick) gilt als eines der maßgeblichsten Werke in diesem Feld. Als einer der ersten ExpertInnen weltweit wies sie aber auch immer wieder darauf hin, dass gerade für den Bereich multipler posttraumatischer und dissoziativer Störungen der Zugang mit einer Methode häufig nicht ausreicht. In beeindruckender Weise drückt ihr Werk "Finding the Energy to Heal: How EMDR, Hypnosis, TFT, & Body Focused Therapy Can Help Restore Mindbody Health (W.W. Norton, 2000)" ihre wunderbare Fähigkeit zum Ausdruck, unterschiedliche Konzepte zu einer sehr effektiven und flexiblen und dabei völlig konsistenten Gesamt- Interventionsmodell für diese schwierigen Aufgaben zu integrieren. Auch ihr neues Buch "Reversing Chronic Pain" verspricht alle Qualitäten für ein Meisterwerk. Wer mit ihr schon einmal gearbeitet hat oder sie in ihrer Arbeit erleben durfte, kann ihre große sehr achtungsvolle Haltung, Einfühlsamkeit und Kongruenz, gepaart mit geradezu virtuoser Fachkompetenz nur bestätigen.

It is with great pleasure that I can highlight to the world's leading specialist in trauma- Therapy, and also announce Dissoziationsstörungen of the pain therapy. Maggie Phillips is yes for many years as one of the best and most experienced specialists of the ego-state therapy. Their "Manual of hypnotherapy for post-traumatic and dissociative disorders" (with C. Frederick) is considered one of the most authoritative works in this field. As one of the first experts worldwide, it also repeatedly pointed out that especially for the Multiple range post-traumatic and dissociative disorders, access to a method frequently is not sufficient. In impressively expresses its work, "Finding the Energy to Heal: How EMDR, Hypnosis, TFT, & Body Focused Therapy Can Help Restore Mind Body Health (WW Norton, 2000), "her wonderful Ability to express different concepts in a very effective and flexible and in complete to integrate consistent overall model of intervention for these difficult tasks. Her new book, "Reversing Chronic Pain" promises all the qualities of a masterpiece. Anyone who has worked with her before, or could they experience in their work, may their very large respectful attitude, empathy and congruence, coupled with an almost virtuoso expertise only . Confirm

Keywords: Ego State Therapy  Energy Psychology  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

20. Tate, K. (2003). Does naturally occurring EMDR-like phenomena in the work environment increase employment risk for survivors of violent crimes?. Mental Health Santuary. Retrieved from http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/tate1.html on 3/29/2013.

Language: English

Format: Other

Abstract:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a controversial yet exciting therapy that assists many, including survivors of violent crimes to process their experiences so that they can move forward in their healing. The therapist deliberately stimulates left-right brain processing while facilitating an environment similar to that experienced while dreaming. It is particularly effective in treating people with post traumatic stress disorder. While this carefully constructed set of circumstances is beneficial in the hands of a qualified EMDR practitioner and in a safe environment, is it possible that the very factors which lead to healing in EMDR therapy present themselves unawares outside the clinical environment causing post-traumatic stress episodes? The actual triggers leading to a post traumatic stress episode vary, but perhaps upon inspection a naturally occurring commonality mimicking the EMDR phenomenon is present. Although eye movements are the most commonly used external stimulus employed by EMDR therapists, they also use auditory tones, tapping, or other types of tactile stimulation. Are there naturally occurring corollaries in the everyday environment which would make it difficult for a survivor of violent crime to function in their day to day duties? Are work tasks unknowingly triggering the beginnings of an EMDR session without the presence of an EMDR practitioner to facilitate the information processing? Is a post-traumatic stress response the result? Survivors of violent crimes are at high risk for employment. Does Naturally Occurring EMDR-Like Phenomena in the Work Environment Increase Employment Risk for Survivors of Violent Crimes?

Keywords: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  PSTD  Survivors  Violent Crimes  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

21. Hornsveld, H., & van den Hout, M. (2010, April). Een serie experimenten naar oogbewegingen en klikjes: Wat werkt beter? [A series of experiments on eye movements and clicks, what works better?]. Presentatie op de suxth congres van de Vereniging EMDR Nederlands, Nijmegen, Nederlands.

Language: Dutch

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Er zijn verschillende theorieën over de werkingsmechanismen van EMDR. De belangrijkste theorieën zullen kort worden toegelicht en het wetenschappelijk bewijs ervoor samengevat. Vervolgens zullen we een serie eigen experimenten presenteren: drie studies bij studenten en één studie bij PTSS- patiënten. In deze experimenten zullen oogbewegingen telkens worden vergeleken met andere taakjes of stimuli. Implicaties voor de theorievorming en voor de klinische praktijk zullen worden bediscussieerd tijdens de workshop aan de hand van stellingen. Exp 1 laat zien dat de positieve bevindingen voor oogbewegingen (ten opzichte van een controle conditie) ook gevonden worden bij negatieve herinneringen aan een verlieservaring. Dit geeft een empirische basis voor de suggestie dat EMDR ook zinvol toegepast kan worden bij gecompliceerde rouw. Exp 2 gaat over het werkgeheugen en een eventuele dosis respons relatie. Met andere woorden: geven taken die een grotere belasting voor het werkgeheugen vormen ook grotere SUD-dalingen? Exp 3 Laat zien dat de werkgeheugenbelasting van oogbewegingen veel groter is dan van de bekende koptelefoon met klikjes. Vervolgens vergelijken we de werkzaamheid van oogbewegingen, klikjes, en een controle-conditie bij studenten die negatieve herinneringen ophalen. Exp 4 is een klinische studie bij PTSS patiënten, waarbij we oogbewegingen, klikjes en controle (herinneringsbeeld zonder bilaterale stimulatie) met elkaar vergelijken. Verwacht wordt dat de eerste voorlopige data tijdens het congres beschikbaar zijn.
Hornsveld, H., Landwehr, F., Stein, W., Stomp, G., Smeets, M. &. van den Hout, M. (2010). Emotionality of loss-related memories is reduced after retrieval plus eye movements but not after retrieval plus music or retrieval only. Submitted.
Hout, M.A. van den, Engelhard, I.M., Rijkeboer, M., Koekebakker, J., Hornsveld, H. Toffolo, M., & Akse, N. (2010). Eye movements tax working memory, but binaural stimulation does not. Manuscript in preparation.
Hout, M.A. van den,, Engelhard, I., Smeets, M, Hornsveld, H., Hoogeveen, E., de Heer, E. & Rijkeboer, M. ( 2010). Counting during recall: taxing of working memory and reduced vividness and emotionality of negative memories. In press, Applied Cognitive Psychology.

There are several theories about the mechanisms of action of EMDR. The main theories will be briefly explained and summarized the scientific evidence before. Then we will present a series of own experiments: studies in three students and a study in PTSD patients. In these experiments will be compared with each eye movement or other minor assignments stimuli. Implications for theory and for clinical practice will be discussed during the workshop by means of propositions. Exp 1 shows that the positive findings for eye movements (compared to a control condition) also found associated with negative memories of a loss experience. This provides an empirical basis for the suggestion that EMDR is also useful can be used for complicated grief. Exp 2 is about memory and a possible dose response relationship. In other words, tasks that give a greater burden on working memory are also larger SUD decreases? Exp 3 Shows that the memory load of eye movements is much greater than the known Headphones clicks. Then we compare the efficacy of eye movements, clicks, and a control condition in which students negative memories. Exp 4 A clinical study in PTSD patients, we eye movements, clicks and control (memory image without bilateral stimulation) compared. It is expected that the preliminary data available at the conference.
Horn Field, H., Landwehr, F., Stein, W., Stump, G., Smeets, M. &. van den Hout, M. (2010). Emotionality or loss-related pleadings Reduced after retrieval plus eye movements but not after retrieval or retrieval plus music only. Submitted.
Wood, M.A. van den, Engelhard, IM, Rijkeboer, M., Koekebakker, J., Horn Field, H. Toffolo, M., & Akse, N. (2010). Eye movements tax working memory, but Does Not binaural stimulation. Manuscript in preparation.
Wood, M.A. van den, Engelhard, I., Smeets, M, Horn Field, H., Hoogeveen, E., Mr. E. Farmer & Rich, M. (2010). Counting consistently recall: Taxing of working memory and Reduced vivid ness and emotionality or negative statements. In press, Applied Cognitive Psychology.

Keywords: Eye Movements  Mechanism of Action  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

22. 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

23. Pastva, A. M. (2008). The effects of rhythmic and arrhythmic eye movements on memory recall. The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA..

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a therapy that treats many trauma-related disorders by requiring patients to perform rapid eye movements, has raised controversy because it lacks the support of a proven theoretical rationale. A recent theoretical explanation proposes that the eye movements reduce the vividness of the distressing images by disrupting the function of the visuospatial sketchpad (VSSP) of working memory, but support for this model has been weakened by methodological flaws that the current study attempted to overcome. The present study compared the effects of tracking rhythmic and arrhythmic stimuli on the recall of arousing television shock-ads. Eye-movement conditions did not significantly differ in terms of vividness, emotionality, or accuracy of memory as compared to the control condition. Arrhythmic targets increased the negative emotional response and decreased the vividness of the memories, but neither rhythmic nor arrhythmic target patterns produced responses that differed from the control condition. Heart rate recordings taken throughout the study did not suggest that arousal mediates the relationship between eye-movement patterns and vividness. The present study does not support the VSSP theory but provides valuable insights on the direction of future research.

Keywords: Eye  Memory  Visual perception  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

24. 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

25. 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

26. Schubert, S. (2010, July). The efficacy and psycho physiological correlates of dual-attention tasks in EMDR. Poster presented at the 1st EMDR Asia Conference, Bali, Indonesia.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Methods: 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 pre-treatment, 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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  Poster  Physiological Correlates  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

27. 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

28. Schubert, S. (2009, June). The efficacy and psychophysiological correlates of different dual attention tasks in EMDR. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Keywords: Dual Attention  Poster  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

29. Schubert, S. J., Lee, C. W., & Drummond, P. D. (2011, January). The efficacy and psychophysiological correlates of dual-attention tasks in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 25, 1-11. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.06.024.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the psychophysiological correlates and the effectiveness of different dual-attention tasks used during eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Sixty-two non-clinical participants with negative autobiographical memories received a single session of EMDR without eye movements, or EMDR that included eye movements of either varied or fixed rate of speed. Subjective units of distress and vividness of the memory were recorded at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 1 week follow-up. EMDR-with eye movements led to greater reduction in distress than EMDR-without eye movements. 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. Findings indicate that the eye movement component in EMDR is beneficial, and is coupled with distinct psychophysiological changes that may aid in processing negative memories.

Keywords: Eye Movements  Autobiographical Memory  Psychophysiology  Orienting Response  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

30. Cole, M. (2010, July). EMDR and metacognitive therapy: Same destination, different language. Poster presented at the 38th Annual Conference of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, Manchester, UK.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
The information processing model has been described in many different ways and is potentially the underlying process that describes the psychotherapy change process, regardless of orientation. In this poster I will briefly compare Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing and Meta-Cognitive Therapy in light of this information processing model and conclude that although they may use different language to describe their theories, a unifying information processing model describes both paradigms. Human beings are meaning making machines (Robbins, 2009). We give meaning to the world, the deeds we do and the interactions we have, as well as the more fundamental senses we experience (Frankl, 2004). Information arises either from external stimulus or internal process’s and this information goes through our filters where we delete, distort and generalise this information based on the rules created in our information processing unit (Fig 1). This information processing mechanism gives meaning to this filtered information and generates a response, this response interacts with this information and the cycle then repeats in a self regulatory manner. This process is repeated for everything we do; we are and continues until we die. Mental health issues arise when this self regulatory system fails to make a useful functional meaning of the information. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed by Francine Shapiro (1989) for the treatment of trauma memories and associated emotions, changing the meaning the person gives to their experiences. Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) was developed by Wells and Matthews (1984) as a way of defining the processes that underpin a range of psychological disorders. One of the features of psychological disorders such as anxiety or depression is that thinking becomes difficult to control and biased in particular ways that lead to a worsening and maintenance of emotional suffering. Many clients report that they feel that they have ‘lost control’ over their thoughts and behaviours. Another important feature is that the persons thinking and attention becomes fixed in patterns of brooding and dwelling on the self and threatening information. Both EMDR and MCT describe an information management/processing system that organises and carries out various tasks such as how to open a door, how to get dressed, how to be anxious, how to respond to a trauma memory Both therapies appear to change this system / process to something that is much more adaptive for the client, as if they change the master information management control programme that runs this system, in the same way a conductor influences the orchestra and the music they produce. Both models describe the same process, although they utilise different language to describe this change process. Perhaps a change of focus for the development of pychotherapy towards more process change models rather than content change interventions.

Keywords: Metacognitive Therapy  Poster  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

31. Spierings, J. J. (1999). EMDR and mourning. New Hope, PA:  EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs.

Language: English

Format: Book

Abstract:
This manual is based on presentations given by Dr. Spierings. Specific topics are covered, such as the definitions, phases and tasks of handling the normal mourning process. Also included are topics based on clinical indicators, high risk factors and protocols for the complicated mourning process. [EMDR-HAP]

Keywords: Grief  Mourning  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

32. Spierings, J. (2000, May 6). EMDR and mourning. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Utrecht, Netherlands.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
This presentation consists of the following two parts:
I. The normal mourning process:
Defintions, phases, mourning tasks and characteristics
General treatment principles, EMDR and other treatment techniques
Therapeutic attitude and your own grief reactions as a therapist
II. The complicated mourning process:
Definitions, high-risk factors, diagnostic criteria and clinical indicators
Patterns of complicated mourning
For each pattern: specialized treatment techniques, EMDR protocols and treatment plans

Keywords: Complicated Grief  Grief  Mourning  Protocol  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

33. Marotta, S. A. (1998, July). EMDR and psychosocial development post childhood trauma. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Baltimore, MD.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Participants will be able to: 1) describe relevant research on EMDR with childhood trauma; 2) analyze the developmental tasks that are affected by childhood trauma; 3) use case study data to illustrate how EMDR enables reprocessing of trust, autonomy, identity and intimacy issues; and 4) describe some ways race/ethnicity might mediate response to EMDR treatment.

Keywords: Childhood Trauma  Ethnicity  Psychosocial Development  Race  Research  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

34. Holmshaw, M. (2004, February). EMDR treatment of travel phobia after road traffic incidents (RTI). Presentation at the 2nd annual Conference of the EMDR UK & Ireland Association, Birmingham, UK.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Road Traffic Incidents are the most common cause of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in the UK. Travel phobia is a frequent comorbid condition in these cases and in some cases the primary disorder with which clients present. This paper addresses the systematic treatment of travel phoia after RTIs, highlighting the following: assessment and preparation for treatment with the emphasis on safety and resource installation; common themes or treatment targets to be addressed with EMDR; common blocking beliefs which prevent treatment progress and practical homework tasks to be used in conjunction with future templates. The aim of the paper is to offer a focused approach to the treatment of travel phobia with or without PTSD which has a high success rate in the author's experience.

Keywords: Road Traffic Incidents  RTI  Travel Phobia  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

35. Bethiaume, B. (2001, May). EMDR treatment with two school-based referrals. Poster presented at the EMDR Europe Association annual meeting, London, UK .

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
School referral for behaviour is many times a last resort for teachers and administrators at a loss to deal with a student's distress. This post illustrates two such cases and the effective use of EMDR to clear underlying trauma at the core of the observable behaviour. It raises the issue of age of trauma with critical developmental tasks of children and implications for treatment. The first is a single trauma at age 11 and treated at age 13. The second occurred at age 3 and treatment occurred at age 7. L. is a 13 year old girl whose family had moved three times in the past 3 years and at her new school, she became extremely distressed in the morning to the point of not being able to stay in class. The underlying trauma took place 2 years ago, and did not manifest itself behaviourally until the current move. Using EMDR, resolution was achieved in a short period of time. C. is a 7 year old girl referred because her fears were preventing her from normal activities of her grade level. The sound of fire alarm bells were particularly distressful. The family recently moved from another country and reported no prior history of this type of behaviour. Interweaving EMDR in the treatment process was effective in treating past traumas, some of which appeared to have no verbal memory and culminated in her current distress. Parental understanding and involvement in using EMDR was crucial to the treatment.

Keywords: Children  Poster  School Referrals  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

36. 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

37. Greenwald, R. (2007, October). EMDR: Within a phase model of trauma-informed treatment. New York: Haworth Press. ix, 255 pp.

Language: English

Format: Book

Abstract:
Trauma is a potential source of most types of emotional or behavioral problems. Extensive research has shown EMDR to be an effective and efficient trauma treatment. EMDR Within a Phase Model of Trauma-Informed Treatment offers mental health professionals an accessible plain-language guide to this popular and successful method. The book also introduces the “Fairy Tale Model” as a way to understand and remember the essential phases of treatment and the tasks in each phase. This manual teaches a clear rationale and a systematic approach to trauma-informed treatment, including often-neglected elements of treatment that are essential to preparing clients for EMDR. The reader is led step by step through the treatment process, with scripted hands-on exercises to learn each skill. In addition to presenting the fundamental EMDR procedures, EMDR Within a Phase Model of Trauma-Informed Treatment teaches a treatment system that can be applied to a variety of cases. Using research-supported and proven-effective methods, this book takes you through the treatment process with easily-understood dialogues and examples. Explicitly guided exercises produce hands-on skills and familiarize you with ways to explain trauma to clients and prepare them for EMDR. You will also learn to problem-solve challenging cases using the trauma framework.

Keywords: Phase Model of Trauma-Informed Treatment  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

38. 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

39. 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

40. Hornsveld, H. K., Landwehr, F., Stein. W., Stomp, M. P. H., Smeets, M. A. M., & van den Hout. M. A. (2010). Emotionality of loss-related memories is reduced after recall plus eye movements but not after recall plus music or recall only. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 3(4), 106-112. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.4.3.106.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Numerous studies have shown that eye movements during recall of negative memories reduce their emotionality. We investigated whether these findings can be extended specifically to negative memories of loss. Sixty undergraduate students participated and recalled a negative autobiographical memory of loss and performed—in counterbalanced order—three types of tasks: recall-plus-eye-movements, recall-only, and recall-plus-relaxing-music. Recall-plus-music was added to investigate whether reductions in emotionality are associated with relaxation. Levels of emotionality, relaxation, and concentration were assessed before and after each stimulus condition. Participants reported a greater decline in emotionality and concentration after eye movements in comparison to recall-only and recall-with-music. It is concluded that eye movements are effective when negative memories pertain to loss and grief, suggesting possibilities for treatment intervention in individuals suffering from complicated grief.

Keywords: Eye Movements  Grief  Loss  Mechanism of Action  Relaxation  Working Memory  Grief  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

41. Hornsveld, H. K., Houtveen, J. H., Vroomen, M., Kapteijn, I., Aalbers, D., & van den Hout, M. A. (2011). Evaluating the effect of eye movements on positive memories such as those used in resource development and installation. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 5(4), 146-155. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.5.4.146.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Resource development and installation (RDI) is an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-related procedure developed to strengthen positive associations in positive and resourceful memories (Korn & Leeds, 2002). This study tested the assumption that bilateral stimulation (horizontal eye movements [EM]) in RDI “appears to lead to spontaneous, rapid increases in affective intensity . . . and to rich, emotionally vivid associations” (Korn & Leeds, p. 1469). This study also tested whether eye movement effects could be better accounted for by working memory or by interhemispheric interaction theory. Fifty-three undergraduate students each recalled three memories of pride, perseverance, and self-confidence. They provided pretest and posttest ratings of each memory for vividness, pleasantness, and experienced strength of the positive quality, before and after performing three simultaneous tasks during recall: horizontal EM, vertical EM, and recall only. Results were fully in line with working memory predictions, with significant decreases for all variables following both eye movement tasks. There was no support for the interhemispheric hypothesis. It is concluded that the effectiveness of bilateral stimulation in RDI is questionable. Clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords: Eye Movements  RDI  Resource Development and Installation  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

42. Hornsveld, H. K., Houtveen, J. H., Vroomen, M., Kapteijn, I., Aalbers, D., & van den Hout, M. A. (2013). Evaluation de l’effet des mouvements oculaires sur les souvenirs positifs tels que ceux utilisés dans le développement et installation des ressources [Evaluation of the effect of eye movements on the positive memories such as those used in the development and installation of resources]. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 6(1), E1-E11. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.7.1.E1.

Language: French

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Le Développement et installation de ressources (DIR) est une procédure EMDR (désensibilisation et retraitement par les mouvements oculaires) développée afin de renforcer les associations positives dans les souvenirs positifs qui sont pleins de ressources (Korn & Leeds, 2002). Cette étude a testé la supposition selon laquelle les stimulations bilatérales (mouvements oculaires [MO] horizontaux) dans le DIR paraissent “conduire à des augmentations spontanées et rapides de l’intensité affective... et à des associations riches et émotionnellement vives” (Korn & Leeds, p. 1469). Cette étude a également testé si les effets des mouvements oculaires pouvaient être mieux expliqués par la théorie de la mémoire du travail ou par celle de l’interaction hémisphérique. Cinquante-trois étudiants du premier cycle se sont chacun rappelé trois souvenirs de fierté, de persévérance et de confiance en soi. Ils ont apporté des évaluations prétest et posttest de chaque souvenir en termes de clarté, d’agrément et de la force éprouvée de la qualité positive, avant et après avoir réalisé trois tâches simultanées au cours du rappel : des MO horizontaux, des MO verticaux et le rappel seul. Les résultats étaient pleinement concordants avec les prédictions de la mémoire de travail, avec des diminutions significatives pour toutes les variables après les deux tâches de mouvements oculaires. Il n’y avait pas de soutien en faveur de l’hypothèse interhémisphérique. Il est conclu que l’efficacité des stimulations bilatérales dans le DIR est discutable. Les implications cliniques sont envisagées.

English Spanish Arabic Development and installation of Resources (DIR) is a procedure EMDR (desensitization and reprocessing Eye Movement) developed to enhance the positive associations in positive memories that are full of resources (Korn & Leeds, 2002). This study tested the assumption that the bilateral stimulation (eye movements [MO] horizontal) appear in the DIR "Lead to rapid increases spontaneous and emotional intensity ... and associations emotionally rich and strong "(Korn & Leeds, p. 1469). This study also tested whether the effects of eye movements could be better explained by the theory of working memory or the interaction hemispherical. Fifty-three undergraduate students each recalled three were memories of pride, perseverance and self-confidence. They provided pretest and posttest assessments each memory in terms of clarity, pleasure and strength tested positive quality, before and after performing three simultaneous tasks during recall: MO of horizontal and vertical of MO recall alone. The results were fully consistent with the predictions of the working memory with significant decreases for all variables following both eye movement tasks. There was no support for the hypothesis interhemispheric. It is concluded that the effectiveness of bilateral stimulation in the DIR is questionable. The clinical implications are considered.

Keywords: Development and Installation of Resources  DIR  Eye Movements  Interhemispheric Interaction  Memory Work  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

43. Schlosser, F. J. (1993, Fall/Winter). Exposure/EMDR:  Diagnostic use of feedback. EMDR Network Newsletter, 3(2), 7-10.

Language: English

Format: Newsletter

Abstract:
One of the tasks of psychotherapists is to attempt to reduce anxiety in their patients. They determine the level of this anxiety through patient reports, observations of body language, intuition, or results of projective and objective tests. They then gauge therapeutic effectiveness by the amount of anxiety reduction as indicated by these relatively subjective measures. Even behaviorists, who make much use of numbers in their evaluations, are not measuring anxiety but its effect on the client's behavior. It is my contention that subjective measures of anxiety are not appropriate scientific tools and, if we are to progress in the development of more effective techniques for removing or reducing anxiety, we must devise more objective and accurate techniques for measuring this state which we describe ourselves as "treating."

Keywords: Exposure  Feedback  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

44. Smith, P. A., & Yule, W. (1999). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. In W. Yule (Ed.), Post-traumatic stress disorders: concepts and therapy (pp. 267-284). Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons.

Language: English

Format: Book Section

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the most recent additions to the armoury of treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This chapter briefly outlines the EMDR procedure, and reviews the growing number of outcome evaluation studies, before considering some of the recent theoretical explanations that have been offered. EMDR has been used with a variety of populations, and its use with children and adolescents is considered here. At the heart of EMDR is the notion that accelerated processing of disturbing material can be directly facilitated at a neurophysiological level using a variety of dual attention tasks. Accordingly, a by-product of resolution at the neurophysiological level is cognitive and emotional well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords: Adolescents  Children  Literature Review  Psychotherapeutic Processes  PTSD  Research Needs  Survivors  Treatment Effectiveness  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

45. 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

46. 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

47. 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

48. Marques, L. (2011). Het effect van oogbewegingen, klikjes en geen dubbeltaak op de emotionaliteit en levendigheid van een herinnering in EMDR in de klinische praktijk. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is één van de behandelingen van keuze voor posttraumatische stress stoornis (PTSS). Hoewel in ongeveer de helft van de EMDR behandelingen gebruik wordt gemaakt van klikjes is er slechts weinig onderzoek in de klinische praktijk gedaan naar de werkzaamheid van deze vorm van stimulatie. In dit onderzoek is het effect van oogbewegingen, klikjes en geen dubbeltaak op de emotionaliteit en levendigheid van een nare herinnering onderzocht bij 51 cliënten die een EMDR behandeling ondergingen. De behandeling als geheel bleek effectief te zijn in de afname van emotionaliteit en levendigheid. Hoewel de verschillen in effectiviteit van de stimulaties in de richting van de gestelde hypothese lagen, bleken de verschillen niet significant te zijn op een significantie niveau van 0.05. Er was een trend zichtbaar waarbij oogbewegingen effectiever lijken te zijn dan klikjes en geen dubbeltaak, waarbij klikjes effectiever lijken te zijn dan geen dubbeltaak. Deze trend biedt ondersteuning voor de werkgeheugen verklaring. Daarnaast is ook de ernst van de symptomen en de effectiviteit van de stimulaties onderzocht. Implicaties van het gehele onderzoek voor de klinische praktijk worden besproken.

Keywords: Beeps  Emotionality  No Dual Tasks  Vividness  Working Memory Account  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

49. 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

50. 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.

Keywords: Practice  Theory  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

51. 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

52. Brunyé, T. T., Mahoney, C. R., Augustyn, J. S., & Taylor, H. A. (2009). Horizontal saccadic eye movements enhance the retrieval of landmark shape and location information. Brain and Cognition, 70(3), 279–288. doi:10.1016/j.bandc.2009.03.003.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Recent work has demonstrated that horizontal saccadic eye movements enhance verbal episodic memory retrieval, particularly in strongly right-handed individuals. The present experiments test three primary assumptions derived from this research. First, horizontal eye movements should facilitate episodic memory for both verbal and non-verbal information. Second, the benefits of horizontal eye movements should only be seen when they immediately precede tasks that demand right and left-hemisphere processing towards successful performance. Third, the benefits of horizontal eye movements should be most pronounced in the strongly right-handed. Two experiments confirmed these hypotheses: horizontal eye movements increased recognition sensitivity and decreased response times during a spatial memory test relative to both vertical eye movements and fixation. These effects were only seen when horizontal eye movements preceded episodic memory retrieval, and not when they preceded encoding (Experiment 1). Further, when eye movements preceded retrieval, they were only beneficial with recognition tests demanding a high degree of right and left-hemisphere activity (Experiment 2). In both experiments the beneficial effects of horizontal eye movements were greatest for strongly right-handed individuals. These results support recent work suggesting increased interhemispheric brain activity induced by bilateral horizontal eye movements, and extend this literature to the encoding and retrieval of landmark shape and location information.

Keywords: Bilateral Eye Movements  Hemispheric Interaction  Episodic Memory  Spatial Memory  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

53. 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

54. 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

55. 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

56. Korn, D. (1995, June). Integrative and strategic utilization of EMDR in treating survivors of sexual abuse. Presentation at the EMDR Network Conference, Santa Monica, CA.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
This presentation will focus on integrating EMDR into an overall treatment plan and utilizing EMDR in conjunction with other cognitive behavioral approaches. Strategic utilization of EMDR to move clients through the various stages of recovery will be discussed. 1) In the first stage of treatment, safety, stabilization, coping, and development of a strong therapeutic relationship are emphasized. Treatment focuses on decreasing (1) suicidal and parasuicidal behavior, (2) treatment - interfering behavior, and (3) quality-of-life-interfering behavior (Linehan, 1993). Efforts are made to assist the client in developing a repertoire of cognitive-behavioral coping skills; relevant skills address grounding, trigger awareness, basic self - care, mindfullness, distress tolerance, affect regulation, assertiveness, relaxation, self - monitoring, stress inoculation, and cognitive restructuring. At this stage, EMDR can be used to shift negative cognitions which interfere with commitment to treatment, skill development, and the restoration of hope. The following are examples of negative cognitions whlch interfere with first stage stabilization goals: - I will only get acknowledgment of my pain if I act out. - I don't deserve to feel better. - If I take care of myself, no one will know I hurt. - I'm pathetic, a failure. - I will die/go crazy fiom these feelings. - I can never do anything right. - I can't stand this feeling. I must cut myself. - Don't trust anyone or anything. Newly learned information about coping can be reinforced and further integrated in the course of an EMDR session. Clients can be encouraged to notice their ability to tolerate affect and to practice their assertiveness skills, grounding skills, mindfulness skills, etc. 2) In the second stage of treatment, the focus is on processing traumatic memories and decreasing behaviors related to post-traumatic stress. EMDR interventions can be designed to assist clients with specific recovery tasks or issues: - fear/terror and associated avoidance - sense of powerlessnesshelplessness - responsibility/accountability - safety - self, others, environment - self-esteem/self as bad, defective, unlovable - lack of individuation - dependency - anger - grief/mouming - trust/mistrust - fear of abandonment - guilt/self-blame - shame/self-loathing With regard to each of these issues, maladaptive schemas can be addressed via effective cognitive interweave strategies. Ideas for supplementing EMDR work with written assignments, imagery exercises, recovery rituals, and planned in vivo exposure will be discussed. Strategies for handling possible problems, obstacles, or resistance at this stage will also be noted. Finally, the role of ongoing assessment and data collection in making decisions about EMDR targets will be addressed. 3) In the third stage of treatment, the emphasis is on personal development and increased connection with others. Recovery tasks and issues addressed via EMDR include: - Increasing intimacy and healthy connections - Increasing self-esteem - Increasing self-efficacy and sense of mastery - Reclaiming sexuality - Increasing self-efficacy and sense of mastery - Identity exploration and development - Establishing goals, initiating new projects, and taking reasonable risks At this stage, EMDR can be useful in detecting remnants of shame, fear, etc. In addition, EMDR can be used to reduce anxiety and increase confidence as a client sets his/her sights on the future and prepares to face new and challenging situations. EMDR can aid in the generalization of skills and adaptive schemas across time and place. It can facilitate the integration of a new, more positive and vital self-image. The presentation will conclude with a videotape case presentation highlighting relevant recovery tasks and issues in applying EMDR at a specific stage of treatment.

Keywords: Sexual Abuse  Survivors  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

57. Hermans, H. P., & de Putter, M. (2012). Is een toevoeging van een aspect uit de contraconditionering aan EMDR zinvol? [Is an addition of one aspect of the counter-conditioning to EMDR useful?]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is een beproefde methode voor de behandeling van posttraumatische stressstoornis (PTSS). Het verklaringsmechanisme van EMDR lijkt de werkgeheugentheorie te zijn. De werkgeheugentheorie voorspelt dat het belasten van het werkgeheugen tijdens het ophalen van een nare herinnering, de emotionaliteit van de herinnering doet afnemen. Het huidige onderzoek betrekt een aspect vanuit de contraconditionering bij oogbewegingen. Participanten werden ingedeeld in 3 condities: positief, negatief en neutraal. Elke participant voerde een tweetal reactietijd taken uit op de computer, waarvan één met een stilstaande stip en één met een bewegende stip. Daarnaast haalde elke participant 2 negatieve autobiografische herinneringen op, tijdens het ophalen van één herinnering keken participanten naar een stilstaande stip, terwijl bij de andere herinnering een bewegende stip gepresenteerd werd. Op het beeldscherm werd – afhankelijk van de conditie – een positieve, neutrale of negatieve foto als achtergrond geselecteerd om te kijken of de valentie van aangeboden foto’s het effect van oogbewegingen beïnvloeden. De reactietijd taken bieden inzicht in welke mate oogbewegingen een belasting voor het werkgeheugen vormen. De resultaten tonen significant tragere reactietijden wanneer participanten oogbewegingen moesten maken. Op het gebied van emotionaliteit is er eveneens een significant effect van oogbewegingen gevonden. De narigheid van de opgehaalde herinnering nam – onafhankelijk van conditie - af wanneer participanten oogbewegingen maakten. Uitkomsten van het huidige onderzoek vormen een bevestiging van de werkgeheugentheorie. Het verwachtte effect van valentie is uitgebleven, vermoedelijk doordat participanten de valentie van de foto’s niet goed meekregen. Adequaat vervolg onderzoek zal moeten uitwijzen of een toevoeging aan EMDR vanuit de contraconditioneringstheorie zinvol is.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a proven method for the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The declaration mechanism of EMDR seems to be working memory theory. The working memory theory predicts that taxing working memory during retrieval of a bad memory, the emotionality of the memory decreases. The present study involves an aspect from the counter-conditioning at eye movements. Participants were divided into 3 conditions: positive, negative and neutral. Each participant performed a two reaction tasks on the computer, one with a stationary dot and one with a moving dot. In addition, each participant took 2 negative autobiographical memories, while retrieving a reminder to participants watched a stationary spot, while the other memory a moving dot was presented. On the screen was - depending on the condition - a positive, neutral or negative picture as background selected to see if the valence of pictures presented the effect of eye movements influence. The response functions provide insight into the extent to which eye movements constitute a burden on the working memory. The results show significantly slower reaction times when participants had to make eye movements. In the area of ​​emotionality is also a significant effect of eye movements found. The misery of the retrieved memory Rose - regardless of condition - off when participants made eye movements. Results of the present study are a confirmation of the working memory theory. The expected effect of valence failed to materialize, probably because participants the valence of the pictures are not good afterworld. Adequate follow-up study is needed to determine whether an addition to EMDR from the contralateral conditioning theory makes sense.

Keywords: Counter Conditioning  Memory Theory  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

58. Wildwind, L. (1998, July). It’s never too late to have a happy childhood:  Using EMDR to create and install essential experiences. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Baltimore, MD.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Participants will be able to: 1) anticipate and prepare for resistance to EMDR based on the history and symptoms presented; 2) minimize resistance and failure by proper framing and staging of the tasks involved in healing; 3) prepare the client to meet developmental gaps and losses through imaged interventions; 4) create and install appropriate experiential interweaves; and 5) utilize resistance and setbacks to identify successive areas appropriate for experiential interweaves.

Keywords: Experiential Interweave  Imaged Interventions  Resistance  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

59. Freitag, W. (2008, September). The nuts and bolts of EMDR consultation. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Phoenix, AZ.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
As EMDRIA’s requirements for Basic Training programs now include consultation hours, this has become a hot topic. This workshop will review EMDRIA’s philosophy of consultation and the requirements which now exist. An explanation of what consultation is and is not will be given, and the role of the consultant will be explored. There are now four different types of consultation to be conducted by an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. These are: Consultation within the Basic Training Curriculum; Consultation for Certification; Consultation of a Consultant-In-Training, and Ongoing consultation for professional development. The function, content and goals of the four different types of consultation will be defined, and the expectation of the consultant examined. Examples of specific tasks or ways to do effective consultation will be identified.

Keywords: Consultation  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

60. Freitag, W., & Swan, S. (2009, August). The nuts and bolts of EMDR consultation - Expanded. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Atlanta, GA.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Consultation has become a topic of interest over the last few years. This workshop will review EMDRIA’s philosophy of consultation, what consultation is and is not, and its benefits. The function, content and goals of the four types of consultation will be reviewed, along with the consultant’s roles. Consultation for Certification and Consultation of a Consultant-In-Training (CIT) will be fully explored with specific tasks and methods for effective consultation identified. A newly credentialed Approved Consultant, with a well-developed consultation practice, will share practical methods to market, set-up and run consultation groups, as well as introduce a system for organizing and documenting group and individual consultation sessions. Ethical concerns in both EMDR practice and in conducting EMDR consultation will be discussed.

Keywords: Consultation  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

61. Kreyer, A. K., & Egon, S. (2008, June). Physiological effects of eye movements of different speeds and eye fixation during engagement in negative autobiographical memories: Experimental research regarding EMDR. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, London, England.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract: The aim of the study was to explore the working mechanism of the bilateral stimulation component in EMDR in relation to current hypotheses. Physiological hypotheses (of orienting response and relaxation response) were tested in an analogous experimental setting. Moreover, the clinical advice to use different stimulation speeds for different phases of EMDR was examined at the autonomic level, exploring two different speeds of eye movements. In a within-subject design 42 female students performed 7 short sets each of rapid eye movements (1 Hz), slow eye movements (0.3 Hz) and eye fixation while engaging in negative autobiographical memories. Order of the tasks was counterbalanced. Electrooculogramm (EOG), electrocardiogramm, electrodermal activity and distal pulswave were recorded continuously. Skin conductance level (SCL), heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (RMSSD) and pulse wave transit time (PWTT) were calculated. Performance of the eye movement tasks were controlled through EOG. All three conditions showed a clear-cut de-arousal at stimulation onset, which was 30 indicated by a decrease in HR and SCL and an increase in RMSSD and PWTT. That means, fast and slow eye movements as well as eye fixation initiated a moderate, but clear relaxation response with increased parasympathetic and reduced sympathetic activity. These results suggest that the speed of eye movements do not influence autonomic functions. Furthermore, the results of this study do not support most of the current hypotheses regarding the working mechanism of the bilateral stimulation in EMDR. Alternative explanations are discussed

Keywords: Autobiographical Memories  Research  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

62. Laliotis, D. (2011, August). Plateaus of responsibility, safety, and choices: Case conceptualization and treatment. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Orange County, CA.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
This workshop is for EMDR clinicians seeking to deepen their understanding of EMDR case conceptualization and treatment planning incorporating the informational plateaus of Responsibility, Safety and Choices. These informational plateaus are being presented as developmental plateaus, where deficits in the memory network exist due to a lack of earlier positive experiences to master developmental tasks. Participants will be able to: develop a working definition of each of the plateaus that informs target memory selection and negative beliefs; develop a treatment plan distinguishing between primary and secondary issues; identify and implement present triggers and future template scenarios that address developmental deficits and skills.

Keywords: Choice  Responsibility  Safety  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

63. Janssen, W. C., & van der Beek, J. (2010). Prospectieve intrusies worden minder levendig en onaangenaam door oogbewegingen [Prospective intrusions are less vivid and uncomfortable by eye movements]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
In eerder onderzoek werd aangetoond dat intrusieve herinneringen aan het verleden minder levendig en onaangenaam worden wanneer deze worden opgehaald tijdens het maken van oogbewegingen. Dit zou kunnen komen doordat beide taken beslag leggen op de capaciteit van het werkgeheugen. Sommige mensen gaan echter gebukt onder verontrustende voorstellingen van de toekomst. In dit onderzoek wordt geprobeerd vast te stellen of ook deze zogenoemde prospectieve intrusies minder levendig en onaangenaam worden wanneer deze worden opgehaald tijdens het maken van oogbewegingen. Methode 28 gezonde deelnemers werd gevraagd twee prospectieve intrusies op te halen en deze op levendigheid, onaangenaamheid en toegankelijkheid te beoordelen. Alle deelnemers werden toegewezen aan een controleconditie, waarin deze intrusie enkel hoefde te worden opgehaald en vastgehouden, en een experimentele conditie, waarin de proefpersonen gevraagd werd tijdens het vasthouden van de intrusie horizontale oogbewegingen te maken. Na iedere conditie werd de herinnering opnieuw opgehaald en gescoord. Resultaten In de experimentele conditie namen de levendigheid en onaangenaamheid van prospectieve intrusies af, terwijl de levendigheid in de controleconditie juist toenam en de onaangenaamheid gelijk bleef. Discussie De resultaten suggereren dat het maken van oogbewegingen tijdens het ophalen van prospectieve intrusies de levendigheid en onaangenaamheid van deze beelden vermindert. De implicaties van deze bevinding worden besproken.

Earlier research has shown that intrusive memories of the past are less vivid and unpleasant when they are retrieved when making eye movements. This could be because both tasks seize the capacity of working memory. Some people, however, suffer from disturbing images of the future. This study attempted to determine whether these prospective intrusions known as less vivid and unpleasant when they are retrieved while making eye movements. Methods 28 healthy participants were asked to pick two prospective intrusions and the liveliness, unpleasantness and accessibility assessment. All participants were assigned to a control condition in which these intrusions just have to be picked up and detained, and an experimental condition in which the subjects were asked during the intrusion of horizontal eye movements hold it. After each condition, the memory retrieval and scored. Results In the experimental condition took the vibrancy and unpleasantness of prospective intrusions, while the liveliness in the control condition just increased and remained constant discomfort. Discussion The results suggest that making eye movements prospective intrusions while getting the vibrancy and reduces discomfort of these images. The implications of this finding are discussed.

Keywords: Prospective Intrusions  Working Memory Theory  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

64. Bruck, N. R. V. (2007, March). A psicologia das emergências: Um estudo sobre angústia pública e o dramático cotidiano do trauma [The psychology of emergencies: A survey of public angst and dramatic daily life of trauma]. Pontifica Universidade Catolica Do Rio Grande Do Sul, Programa De Pos-Graduacao Em Psicologia Doutorado Em Psicologia, Porto Alegre.

Language: Portuguese

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
O assunto “trauma” vem adquirindo novos significados, considerando principalmente acontecimentos sociais recentes, sejam eventos adversos, catástrofes, desastres, sejam as situações-limite vividas pelas pessoas no cotidiano urbano. A psicologia das emergências estuda o comportamento das pessoas nos acidentes e desastres desde uma ação preventiva até o pós-trauma e, se for o caso, subsidia intervenções de compreensão, apoio e superação do trauma às vítimas e profissionais do SAMU. O assunto se estende às questões que vão desde a experiência pessoal do trauma até os eventos adversos provocados por calamidades, sejam estas naturais e/ou provocadas pelo homem. A psicologia das emergências é um tema de angústia pública, sentimento difuso de mal-estar que se origina dos acontecimentos públicos traumáticos, chamados estressores, tais como os acidentes de trânsito com vítima, assim como os provenientes das demais situações limites de toda a violência urbana. O trauma é uma experiência que explode a capacidade de suportar um revés, traz a perda de sentido, desorganização corporal e paralisação da consciência temporal, pode deixar marcas que influenciam a criatividade e a motivação para a vida. Os objetivos nos primeiros auxílios psicológicos são de aliviar as manifestações sintomáticas e o sofrimento, reduzindo os sentimentos de anormalidade e de enfermidade. Um dos objetivos é a familiarização com temas considerados complexos e muitas vezes distantes das discussões sobre trauma psicológico, sendo que o problema da pesquisa é a compreensão da psicologia das emergências e como colocá-la em prática. Os autores mais utilizados são Edgar Morin, Alfredo Moffatt, Serge Moscovici, Gilles Deleuze e Michel Foucault, dentre outros. São abordados os temas do não-reducionismo, da epistemologia de si mesmo e da relação da Teoria das Representações Sociais com o EMDR (dessensibilização e reprocessamento através de movimentos oculares). O método desta pesquisa, com suporte na observação participante refere às questões da complexidade, análise multirreferencial e de implicação. As técnicas mais utilizadas foram entrevistas, grupos focais-“histórias significativas” e análise documental. É indicado, como atitudes favoráveis pensar não a partir de algo, mas, sobretudo sobre algo e que para mudar o modo de agir torna-se necessário modificar a imagem que uma pessoa tenha de si próprio. Como conclusões da pesquisa, observou-se: que as pessoas acidentadas trazem outros acontecimentos considerados difíceis junto com o depoimento sobre o acidente, como situações de luto e de sofrimento com familiares; que o estresse pós-traumático não é uma conseqüência inevitável do trauma; que não há nenhuma orientação, ou rotina, nas missões de socorros e nos documentos oficiais do SAMU sobre o tema psicologia das emergências. Também são indicadas considerações finais sobre os temas da Síndrome de Burnout, sobre a influência da instituição no cotidiano dos atendimentos, sobre a relação da clínica com a psicologia social.

The subject of "trauma" has acquired new meanings, especially considering recent social events, are adverse events, catastrophes, disasters, are the extreme situations experienced by people in urban daily life. Psychology emergencies studies the behavior of people in accidents and disasters from preventive action to post-trauma and, if necessary, subsidize interventions understanding, support and overcoming the trauma victim and professional SAMU. The subject extends to issues ranging from the personal experience of trauma to adverse events caused by disasters, whether natural and / or manmade. The psychology of emergencies is a topic of anguish public diffuse feeling of uneasiness that stems from public events traumatic, called stressors, such as traffic accidents with victims, as well as from the other extreme edge of all violence urban. Trauma is an experience that explodes the ability to support a setback, brings loss of meaning, and paralysis of body clutter temporal awareness, can leave marks that influence creativity and motivation for life. The goals in psychological first aid are to relieve symptomatic manifestations and suffering, reducing feelings of abnormality and disease. One goal is to become familiar with issues as complex and often distant from the discussions on trauma psychological, and the research problem is understanding the psychology of emergencies and how to put it into practice. The authors are more used Edgar Morin, Alfredo Moffatt, Serge Moscovici, Gilles Deleuze and Michel Foucault, among others. Issues are addressed in the non-reductionism, the epistemology of self and even the relationship of the Theory of Representations to EMDR (Desensitization and reprocessing through eye movements). The method this research, supported in participant observation matters relating to complex, multi-referential analysis and implication. The most used techniques were interviews, focus groups, "meaningful stories and documentary analysis. It indicated as positive attitudes to think not from something, but mainly on something and to change the mode of action becomes necessary to modify the image a person has of himself. As the survey findings revealed the following: that rugged people bring other events to be difficult with with testimony about the accident, as situations of grief and suffering with family, whereas the post-traumatic stress is not an inevitable consequence of trauma, there is no guidance, or routine tasks in the relief and SAMU official documents on the subject of psychology emergencies. Also concluding remarks are given on the topics of the Burnout on the influence the institution in the routine of care, about the relationship of clinical with social psychology.

Keywords: Emergency Treatment  Postrraumatic Stress Disorder  PTSD  Social Psychology  Stress  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

65. 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

66. 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

67. Courtois, C. (1998, July). Recollections of sexual abuse:  Principles and guidelines of treatment (EMDR not the focus). Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Baltimore, MD.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Participants will be able to: 1) discuss some of the major issues in the delayed/recovered memory controversy; 2) list some of the long-term clinical correlates associated with a history of child sexual abuse; 3) list some of the clinical presentations of adults abuse or possibly abused as children as they pretain to memory; and 4) describe suggested guidelines for treatement of adults abused or possibley abused as children and most common stages and tasks of posttrauma treatment.

Keywords: Sexual Abuse  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

68. Dameshek, L. A. (2008). A recommended process for developing a prototype of a software tool incorporating dual focus of attention with bilateral stimulation to enhance academic outcomes. Prescott College, AZ. AAT 1457010.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychological intervention that combines bilateral stimulation and dual focus of attention to help subjects with various emotional conditions restructure traumatic memories in a brief yet effective treatment. This technique has been employed to help individuals visualize new concepts for creative purposes when prior emotional experiences block the individual's ability to perform desired tasks. The current research hypothesizes that bilateral stimulation and dual focus of attention could be valuable in educational scenarios, and it explores the design and prototype of a computerized tool that includes a similar combination of practices within an automated training system to test whether this could be an efficient and effective tool for teaching individuals complex or troubling material.[Author Abstract]

Keywords: Dual Focus  Eye Movement  Software  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

69. Martin, N. (2001, July). Research in brief:  Eye remember it well: Eye movements affect the vividness of your emotional memories. The Psychologist, 14(7), 376.

Language: English

Format: Magazine

Abstract:
Can eye movement reduce trauma? eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) has shown that people retrieving traumatic events while making 10–20 lateral eye movements, experienced less trauma than did those who simply reported the traumatic event without eye movement (see article on EMDR on p. 361). Students who either looked at a computer screen, tapped their fingers or followed a symbol across a computer screen with their eyes also reported significantly less vivid imagery of autobiographical events in the eye movement condition; images we re most vivid in the control condition. The results suggest that visuospatial working memory is disrupted by eye movement, reducing the vividness of the recollection. However, EMDR suggests that future recollections of the event should also be less vivid.

Keywords: Practice  Theory  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

70. 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

71. 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

72. 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

73. L'Abate, L. (1999). Taking the bull by the horns:  Beyond talk in psychological interventions. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 7(3), 206-220.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
The purpose of this article is to argue that as long as the therapeutic community relies on commonly accepted sacred cows to produce results, little if any progress will take place. The five sacred cows of traditional psychological interventions (prevention, psychotherapy, and rehabilitation) are based on the following: (a) talk; (b) face-to-face contact; (c) the professionals’ proper style and personality; (d) adding family members, the more people the better; and (e) the more sessions the better. New psychological interventions that may challenge the sacred cows as we know them are as follows: (a) psychoeducational skill training programs; (b) computer assisted interventions, including verbal, visual (i.e., virtual reality), and neurobiofeedback; (c) manualized therapies; (d) eye movement desensitization and reprocessing; and (e) programmed distance writing, as exemplified by mental health workbooks. The latter is an inexpensive approach that can be administered concurrently with the new approaches as well as with talk-oriented interventions to obtain synergistic results. In addition, suggestions for minimally verbal and maximally action-oriented props and prescribed tasks are given.

Keywords: Commentary  Computer Applications  Computer Assisted & Programmed Distance Writing Interventions  Oral Communication  Preference to Traditional Talk-Oriented Techniques  Therapeutic Processes  Written Communication  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

74. Bartelski, N. (2011). Taxing of the working memory and the accessibility of memories. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Most laboratory studies concerning eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) have focused on investigating how EMDR reduces the vividness and emotionality of memories. There has however been less focus on what occurs to the accessibility of the memory following EMDR. To assess accessibility we utilized three experiments. In each participant’s encoded two pictorial stimuli (images), held one of them in-mind, and simultaneously performed or did not perform EMDR-like working memory taxing (WM-taxing) tasks. Participants then freely-recalled or recognized as many details as they could from both images. In experiments 1a and 1b we found that free-recalled accessibility was reduced for the image that was held in-mind whilst WM-taxing tasks were performed, compared to when no-WM-taxing tasks were performed. In experiment 2, accessibility was measured in reaction time (RT). Decreased accessibility (slower RT) was observed when an image was held in-mind whilst WM-taxing tasks were performed. The decrease in accessibility, along with an observed decrease in vividness, possibly helps to give a more complete picture of EMDR’s effectiveness. Additionally it demonstrates that the effects of EMDR can be observed via non self-report measures.

Keywords: Fading In  Fading Out  Memory Accessibility  Traumatic Image  Working Memory Account  Working Memory Taxing  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

75. 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

76. 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

77. 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

78. Streeck-Fischer, A. (2005). Traumaexposition bei jugenlichen? Ein fallbeispiel [Trauma exposure with adolescents? A case report]. PTT: Personlichkeitsstorungen Theorie und Therapie, 9(1), 22-29.

Language: German

Format: Magazine

Abstract:
Im Allgemeinen ist es vorgeschlagen, um Jugendlichen mit schweren posttraumatischen Belastungsstörung zu einer EMDR-Behandlung in der Psychotherapie eingebettet aussetzen. Wegen der Jugendlichen spezifische Konflikte wie Autonomie und Unabhängigkeit, Sprachlosigkeit und "erlassen Nachrichten" und der instabilen Lebens-Situation der Jugendlichen therapeutische Schritte statbilization und Entwicklung der Humanressourcen zu vorheriger Schwerpunkt sein. Trauma Exposition mit EMDR kann innerhalb bestimmter Grenzen, die sich aus aktuellen Konflikten und Aufgaben erfolgen benutzen, was muss zuerst gelöst werden. Ein Fallbericht zeigt die verschiedenen Probleme.

In general it is suggested to expose adolescents with severe posttraumatic stress disorder to an EMDR treatment embedded in psychotherapy. Because of adolescent-specific conflicts like autonomy and independency, speechlessness and "enacted messages" and the unstable life-situation of those adolescents therapeutic steps of statbilization and resource development have to be given prior emphasis. Trauma exposure with EMDR can be done within certain limits resulting from actual conflicts and tasks whih have to be resolved first. A case report demonstrates the different problems.

Keywords: Practice  Theory  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

79. Dworkin, M. (2008, June). Using the therapeutic relationship in EMDR with patients with complex PTSD. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, London, England UK.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Now that the therapeutic relationship is firmly part of EMDR, it is time to show its uses with difficult populations. Skilful emphasis on empathic attunement beginning in the history taking phase with emphasis on using the Procedural Steps Outline diagnostically, and Light stream as an affect management tool, starting in the first session will be shown to be of use specifically with this population. This population needs special attention regarding alterations in affect regulation, self perception, consciousness and attention, somatisation, trust, and identity. In the preparation phase participants will learn various relational strategies to accomplish these tasks. They will also learn to use the relationship as an additional resource for containment with appropriate boundaries. Relational concepts such as “Implicit Relational Knowing”, “Moments of Meeting”, and “Dyadic Expansion of Consciousness” will be taught to expand methods of stabilization for preparation, and for active trauma work. Modifications of active trauma work using active resourcing; titrating or dosing; treating transference and counter transference phenomenon will all be demonstrated to enhance EMDR work with complex PTSD and Dissociation. Dworkin's Trauma Case Conceptualization Questionnaire and his Clinician Self Awareness Questionnaire will be taught and used to

Keywords: Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder  Complex PTSD  C-PTSD  Therapeutic Relationship  

Accuracy Verified: Yes

80. 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

81. 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

82. 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

83. Maxfield, L., Melnyk, W. T., & Hayman, C. A. G. (2008). A working memory explanation for the effects of eye movements in EMDR. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(4), 247-261. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.2.4.247.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Research has consistently demonstrated that performance is degraded when participants engage in two simultaneous tasks that require the same working memory resources. This study tested predictions from working memory theory to investigate the effects of eye movement (EM) on the components of autobiographical memory. In two experiments, 24 and 36 participants, respectively, focused on negative memories while engaging in three dual-attention EM tasks of increasing complexity. Compared to No- EM, Slow-EM and Fast-EM produced significantly decreased ratings of image vividness, thought clarity, and emotional intensity, and the more difficult Fast-EM resulted in larger decreases than did Slow-EM. The effects on emotional intensity were not consistent, with some preliminary evidence that a focus on memory-related thought might maintain emotional intensity during simple dual-attention tasks (Slow-EM, No-EM). The findings of our experiments support a working memory explanation for the effects of EM dual-attention tasks on autobiographical memory. Implications for understanding the mechanisms of action in EMDR are discussed.

Keywords: Eye Movements  Mechanism of Action  Memory Components  Working Memory  

Accuracy Verified: Yes