Francine Shapiro Library ~ EMDR Bibliography

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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. 張素凰、李元華 [Chang Sue-Hwang, & Li Yuan-Hua]. (2003年，10月). 眼動和情緒：眼球運動的作用在治療機制 EMDR的。 [Eye movement and emotionality: The role of eye movement in the therapeutic mechanism of EMDR]. 論文發表在第42屆大會的中國心理學會，輔仁大學，台灣 [Presentation at the 42nd annual conference of the Chinese Psychological Association, Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taiwan] NSC 91-2815-C-002-125-H.

Language: Chinese

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Shapiro 認為演動訊息在處理法（EMDR）治療程序中規律的多次快速動眼作業有助於創傷記憶的處理 (Shapiro, 1989a)，但其可能涉及的療效機制之研究尚少。本研究擬從工作記憶模式的角度來探討動眼作業在 EMDR 的療效機制。根據工作記憶模式(working memory model)，動眼作業可視為一種爭奪工作記憶中視覺和空間訊息處理能力(VSSP)系統資源的干擾作業。因此，當回憶創傷事件時，施以動眼作業可降低創傷受害者對於創傷事件記憶的清晰程度，並降低患者對於創傷事件的情緒反應，以達到某種程度的治療目的。實驗一（N = 120）採動眼作業（有、無）× 圖片的性質（正向、負向）× 時間（前測、後測）的三因子混合設計，依變項為圖片影像的清晰度與情緒感受度。實驗二（N = 120）採動眼作業（有、無）× 刺激材料的性質（圖片、影片）× 時間（前測、後測）的三因子混合設計，依變項同實驗一。實驗一與實驗二的結果皆顯示，如同工作記憶模式的預期，動眼作業造成VSSP 所同時處理的影像訊息的清晰度降低，此結果與工作記憶模式的預期一致。另外，本研究亦顯示動眼作業亦造成情緒感受度降低。上述結果顯示動眼作業可能具有臨床治療上的功效，且可藉由工作記憶模式瞭解其療效機制。本研究亦對結果所顯示的意義與未來研究方向提出討論

Eye‐movement desensitization‐reprocessing therapy (EMDR) has recently been the new effective technique to treat post‐traumatic stress disorder and other disorders. Contrasted with other psychotherapies, eye‐movements are the novel component. According to the working memory model, eye‐movements could reduce the vividness of distressing images and the intensity of the emotion associated with the images. In this study, we designed two experiments to test the effects of eye‐ movements on vividness and emotionality of imagery. In Experiment 1, with positive and negative photos as stimuli, the results showed that eye movements significantly reduced the vividness and emotionality of traumatic images. In Experiment 2, with negative photos and negative films as stimuli, we also found eye‐movements significantly reduced the vividness and emotionality of traumatic images. The implications and future research possibilities are discussed.

Keywords: Emotionality Eye Movements Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Vividness Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

3. 李元華 [Li Yuan-Hua]. (2008). 眼動在眼動減敏訊息再處理法中的療效機制探討：干擾自然眼動對回憶的影響 [The therapeutic mechanism of eye movements in EMDR: The effect of interrupting spontaneous eye movements during recollections]. 國立台灣大學心理學研究所，台灣 [National Taiwan University Graduate Institute of Psychology, Taiwan].

Language: Chinese

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
李元華眼動在眼動減敏訊息再處理法中的療效機制探討：干擾自然眼動對回憶的影響臺灣大學
本研究探討雙側眼動在眼動減敏訊息再處理法(Eye movement Desensitization and reprocessing; EMDR)中的所扮演的角色，過去研究認為雙側眼動可以降低回憶時的影像鮮明度與情緒強度。本研究除了擬再次驗證此一論點外，同時也提出進一步的假設：雙側眼動干擾了個體在回憶創傷經驗時的自然眼動，進而降低其在回憶時的影像畫面清晰度以及情緒強度。參與者為132名的修習普通心理學的台大學生。本研究操弄三種不同的眼動方式來探討不同的眼動干擾對正、負向自傳式回憶的影像鮮明程度、情緒強度以及心跳速率的影響，並且也記錄了參與者在回憶時自然眼動的方向性，即CLEMs (Conjugate Lateral Eye Movements)。本研究所操弄的眼動變項為眼動組、凝視組以及自然回憶組，眼動組又可分為水平眼動以及垂直眼動二操弄組、凝視組又可分為左凝視與右凝視二操弄組。結果顯示CLEMs的方向性在正負向回憶中是一致的，整體來說偏右向次數大於左向，此並不符合情緒側化理論或情緒右腦理論。另外，相較於非眼動組，眼動組對鮮明度與情緒強度的下降程度最大，凝視組次之，自然回憶組則有上升趨勢。在眼動組中水平或垂直眼動的操弄在鮮明度與情緒強度上並無差異，而凝視組中的右凝視操弄組對影像鮮明度以及情緒強度的下降程度較左凝視操弄組大，此結果並不支持水平雙側眼動的特別療效，也不支持情緒側化理論，而較可能支持情緒右腦理論。在負向回憶時的心跳速率指標方面，眼動組並無上升趨勢，但非眼動組則有上升趨勢出現。研究結果支持眼動干擾了個體在回憶創傷經驗時的自然眼動，進而降低其在回憶時的影像畫面清晰度以及情緒強度。本研究最後對各眼動理論做了討論以提出整合性的觀點。

This study examines the role of eye movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Previous studies have pointed that eye movements could decrease the vividness and emotionality during imagery. Besides replicating previous studies, this study proposes a hypothesis: bilateral eye movements interrupt the patients’ spontaneous eye movements during traumatic recollections and decrease the vividness and emotionality of imagery. Participants are 132 NTU undergraduate students enrolled in the general psychology course. This study manipulates three conditions of eye movements in order to realize the effect of different interruptions to vividness, emotionality and heart rate during positive and negative autobiographic recollections. It also records the directions of spontaneous eye movements during recall, namely CLEMs (Conjugate Lateral Eye Movements). The three conditions of the experiment are eye movement, gaze and mere imagery conditions. The eye movement condition is divided into horizontal and vertical movement groups and the gaze condition is divided into left and right gaze groups. Results show that the directions of CLEMs in positive and negative recollections are coherent, however the numbers of rightward gazes are more than leftward gazes. The valence-specific laterality hypothesis and the right hemisphere hypothesis of emotion both are not supported by the findings of CLEMs. In addition, the strongest interruption of vividness and emotionality is eye movement condition, followed by the gaze condition, while increasing in mere imagery condition. Vividness and emotionality are not significantly different between the horizontal and the vertical eye movement groups in the eye movement condition, however, the interruption of vividness and emotionality in the right gaze group is stronger than the left gaze group. According to these findings, the special effect of horizontal eye movements is not supported, neither is valence-specific laterality hypothesis. However, The right hemisphere hypothesis may be supported. In negative recollections, the heart rate does not have any trend in the eye movement condition, but increasing in gaze condition and nearly increasing in mere imagery condition. In summary, the results support the hypothesis: bilateral eye movements interrupt the patients’ spontaneous eye movements during traumatic recollections and decrease the vividness and emotionality of imagery. Lastly, the study discusses the theories of eye movements in EMDR, and proposes an integrated perspective.[Author abstract]

Keywords: Autobiographic Memory Eye Movement Valence-Specific Hypothesis

Accuracy Verified: Yes

4. 李元華 [Li YuanHua] (2008). 眼動在眼動減敏訊息再處理法中的療效機制探討：干擾自然眼動對回憶的影響 [The Therapeutic Mechanism of Eye Movements in EMDR: The effect of interrupting spontaneous eye movements during recollections]. 國立台灣大學，台灣 [National Taiwan University, Graduate Institute of PsychologyTaiwan].

Language: Chinese

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
本研究探討的作用眼球運動在眼動脫敏和再加工（EMDR的）。以往的研究指出，眼球運動能降低生動性和情感中的圖像。除了複製以前的研究，本研究提出一個假設：雙側眼球運動中斷了病人的自發性眼球運動創傷的回憶中，減少了生動性和情感性的意象。參加者為 132台大本科生參加了普通心理學課程。本研究操縱三個條件眼球運動，以實現不同的效果中斷生動，情緒和心率在正面和負面的自傳回憶。它也記錄眼球運動方向的自發召回期間，即克萊姆斯（共軛側眼動）。這三個條件的實驗是眼球運動，僅僅是圖像的目光和條件。眼動條件分為水平和垂直運動的團體和凝視條件分為左，右的目光群體。結果表明，該方向的克萊姆斯在正面和負面的回憶是一致的，但數字的右向左凝視超過凝視。價的具體偏側假說和右半球假說的情感都是不支持的調查結果克萊姆斯。此外，最強的中斷生動，情感的是眼睛的運行狀況，其次是凝視條件，而僅僅是提高圖像的條件。生動性和情緒之間沒有顯著不同的水平和垂直眼球運動團體在眼球運動狀況，但是，中斷的生動性和情緒在右凝視組強於左側凝視小組。根據這些發現，特效水平眼球運動不支持，也不是價的具體偏側假說。然而，右半球假說可能得到支持。在負的回憶，心率沒有任何的趨勢，在眼球運動的條件，但越來越多的目光幾乎增加條件和單純的意象條件。總之，結果支持這一假設：雙側眼球運動中斷了病人的自發性眼球運動創傷的回憶中，減少了生動性和情感性的意象。最後，本研究探討的理論眼球運動在EMDR的，並提出一個綜合觀點。

This study examines the role of eye movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Previous studies have pointed that eye movements could decrease the vividness and emotionality during imagery. Besides replicating previous studies, this study proposes a hypothesis: bilateral eye movements interrupt the patients’ spontaneous eye movements during traumatic recollections and decrease the vividness and emotionality of imagery. Participants are 132 NTU undergraduate students enrolled in the general psychology course. This study manipulates three conditions of eye movements in order to realize the effect of different interruptions to vividness, emotionality and heart rate during positive and negative autobiographic recollections. It also records the directions of spontaneous eye movements during recall, namely CLEMs (Conjugate Lateral Eye Movements). The three conditions of the experiment are eye movement, gaze and mere imagery conditions. The eye movement condition is divided into horizontal and vertical movement groups and the gaze condition is divided into left and right gaze groups. Results show that the directions of CLEMs in positive and negative recollections are coherent, however the numbers of rightward gazes are more than leftward gazes. The valence-specific laterality hypothesis and the right hemisphere hypothesis of emotion both are not supported by the findings of CLEMs. In addition, the strongest interruption of vividness and emotionality is eye movement condition, followed by the gaze condition, while increasing in mere imagery condition. Vividness and emotionality are not significantly different between the horizontal and the vertical eye movement groups in the eye movement condition, however, the interruption of vividness and emotionality in the right gaze group is stronger than the left gaze group. According to these findings, the special effect of horizontal eye movements is not supported, neither is valence-specific laterality hypothesis. However, The right hemisphere hypothesis may be supported. In negative recollections, the heart rate does not have any trend in the eye movement condition, but increasing in gaze condition and nearly increasing in mere imagery condition. In summary, the results support the hypothesis: bilateral eye movements interrupt the patients’ spontaneous eye movements during traumatic recollections and decrease the vividness and emotionality of imagery. Lastly, the study discusses the theories of eye movements in EMDR, and proposes an integrated perspective.

Keywords: Autobiographic Memory Valence-Specific Hypothesis

Accuracy Verified: Yes

5. 李元華, 張素凰 [Li Yuan-Hua, & Chang Sue Hwang] (2008). 眼動在眼動減敏訊息再處理法中的療效機制探討：干擾自然 [The therapeutic mechanism of eye movements in EMDR: the effect of interrupting spontaneous eye movements during recollections]. 臺灣大學:心理學研究所 [Taiwan: Institute of Psychology].

Language: Chinese

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
本研究探討雙側眼動在眼動減敏訊息再處理法(Eye movement Desensitization and reprocessing; EMDR)中的所扮演的角色，過去研究認為雙側眼動可以降低回憶時的影像鮮明度與情緒強度。本研究除了擬再次驗證此一論點外，同時也提出進一步的假設：雙側眼動干擾了個體在回憶創傷經驗時的自然眼動，進而降低其在回憶時的影像畫面清晰度以及情緒強度。參與者為132 名的修習普通心理學的台大學生。本研究操弄三種不同的眼動方式來探討不同的眼動干擾對正、負向自傳式回憶的影像鮮明程度、情緒強度以及心跳速率的影響，並且也記錄了參與者在回憶時自然眼動的方向性，即CLEMs (Conjugate Lateral Eye Movements)。本研究所操弄的眼動變項為眼動組、凝視組以及自然回憶組，眼動組又可分為水平眼動以及垂直眼動二操弄組、凝視組又可分為左凝視與右凝視二操弄組。結果顯示CLEMs 的方向性在正負向回憶中是一致的，整體來說偏右向次數大於左向，此並不符合情緒側化理論或情緒右腦理論。另外，相較於非眼動組，眼動組對鮮明度與情緒強度的下降程度最大，凝視組次之，自然回憶組則有上升趨勢。在眼動組中水平或垂直眼動的操弄在鮮明度與情緒強度上並無差異，而凝視組中的右凝視操弄組對影像鮮明度以及情緒強度的下降程度較左凝視操弄組大，此結果並不支持水平雙側眼動的特別療效，也不支持情緒側化理論，而較可能支持情緒右腦理論。在負向回憶時的心跳速率指標方面，眼動組並無上升趨勢，但非眼動組則有上升趨勢出現。研究結果支持眼動干擾了個體在回憶創傷經驗時的自然眼動，進而降低其在回憶時的影像畫面清晰度以及情緒強度。本研究最後對各眼動理論做了討論以提出整合性的觀點。

This study examines the role of eye movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Previous studies have pointed that eye movements could decrease the vividness and emotionality during imagery. Besides replicating previous studies, this study proposes a hypothesis: bilateral eye movements interrupt the patients’ spontaneous eye movements during traumatic recollections and decrease the vividness and emotionality of imagery. Participants are 132 NTU undergraduate students enrolled in the general psychology course. This study manipulates three conditions of eye movements in order to realize the effect of different interruptions to vividness, emotionality and heart rate during positive and negative autobiographic recollections. It also records the directions of spontaneous eye movements during recall, namely CLEMs (Conjugate Lateral Eye Movements). The three conditions of the experiment are eye movement, gaze and mere imagery conditions. The eye movement condition is divided into horizontal and vertical movement groups and the gaze condition is divided into left and right gaze groups. Results show that the directions of CLEMs in positive and negative recollections are coherent, however the numbers of rightward gazes are more than leftward gazes. The valence-specific laterality hypothesis and the right hemisphere hypothesis of emotion both are not supported by the findings of CLEMs. In addition, the strongest interruption of vividness and emotionality is eye movement condition, followed by the gaze condition, while increasing in mere imagery condition. Vividness and emotionality are not significantly different between the horizontal and the vertical eye movement groups in the eye movement condition, however, the interruption of vividness and emotionality in the right gaze group is stronger than the left gaze group. According to these findings, the special effect of horizontal eye movements is not supported, neither is valence-specific laterality hypothesis. However, The right hemisphere hypothesis may be supported. In negative recollections, the heart rate does not have any trend in the eye movement condition, but increasing in gaze condition and nearly increasing in mere imagery condition. In summary, the results support the hypothesis: bilateral eye movements interrupt the patients’ spontaneous eye movements during traumatic recollections and decrease the vividness and emotionality of imagery. Lastly, the study discusses the theories of eye movements in EMDR, and proposes an integrated perspective.This study examines the role of eye movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Previous studies have pointed that eye movements could decrease the vividness and emotionality during imagery. Besides replicating previous studies, this study proposes a hypothesis: bilateral eye movements interrupt the patients’ spontaneous eye movements during traumatic recollections and decrease the vividness and emotionality of imagery. Participants are 132 NTU undergraduate students enrolled in the general psychology course. This study manipulates three conditions of eye movements in order to realize the effect of different interruptions to vividness, emotionality and heart rate during positive and negative autobiographic recollections. It also records the directions of spontaneous eye movements during recall, namely CLEMs (Conjugate Lateral Eye Movements). The three conditions of the experiment are eye movement, gaze and mere imagery conditions. The eye movement condition is divided into horizontal and vertical movement groups and the gaze condition is divided into left and right gaze groups. Results show that the directions of CLEMs in positive and negative recollections are coherent, however the numbers of rightward gazes are more than leftward gazes. The valence-specific laterality hypothesis and the right hemisphere hypothesis of emotion both are not supported by the findings of CLEMs. In addition, the strongest interruption of vividness and emotionality is eye movement condition, followed by the gaze condition, while increasing in mere imagery condition. Vividness and emotionality are not significantly different between the horizontal and the vertical eye movement groups in the eye movement condition, however, the interruption of vividness and emotionality in the right gaze group is stronger than the left gaze group. According to these findings, the special effect of horizontal eye movements is not supported, neither is valence-specific laterality hypothesis. However, The right hemisphere hypothesis may be supported. In negative recollections, the heart rate does not have any trend in the eye movement condition, but increasing in gaze condition and nearly increasing in mere imagery condition. In summary, the results support the hypothesis: bilateral eye movements interrupt the patients’ spontaneous eye movements during traumatic recollections and decrease the vividness and emotionality of imagery. Lastly, the study discusses the theories of eye movements in EMDR, and proposes an integrated perspective.

Keywords: autobiographic Memory Eye Movements Valence-Specific Hypothesis

Accuracy Verified: Yes

6. 張素凰、 [Chang Sue-Hwang]. (2008年3月). 眼球運動中的作用機制 EMDR的治療：證據為基礎的研究 [Role of eye movements in the therapeutic mechanisms of EMDR: Evidence-based research]. 論文發表於2008年TACP（台灣臨床心理學協會）年度會議（第三次大會），專題討論會以證據為基礎研究在台灣第1節心理障礙，3月8-9日，政治大學，台北，台灣。（國科會91 -2413 - H型009 -鹽度-;國科會92 -2413 - H型002 -024-;國科會93 -2413 - H型002 -002-） [Presentation at the 2008 TACP (Taiwan Association of Clinical Psychology) Annual Conference (Third General Meeting), Symposium on Evidence-Based Research in Taiwan; Section of Mental Disorders, March 8-9, Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan. (NSC 91-2413-H-009-SSS-; NSC 92-2413-H-002-024-; NSC 93-2413-H-002-002-)].

Language: Chinese

Format: Conference

Abstract:
研討會以證據為基礎的研究，在台灣，部分精神疾病。（國科會 91 - 2413 - H的009 -量表中文），國家安全委員會 92 - 2413 - H的- 002 - 024 -）;國家安全委員會 93 - 2413 - H的- 002 - 002 -）眼動脫敏和再加工（EMDR;夏皮羅，1989 ，1995，2001）最近聲稱要有效地紓緩創傷後應激障礙的症狀，恐怖疾病。眼運動（電磁）是一種治療的關鍵因素，其治療機制有待澄清。在這個談話的目的是要研究系列報告，從我們的實驗室就EM的作用，治療機制 EMDR。具體來說，在EMDR程序被簡單地描述，EM的功效及工藝相比，暴露了問題。此外，對影響電磁情緒變化和生動的圖像或自傳記憶，改變數量和強度的語義協會的報告。此外，關於如何EMDR問題可能的工作，無論是電磁沒有添加任何超出了純粹接觸機制和電磁相互作用，價的刺激，他們的陳述順序進行了討論。最後，在EM的作用方面提出的刺激價為了從理論的角度來看，其臨床意義，提出和未來研究的可能性進行了討論。

Symposium on Evidence-Based Research, in Taiwan; Section of Mental Disorders. (NSC 91-2413-H-009-SSS-); NSC 92-2413-H-002-024-); NSC 93-2413-H-002-002-) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 1989, 1995, 2001) has recently been claimed to be effective in ameliorating the symptoms of PTSD and phobic disorders. Eye movement (EM) was one of the crucial treatment elements, of which the therapeutic mechanisms await elucidation. The aims of this talk were to report series of studies from our lab regarding the role of EM in the therapeutic mechanism of EMDR. Specifically, after EMDR procedure being briefly described, the efficacy of EM and its process compared to exposure were addressed. Further, the effects of EM on changes of emotionality and vividness of images or autobiographic memories, and changes of amount and strength of semantic associations were reported. Also, the issues regarding how EMDR might work, whether EM did add anything beyond the mechanisms of pure exposure, and the interplay of EM, valence of stimuli, and their presentation order were discussed. Finally, the role of EM in terms of stimulus valence presentation order from theoretical point of view and its clinical implications are proposed, and future research possibilities are discussed.

Keywords: Eye Movement Exposure Symposium Therapeutic Mechanism

Accuracy Verified: Yes

7. [Zhang, S. H. (Moderator)]. (1992). 角色認知素質和眼球運動創傷後應激障礙在情感的記憶（1/ 3） [The role of cognitive diathesis and eye movement in emotive memories of PTSD (1/3)]. 國立台灣大學理學院心理學系 [National Taiwan University, College of Science, Department of Psychology] NSC 91-2413-H-002-009-SSS-.

Language: Chinese

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Keywords: Cognitive Diathesis Imagery Vividness Negative Emotiveness Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

Accuracy Verified: Yes

8. van den Hout, M., Muris, P., Salemink, E., & Kindt, M. (2001). Autobiographical memories become less vivid and emotional after eye movements. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 40(2), 121-130. doi:10.1348/014466501163535.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Objectives: To test (1) whether eye movements during retrieval of emotional memories are followed by less vividness and less emotionality of future recollections, (2) whether this effect, if present, is stronger than the effects of a control activity (finger tapping), (3) whether the alleged effects of tapping and eye movements are stronger than a no-movement, control condition (mere imagery), (4) whether reductions in vividness and emotionality after eye movements (and finger tapping) are specific to negative memories or also occur in the case of positive memories. Method: 60 healthy volunteers recalled either positive or negative memories and scored the vividness and emotionality of the recollections. Next, memories were recalled whilst the participant was performing rapid eye movements, finger tapping, or not performing a dual task. Then participants were asked to recall the event again and to rate its vividness and emotionality. Results: Compared to finger tapping and the no-dual-task condition, recollections after eye movements made future recollections less vivid. After eye movements, but not after the other interventions, negative memories became less negative, and positive memories became less positive. Conclusion: The findings show that eye movements not only reduce vividness and emotionality of memories during the eye moving, but also affect future recollections, during which no eye movements are made. Some theoretical explanations are discussed. As to clinical implications, it is suggested that if there is a role for eye-movement-based treatments, it is very limited. [Author Abstract]

Keywords: Adolescents Cognitive Processes College Students Dutch Exposure Therapy Memory Impairment Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Survivors Treatment Effectiveness Young Adults

Accuracy Verified: Yes

9. 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

10. Rodriguez, T. (2013, January/February). Can eye movements treat trauma?. Scientific American Mind, 23(6), 9-9.

Language: English

Format: Magazine

Abstract:
The article focuses on the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research supports the concept of using eye movements in reducing the symptoms of PTSD. Researchers note that eye movements strip the patients' troubling memories of vividness and its distress. They discover the outperformed tones of eye movements in mitigating memories' vividness and emotional intensity level.

Keywords: Eye Movements Memory Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Treatment

Accuracy Verified: Yes

11. Sharpley, C. F., Montgomery, I. M., & Scalzo, L. A. (1996). Comparative efficacy of EMDR and alternative procedures in reducing the vividness of mental images. Scandinavian Journal of Behaviour Therapy, 25(1), 37-42. doi:10.1080/16506079609456006.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Nordisk Tidskrift för Beteendeterrapi: Data evaluating the effectiveness of EMDR suggest that, although it appears to be an effective treatment for many types of PTSDs, the major support comes from limited-subject case studies. To further investigate this issue, the relative efficacy (in comparison to simpler procedures) of EMDR for reduction of the vividness of subjects' memories was investigated in a non-clinical sample. Results indicated that EMDR was more successful than comparable techniques in reducing the intensity of subjects' mental images. [Author Abstract]

Keywords: Australians Empirical Study Males Treatment Effectiveness Treatment Outcome/Clinical Trial Young Adults

Accuracy Verified: Yes

12. 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

13. Eidhof, M. B. (2012). The contribution of emotion to the effects of EMDR. Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Until now, the effects of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), has been best explained by Working Memory (WM) theory. Research on the effects of EMDR has always concerned emotional memory, even though the WM account does not consider the emotional element in EMDR. Insights from neuroscience about emotion and its role in the consolidating of stimuli have led to questions that WM theory cannot address. Therefore, the present study introduces the WM/emotion theory on EMDR, which complements WM theory by incorporating knowledge about emotion and its expected role in EMDR treatment. WM/emotion theory expects emotion to play an important role in EMDR treatment, because the re-experiencing of emotion during the recall of an (traumatic) emotional memory seems to enhance (re)consolidation of the ‘blurred’ (as a result of taxing the WM) memory. If this is true, it means EMDR treatment would only affect memories with high emotional charge, and EMDR would be less effective with neutral memories. To test this hypothesis, an experiment was conducted in which negative emotional- and neutral memories of participants were treated with a lab version of EMDR (recall + eye movements (Recall+EM’s)) or a control intervention (Recall-only). It was expected that after Recall + EM’s the reduction of the vividness (and emotionality) would be larger for emotional memories than for neutral memories.It was found that after Recall+EM’s only the vividness (and emotionality) of emotional memories was reduced. The results of the present study suggest that emotion is a crucial element in EMDR treatment and knowledge about the workings of EMDR should be revised according to WM/emotion theory.

Keywords: Autobiographical Memories Consolidation Emotion Negative Memories Neutral Memories Reconsolidation Vividness Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

14. 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

15. Ligeon, S. N. (2011). De invloed van oogbewegingen en klikjes op de naarheid en levendigheid van negatieve herinneringen [The influence of eye movements and clicks into the nature and vibrancy of negative memories]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a widely applied therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this therapy patients make eye movements while recalling traumatic memories. It is suggested that EMDR taxes working memory and this reduces ratings of the vividness and emotionality of traumatic memories. Although this has been studied extensively for the effectiveness of eye movements, research on bilateral beeps is scarce. Whit a sample of 42 students we compared the effectiveness of eye movements and bilateral beeps. Results indicate that eye movements are more effective in reducing vividness and emotionality of negative memories. Indirectly testing a mechanism proposed by the Working Memory Theory, we found that participants with a larger working memory focused their attention more on the memory as compared to students with a smaller working memory. In sum we conclude that bilateral beeps are inferior to eye movements in the reduction of vividness and emotionality of memories

Keywords: Intrusive Memory Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Startle Reflex Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

16. Littel, M. (2013, April). De rol van emotionaliteit op de effectiviteit van EMDR [The role of emotionality in the effectiveness of EMDR]. In Onderzoek track 1 and 2. Presentatie op Het congres EMDR Vereniging EMDR Nederland, Nijmegen, Nederland.

Language: Dutch

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Als tijdens het ophalen van een autobiografische herinnering een andere taak wordt uitgevoerd die het werkgeheugen belast, zoals het maken van oogbewegingen, wordt de herinnering waziger terug opgeslagen: de levendigheid en emotionaliteit van de herinnering neemt af. Dit fenomeen kan verklaren waarom EMDR zo goed werkt als behandeling voor PTSD. Al het onderzoek dat tot nu toe gedaan is naar de effecten van oogbewegingen op herinneringen maakte gebruik van emotionele (positieve/negatieve) herinneringen. In de huidige presentatie zal worden ingegaan op de rol van deze emotionaliteit op de effectiviteit van EMDR. Uit onderzoek blijkt dat emotionele gebeurtenissen beter en gedetailleerder in het geheugen worden opgeslagen dan neutrale gebeurtenissen. Dit gebeurt als gevolg van verhoogde emotionele arousal, ofwel verhoogde afgifte van diverse stoffen in het brein, met als belangrijkste noradrenaline. Als noradrenaline wordt geblokkeerd met medicatie worden emotionele gebeurtenissen namelijk even slecht onthouden als neutrale. Ook tijdens het ophalen van emotionele herinneringen ontstaat er emotionele arousal. En het blokkeren van noradrenaline na het ophalen van een emotionele herinnering zorgt ervoor dat deze minder intens wordt terug opgeslagen in het geheugen. Emotionaliteit zorgt dus voor betere geheugen (re)consolidatie. De vraag is nu of het feit dat de in EMDR opgehaalde herinneringen emotioneel geladen zijn belangrijk is voor de effectiviteit van EMDR. En zo ja, zorgt de emotionele arousal die vrijkomt er dan voor dat de wazig-gemaakte herinneringen beter worden opgeslagen in het geheugen? Of werkt het op een andere manier? In de huidige presentatie zullen de resultaten worden besproken van een studie waarin onderzocht is of ook levendige neutrale herinneringen, net als emotionele herinneringen, door oogbewegingen minder levendig kunnen worden. Voorts zullen plannen besproken worden voor een studie naar oogbewegingen waarin emotionele arousal gemanipuleerd wordt. Ook zullen wetenschappelijke en klinische implicaties worden besproken.

If during the retrieval of autobiographical memories another task that taxed working memory, such as making eye movements, the reminder is stored back blurred: the vividness and emotionality of the memory decreases. This phenomenon may explain why EMDR works so well as a treatment for PTSD. All the research done so far has been on the effects of eye movements made use of emotional memories (positive / negative) memories. In the current presentation will discuss the role of emotionality on the effectiveness of EMDR. Studies show that emotional events better and more detailed in the memory than neutral events. This happens due to increased emotional arousal, or increased release of various substances in the brain, the main noradrenaline. If norepinephrine is blocked with medication emotional events are remembered because as bad as neutral. During the retrieval of emotional memories creates emotional arousal. And blocking norepinephrine after getting an emotional memory makes it less intense back stored in memory. Emotionality thus provides better memory (re) consolidation. The question now is whether the fact that the EMDR retrieved emotionally charged memories are important for the effectiveness of EMDR. And if so, will the emotional arousal released sure the blurry-made memories are better stored in memory? Whether it works in a different way? In the current presentation, the results are discussed from a study which investigated is whether vivid memories neutral, like emotional memories, by eye movements may be less vivid. Further plans will be discussed for a study of eye movements in which emotional arousal is manipulated. Also, scientific and clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords: Emotionality

Accuracy Verified: Yes

17. van Arkel, E. P. M., & Baas, A. M. (2008, Juni). De rol van het op afstand beleven en het herbeleven in eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) [The role of the remote experience and relive in eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Dit onderzoek was voor ons zowel een eerste kennismaking met Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) als een eerste kennismaking met het klinische werkveld. Naast het leerzame traject van het onderzoek zelf, waren deze aspecten een speciale aanvulling op onze scriptie. Wij hebben dan ook met veel enthousiasme aan deze scriptie gewerkt en ons op verschillende gebieden breder ontwikkeld. Wij zijn voornamelijk blij dat wij „op de valreep van onze studie‟ nog kennis hebben mogen maken met de behandelmethode EMDR. Het is een behandelmethode die wij in onze verdere loopbaan binnen de psychologie zeker mee zullen nemen. Onze dank gaat uit naar de therapeuten en cliënten die mee wilden werken aan dit onderzoek. Zonder deze medewerking was dit onderzoek immers niet tot stand gekomen! Daarnaast willen wij graag onze begeleidster mw. dr. H.K. Hornsveld bedanken voor het overbrengen van haar enthousiasme voor EMDR en al haar op- en aanmerkingen op ons onderzoek. Mede dankzij haar is dit onderzoek goed afgerond en is ons enthousiasme gegroeid.

This study gave us both a first encounter with Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a first introduction to the clinical field. Besides the educational process of research itself, these issues were a special addition to our thesis. We also have enthusiastically worked on this paper and our wider development in various fields. We are especially pleased that we are "at the very end of our study" may even be familiar with the EMDR treatment method. It is a treatment that in our careers in psychology will certainly take it. Our thanks go to the therapists and clients who wanted participate in this study. Without this cooperation, this research was not realized! In addition, we want our companion mw. Dr. H.K. Hornsveld thanks for transferring her enthusiasm for EMDR and all her observations and comments on our research. Partly thanks to her that this study is well rounded and our enthusiasm grew.

Keywords: Desensitization, Distancing Reliving Vividness

Accuracy Verified: Yes

18. Hoogwerf, L. J. (2011, Februari). De werkingsmechanismen van EMDR: het effect van associeren op het desensitiseren van negatieve herinneringen [The mechanisms of action of EMDR: The effect of associating the desensitisation of negative memories]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is een effectieve behandeling voor posttraumatische stress stoornis (PTSS). Het maken van oogbewegingen tijdens het terugdenken aan een negatieve herinnering is in vele voorgaande onderzoeken effectief gebleken in het verminderen van de naarheid en levendigheid van deze herinneringen. Een ander belangrijk onderdeel van deze behandeling, associëren, is echter nog niet goed onderzocht. Een mixed design is toegepast met 40 participanten, studenten, die ieder twee nare herinneringen ophaalden. 20 participanten hebben oogbewegingen gemaakt, waarbij tijdens één herinnering niet werd geassocieerd en tijdens de andere herinnering wel. De andere 20 participanten hebben geen oogbewegingen gemaakt (fixatie op een wit papier) ook met en zonder associëren. Er is geen effect gevonden van oogbewegingen, maar wel een effect van associaties. Bij participanten die gestimuleerd werden om associaties te maken, daalden de naarheid en levendigheid van de negatieve herinnering meer dan bij participanten die hiertoe niet gestimuleerd werden. Ook de aard van verschillende typen associaties is onderzocht. Uit de hiervoor berekende correlaties komt naar voren dat de naarheid en levendigheid van de negatieve herinnering minder afnemen wanneer men inde fixatieconditie van een afstand naar de gebeurtenis kijkt. In de oogbewegingenconditie neemt de naarheid juist meer af wanneer men van een afstand naar de gebeurtenis kijkt. De bevindingen ondersteunen het gebruik van associaties in de praktijk waarbij het van een afstand naar de gebeurtenis kijken het meest effectief lijkt.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Making eye movements during recall to a negative memory in many previous studies have proven effective in reducing the dreariness and vividness of these memories. Another important part of this treatment, associate, has not yet been well studied. A mixed design was used with 40 participants, students, each fetched two bad memories. 20 participants have eye movements made during a memory which was not associated with and during the other memory is. The other 20 participants have made no eye movement (fixation on a white paper) with or without associate. There is no effect of eye movements, but an effect of associations. For participants who were encouraged to make associations, decreased to nature and vibrancy of the more negative memories than participants who were not encouraged to do so. The nature of different types of associations was examined. From the above calculated correlations show that the dreariness and vibrancy of the negative memories less gas when classification fixation condition from a distance watching the event. the oogbewegingenconditie more precisely, the dreariness away from a distance when looking at the event. The findings support the use of associations in which the practice of distance to the event looking like the most effective

Keywords: Mechanisms of Action

Accuracy Verified: Yes

19. Rijken, T. A. (2012). De werkzaamheid van eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Ondersteuning voor een afleidingstheorie [The efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Support for a theoretical derivation]. Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
De eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) interventie wordt veelvoudig gebruikt in de gezondheidszorg en is een van de meest onderzochte interventies voor posttraumatische stress-stoornis. De populariteit van deze interventie kan mede worden toegeschreven aan de aangetoonde werkzaamheid van EMDR voor het verminderen van traumasymptomen. EMDR is een behandeling die bedoeld is om de helderheid en aversiviteit van traumaherinneringen te verminderen. Tijdens de interventie staat het ophalen van traumatische herinneringen en tegelijkertijd het maken van oogbewegingen centraal. De laatste jaren zijn labstudies toegepast om te achterhalen hoe EMDR precies werkt. Uit deze studies blijkt dat de belasting van het werkgeheugen door een duale taak een belangrijk component van EMDR is. Het werkgeheugen heeft namelijk een beperkte capaciteit. Dit zorgt ervoor dat er minder capaciteit beschikbaar is voor de traumatische herinnering wanneer deze tijdens de behandeling wordt belast met een taak (bv. oogbewegingen). De werkgeheugentheorie is bruikbaar, maar er is wellicht een simpelere verklaring voor de werkzaamheid van EMDR: afleiding. Het is praktisch te weten hoe EMDR werkt zodat er meer duidelijkheid ontstaat over hoe EMDR precies moet worden toegepast. Daarnaast is het begrip van de werking van EMDR belangrijk voor het vaststellen van eventuele bruikbaarheid bij meerdere stoornissen. Het doel van huidig experiment is het kritisch onderzoeken of er een verschil is tussen het ophalen van een negatieve herinnering met een visuele afleidingstaak en het ophalen van een negatieve herinnering met het maken van oogbewegingen op de mate van levendigheid en emotionaliteit. Daarnaast dient het onderzoek als replicatie van Kavanagh et al. (2001) die hetzelfde beoogde te onderzoeken, maar geen rekening hield met de cognitieve belasting van de taken. Uit de resultaten van het huidige onderzoek blijkt dat de oogbewegingstaak en de visuele afleidingstaak verschillen in de mate van vertraging op de reactietijdtaak. De oogbewegingen leiden tot een grotere vertraging. Desondanks laten de resultaten van het experiment zien dat tijdens het toepassen van de interventies de visuele ruis tot grotere reductie van zowel levendigheid als emotionaliteit leidt in vergelijking met de oogbewegingen en het niets doen. Oogbewegingen laten intermediaire resultaten zien. Het lijkt er op dat de resultaten in strijd zijn met de gangbare werkgeheugentheorie en de ‘afleidingstheorie’ ondersteunen als verklaring voor de werkzaamheid van EMDR. Het is wellicht afleiding dat voldoende zou kunnen zijn om de werkzaamheid van EMDR te bewerkstelligen. Meer onderzoek is nodig om deze resultaten te ondersteunen.

The Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) intervention is multiple used in health care and is one of the most studied treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder. The popularity of this intervention may also be attributed to the demonstrated efficacy of EMDR for reducing trauma symptoms. EMDR is a treatment designed to reduce the brightness and aversiviteit memories of trauma reduction. During the intervention is retrieving traumatic memories while making eye movements centrally. In recent years labstudies used to determine how EMDR works. These studies show that the load on working memory by a dual task is an important component of EMDR. The memory has a limited capacity ie. This ensures that there is less capacity available for the traumatic memory during treatment when it is subjected to a task (eg eye movements). The working memory theory is useful, but there may be a simpler explanation for the efficacy of EMDR: distraction. It is practical to know how EMDR works so that more clarity about exactly how EMDR should be applied. In addition, the concept of the operation of EMDR important for determining the potential usefulness in multiple disorders. The purpose of the present experiment is to critically examine whether there is a difference between getting a negative memory with a visual distraction task and retrieval of a negative memory making eye movements on the degree of vividness and emotionality. Research must also as a replication of Kavanagh et al (2001) that the same was intended to investigate, but took no account of the cognitive load of the tasks. The results of the present study show that the oogbewegingstaak and visual distraction task differences in the extent of delayed response task. The eye movements lead to a longer delay. Nevertheless, the results of the experiment show that while applying the intervention visual noise to greater reduction in both vividness and emotionality results in comparison with the eye movements and do nothing. Eye movements show intermediate results. It seems that the results are contrary to the usual working memory theory and the "distraction theory 'support as an explanation for the efficacy of EMDR. It might distractions that may be sufficient to establish the efficacy of EMDR to achieve. More research is needed to support these results.

Keywords: Theory Derivation Working Memory Theory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

20. Vojtova, H., Bob, P., & Ptacek, R. (2012). Desenzitizace a zpracování pomocí očních pohybů (EMDR) - Psychologické a neurobiologické souvislosti terapie posttraumatické stresové poruchy [Desensitization and processing using eye movements (EMDR) - A psychological therapy connection neurobiological posttraumatic stress disorder]. Československá Psychologie, 56(5), 463-472.

Language: Czech

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desenzibilizace a přepracování (EMDR) představuje slibný přístup k léčbě posttraumatické stresové poruchy. Empirické poznatky poskytují důkazy o vlivu EMDR na snížení subjektivně vnímané živostí a emocionální zátěž z autobiographic vzpomínek a na snížení vzrušení autonomního nervového systému přesouváním rovnováhy směrem aktivace parasympatiku. Poslední hypotézy naznačují, že účinky EMDR spoléhají na neurobiologických mechanismů pracujících v duálním zaměřit pozornost, orientující reflex a REM spánek. Toto přepracování se zdá vyvolat specifickou neurobiological odpověď, že dělá pro zpracování informací v centrálním nervovém systému efektivnější, zejména u jedinců s PTSD.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) represents a promising approach to treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. The empirical findings provide evidence for the effect of EMDR on decreasing of subjectively perceived vividness and emotional burden of autobiographic memories and on reducing arousal of the autonomic nervous system by shifting the balance towards parasympathetic activation. Recent hypotheses suggest that the effects of EMDR rely on neurobiological mechanisms employed in dual focus attention, orienting reflex and REM sleep. This reprocessing seems to provoke a specific neurobiological response that makes the information processing in central nervous system more efficient, particularly in individuals with PTSD [Author Abstract].

Keywords: Neurobiology Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

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. Rooijmans, J., Rosenkamp, N. H. G., Vernholt, P., & Visscher, R. A. (2012). The effect of eye movements on craving, pleasantness and vividness in smokers. Social Cosmos, 3(2), 200-214.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
The presence of craving is an important factor in continuing smoking. Following the Elaborated Intrusion (EI) theory of Desire, craving is effective through the formation of smoking-related mental images. In the current study, craving was generated through the use of a future personal smoking-related image. Eye movements were observed in accordance with the Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) intervention. The effect of these eye movements on craving was investigated. In addition, the effect of eye movements on the pleasantness and vividness of the image was examined. 36 participants took part in a withinsubjects design with repeated measures. In line with expectations, perceived craving decreased immediately after the experimental condition (eye movements) was experienced. This decrease was not found in the control condition (fixation on a plain wall). After recall of the smoking-related image, the extra measurement showed that the decrease was temporary. Contrary to expectations, the degree of pleasantness and vividness did not decrease after eye movements. In conclusion, the eye movements were found to have only a temporary effect on craving for cigarettes, and did not result in desensitization of the pleasantness and vividness of the personal smoking-related images.

Keywords: Craving EI-Theory Eye Movement Smoking

Accuracy Verified: Yes

23. Becich, H. A. (1995). The effect of varying the rate of the eye movements in eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) with battered women. California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, CA. AAT 9531596.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
The rapid saccades used in eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) have been reputed to be critical to its efficacy. To evaluate this hypothesis, the rate of the eye movements was varied in this study. Subjects included 27 battered women who were rated PTSD-positive by a modified version of the Symptom Checklist (MSC). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: EMDR Fast, EMDR Slow or Control.Prior to treatment, subjects completed the Revised Impact of Events Scale (IES). Treatment involved one experimental session lasting up to 90 minutes. Dependent variables included the Subjective Units of Distress (SUDs) (derived from the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale), the Validity of Cognition (VOC) and the Vividness of Traumatic Image (VTI) Scales as well as the Intrusion subscales of the MSC and the IES. At post-treatment one week later, subjects again provided responses to the five dependent variables and, for ethical reasons, were provided another session of treatment at the EMDR Fast rate if their SUDs were 2 or greater. Results of the mixed, two factor analyses indicated no differences between the groups. Hence, the outcomes showed that the rapid eye movements did not provide a differential treatment effect as hypothesized. All groups experienced improvement on the SUDs and VTI Scales and the MSC Intrusion subscale, supporting occurrence of an exposure effect. This investigation was the first controlled EMDR study conducted with battered women, as well as the first experiment on this procedure using a clinical population in which the rate of the eye movements was varied. [Author Abstract] Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering. 56(5-B), Nov 1995, pp. 2854

Keywords: Adults Americans Battery Empirical Study Follow-up Study Females Posttraumatic Stress DIsorder PTSD Spouse Abuse Survivors Treatment Effectiveness Treatment Outcome/Clinical Trial

Accuracy Verified: Yes

24. 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

25. Lee, C. W., & Drummond P. D. (2008, June). Effects of eye movement versus therapist instructions on the processing of distressing memories. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22(5), 801-808. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.08.007.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
The effectiveness of components of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) was tested by randomly assigning 48 participants to either an eye movement or an eye stationary condition and to one of two types of therapist instructions (reliving or distancing). Participants were university students (mean age 23) who were asked to recall a personal distressing memory with measures of distress and vividness taken before and after treatment, and at follow-up. There was no significant effect of therapist's instruction on the outcome measures. There was a significant reduction in distress for eye movement at post-treatment and at follow-up but overall no significant reduction in vividness. Post hoc analysis revealed a significant reduction in vividness only for the eye movement and distancing instruction condition. The results were consistent with other evidence that the mechanism of change in EMDR is not the same as traditional exposure.

Keywords: Empirical Study Eye Movement Follow-Up Study Quantitative Study Randomized Comparison

Accuracy Verified: Yes

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. Lee, C. (2006, May). Efficacy and mechanisms of action of EMDR as a treatment for PTSD. Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
The first aim of this thesis was to describe the characteristics of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to elucidate its place as a symptom disorder that sometimes develops when people are exposed to a traumatic event. The current major theoretical approaches to account for why some people who are exposed to trauma develop PTSD and the mechanisms by which this occurs were described. Three classes of theories were reviewed: conditioning/learning approach; information processing theories with a particular focus on the meaning of the trauma event; and biological models with an emphasis on recent neurocircuitry and neurochemistry models. Successful treatment approaches were then reviewed which indicated two major contenders for the most efficacious treatment for PTSD: traditional cognitive behaviour therapies (CBT) using either stress inoculation or prolonged exposure; and eye movement desensitisation and processing (EMDR). Prior to the first study (Lee, Gavriel, Drummond, Richards, and Greenwald, 2002), a review of the literature indicated equivalent effects for EMDR and CBT. There had been very few direct comparison studies and each had serious methodological flaws, particularly with respect to random assignment and treatment fidelity. Therefore, the first study ensured adequate attention to these areas and involved a direct comparison between the two procedures using a sample of 24 participants diagnosed with PTSD. EMDR and stress inoculation training with prolonged exposure were found to lead to similar symptom improvement at the end of treatment, apart from a slight advantage for EMDR on intrusion symptoms. Both treatments led to significantly greater symptom reduction than a wait list control condition. At follow-up, EMDR led to greater gains on both self-report and observer rated measures of PTSD and self-report measures of depression. Overall, the findings were similar to those described in previously published studies, with a suggestion that EMDR was slightly more efficient than the standard CBT approach. Given that the evidence suggested that EMDR was a more efficient treatment, it became critical to understand the underlying processes. A process study was undertaken that examined the responses of people with PTSD receiving EMDR treatment (Lee, Taylor, and Drummond, 2006). Guided by process studies of other treatments and theories that might account for why EMDR is effective, participants' responses were examined to see which models better accounted for symptom improvement. The main analysis tested whether or not the responses were consistent with processes that occurred during traditional CBT treatment, which prior research had identified as reliving, or whether they were more consistent with Shapiro's proposal that enhanced information processing occurs because there is a dual focus of attention (that is, the person simultaneously focuses on an external stimulus and on the traumatic memory) (Shapiro, 1995). The responses made by 44 participants were coded by an independent rater according to whether they were primarily reliving, distancing, affect or material other than the primary trauma. The coding system was found to have satisfactory inter-rater reliability. Greatest improvement occurred when the participant processed in a more detached or distant manner, whereas reliving responses were not associated with improvement. Cross-lagged panel correlations suggested that processing in a more detached manner was a consequence of the EMDR procedure rather than a measure that co-varied with improvement. The findings underscored a difference in the processes that underlie EMDR and traditional CBT. The major question left unanswered from this second study was what causes this distancing process? Competing views were that it was facilitated by eye movement; alternatively, the therapist's instructions to participants might have precipitated this distancing phenomenon. The third study tested these ideas by randomly assigning 48 participants to either an eye movement or a no eye movement condition under two types of therapist instructions (reliving or distancing). Participants recalled personal distressing memories, and measures of distress and vividness were taken after treatment and at follow up. Only the eye movements made a significant difference to people's level of distress. This conclusion appeared at odds with some of the previous literature that had tested the effects of eye movement on levels of distress. A meta-analysis of some of this research had suggested that there was no significant advantage of including eye movement in EMDR treatment unless the person had been diagnosed with PTSD. However, a close examination of this meta-analysis indicated some major methodological flaws in the computation; therefore, this was recalculated. The conclusion from this fourth study was consistent with study three in that EMDR with eye movement was found to lead to significantly greater improvement that EMDR without eye movement. The results of these four studies were then discussed in terms of their implications for the theoretical models presented in Chapter 1. Aspects of learning theory that might account for EMDR efficiency were discussed as well as the failure of this model to account for treatment gains following EMDR. Information processing models were seen to better account for some of the phenomena observed in EMDR and for the findings from the four studies. Some suggestions of how eye movements might facilitate improved information processing were presented. Finally, the relative merits of EMDR and CBT treatments were discussed and suggestions made for when to combine approaches. The conclusions highlight the point that EMDR appears to be the most promising treatment for PTSD.

Keywords: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

Accuracy Verified: Yes

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. Lytle, R. A., Hazlett-Stevens, H., & Borkovec, T. D. (2002). Efficacy of eye movement desensitization in the treatment of cognitive intrusions related to a past stressful event. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 16(3), 273-288. doi:10.1016/S0887-6185(02)00099-3.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Much of the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) efficacy research has been widely criticized, limiting scientific understanding of its therapeutic components. The present investigation of Eye Movement Desensitization (EMD) effectiveness included undergraduate students reporting current intrusive cognitions concerning a traumatic event. Forty-five participants received a single treatment session of either: (a) EMD, as described by Shapiro [J. Behav. Ther. Exp. Psychiatry 20 (1989b) 211], (b) an identical procedure which employed eye fixation on a stationary target, or (c) non-directive counseling. Standardized self-report, subjective rating, Daily Diary, and intrusive thought sampling measures were collected before and after treatment. Results indicated that participants in the eye fixation group reported marginally (p<.052) fewer cognitive intrusions than the non-directive group 1 week following treatment. No significant differences between the EMD and non-directive conditions or between the EMD and eye fixation conditions on this measure were found. During the treatment session, both desensitization groups were superior to the non-directive group in reducing reported vividness of the mental image of the original event. However, the non-directive group improved to the level of the two other groups by the following week. Rapid saccadic eye movements were therefore unrelated to immediate treatment effects for this sub-clinical sample, and non-directive treatment largely yielded eventual outcomes equivalent to the two desensitization conditions (Pilots).

Keywords: Biologic Markers College Students Intrusive Thoughts Negative Therapeutic Reaction Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Stressors Survivors Treatment Effectiveness Witnesses

Accuracy Verified: Yes

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

Language: English

Format: Journal

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

Keywords: Attentional Breathing Mindfulness Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

35. Hoeven, S. B. (2010, Juli ). EMDR en de werkgeheugentheorie: Treden er spiegelbeeldige effecten op bij oogbewegingen en imaginatie? [EMDR and the working memory theory: Are there mirror-image effects of eye movements and imagination?]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
De werking van „Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing‟ (EMDR) is lange tijd onbekend gebleven, maar inmiddels zijn meerdere theorieën beschikbaar om de effecten te verklaren. De werkgeheugentheorie lijkt momenteel de theorie met de meeste wetenschappelijke ondersteuning. Het doel van het huidige onderzoek was het kritisch toetsen van de werkgeheugentheorie door het werkgeheugen te belasten met oogbewegingen tijdens het ophalen van een herinnering of maximale belasting door imaginatie en hyperconcentratie op de herinnering. Verwacht werd dat 1) oogbewegingen tijdens ophalen de herinneringen minder emotioneel, helder, compleet en waarheidsgetrouw maakt, terwijl 2) imaginatie van de herinnering resulteert in spiegelbeeldige effecten. In totaal participeerden 52 studenten verdeeld over twee experimenten, waarbij zij oogbewegingen en imaginatie aangeboden kregen tijdens het ophalen van een herinnering. Zowel oogbewegingen als imaginatie belastten het werkgeheugen in een reactietijdentaak. Imaginatie leidde tot meer complete en waarheidsgetrouwe herinneringen, terwijl voor oogbewegingen geen significante resultaten werden gevonden. Deze opmerkelijke resultaten zouden verklaard kunnen worden door de aard van de gebruikte herinneringen en de lage power van het onderzoek. De werkgeheugentheorie blijft de theorie met de meeste wetenschappelijke ondersteuning.

It has been long unknown what the mechanisms are behind Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing‟ (EMDR), meanwhile there are several theories available to explain its effects. The workingmemory (WM) account seems to be a theory with most scientific support. The effort of the present study was to critically test the WM account by taxing WM with eye movements during recall or by maximum taxation with imagination of and concentration on the memory. Hypotheses were 1) eye movements during recall reduces the emotionality, vividness, completeness and veracity of the memory, while 2) imagination increases emotionality, vividness, completeness and veracity of the memory. In total participated 52 students divided in two experiments, in a within-subjects design. Both eye movements and imagination taxed WM in a reaction time task. Imagination increased the completeness and veracity of the memories, while there were no significant results in the eye movements condition. These remarkable results could be explained by the nature of the memories that were used in the experiments and low statistical power of the experiments. The WM account remains a theory with most scientific support.

Keywords: Imagination Mirror-Image Effects

Accuracy Verified: Yes

36. Shapiro, F., Beutler, L., Norcross, J., Maxfield, L., & Rogers, S. (2002). EMDR research and its future: Ecological validity, process research, component analysis, outcome findings, and sociopolitical context. Panel discussion at the Society for Psychotherapy Research International Conference, Santa Barbara, CA.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
This panel presentation addresses ecological validity, process factors, methodological variables, and sociopolitical context in the interpretation and dissemination of outcome research. Since its introduction, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) has been the focus of controversy because of its departure from existing paradigms, its non-traditional dissemination, and immoderate claims for rapid effectiveness. This panel reviews the socio-political context in which EMDR developed and its relevance for other emerging psychotherapeutic approaches. Findings from a recent methodological meta-analysis are reviewed to provide an empirical context for assessing the range of results in different outcome studies. Specific client, therapist, and methodological variables that could account for disparities in outcome are examined and implications for interpreting research outcomes are discussed. The panel also summarizes the findings of various recent studies that identified the effects of eye movements as decreasing vividness and emotionality of memory, physiological arousal, and in-session subjective distress. Findings from two recently completed studies are reported in which both process variables and active ingredients were examined. Limitations of the group design approach to the dismantling of psychotherapies are also discussed.

Keywords: Panel Discussion

Accuracy Verified: Yes

37. Hornsveld, H. (2008, Maart). EMDR werkt! Maar hoe? [EMDR works! But how?]. Presentatie op de derde conferentie van de Vereniging EMDR Nederland, Ede, Nederland.

Language: Dutch

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Het leidt geen enkele twijfel dat EMDR een effectieve behandelvorm is. EMDR is opgenomen in de guidelines van de International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) waarbij zowel EMDR als Imaginaire Exposure (IE) als ‘treatment of choice’ bij de behandeling van PTSS gelden. Ook in de Nederlandse GGZ-richtlijnen (Trimbos Instituut, 2003) worden EMDR en imaginaire exposure (IE) genoemd als superieure behandelvormen voor PTSS. Rechtstreekse vergelijking van CGt en EMDR leverde echter wisselende resultaten op. Over het geheel genomen kan worden gesteld dat wat betreft effectiviteit er geen duidelijk verschil is vastgesteld tussen CGt en EMDR. Dit is opvallend, omdat de procedures en de veronderstelde werkingsmechanismen bij IE en EMDR duidelijk verschillen. Bij IE wordt reliving essentieel geacht en bij EMDR distancing. Hier is echter nog nauwelijks expliciet onderzoek naar gedaan; het meeste onderzoek heeft zich tot nu toe gericht op de effectiviteit van EMDR en op de rol van de BLS. In deze presentatie zullen drie eigen experimenten worden besproken die worden uitgevoerd met masterstudenten van de Universiteit Utrecht naar het effect van reliving versus distancing. Het onderzoek bouwt voort op het werk van de Chris Lee en zijn collega’s. (Lee et al 2006) In het onderzoek worden 3 experimenten uitgevoerd, waarbij de variabele distancing en reliving worden gevarieerd. Verondersteld wordt (vanuit de EMDR visie) dat responses tijdens de desensitisatiefase, die getuigen van distancing leiden tot meer verbetering dan responses die getuigen van reliving. Een tweede onderzoeksvraag die wij beogen te beantwoorden is of dit verschil groter is voor narigheid uit het domein “zelfwaardering” dan voor narigheid uit het “domein controle en machteloosheid”. Een derde onderzoeksvraag betreft de vraag of een verhoogde parasympatische (arousal onderdrukkende) activiteit (een reeds aangetoond effect van BLS) samengaat met veranderingen in SUD-niveau en levendigheid van de herinneringen. De workshop is bedoeld voor therapeuten die geïnteresseerd zijn in de achtergronden van EMDR. Op zo eenvoudig mogelijke wijze zal een overzicht worden gegeven van de “state of the art” met betrekking tot de veronderstelde werkingsmechanismen. Dit zal worden geïllustreerd met bovengenoemd onderzoek en videomateriaal. Aan het eind van de workshop zal de therapeut zijn cliënten en collega’s iets meer kunnen zeggen dan “ dat EMDR de verwerking stimuleert door de linker en de hersenhelften beter te laten samenwerken, waardoor gevoel en verstand beter met elkaar verbonden raken.”

There is no doubt that EMDR is an effective form of treatment. EMDR is included in the guidelines of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) where both EMDR and imaginal exposure (IE) as treatment of choice in the treatment of PTSD are. Also in the Dutch mental health care directives (Trimbos Institute, 2003) are EMDR and imaginal exposure (IE) identified as superior forms of treatment for PTSD. Direct comparison of CBT and EMDR yielded mixed results, however. Overall it can be stated that in terms of effectiveness there is no clear difference observed between CBT and EMDR. This is striking because the procedures and mechanisms assumed by IE and EMDR markedly different. When IE is reliving considered essential to EMDR and distancing. There is still little research has been done explicitly, most research has hitherto focused on the effectiveness of EMDR and the role of the BLS. This presentation will discuss three own experiments conducted with master students of the University of Utrecht to the effect of relieving versus distance. The research builds on the work of Chris Lee and his colleagues. (Lee et al 2006) In the study, three experiments, with variable distancing and reliving be varied. It is assumed (from the EMDR vision) that responses during desensitisatiefase, evidence of distancing lead to more improvement than responses that show reliving. A second research question we seek to answer is whether this difference is in trouble from the domain "esteem" than for trouble from the "domain control and powerlessness". A third research question concerns whether an increased parasympathetic (arousal suppressive) activity (an effect already demonstrated BLS) is associated with changes in SUD level and vividness of the memories. The workshop is designed for therapists interested in the backgrounds of EMDR. In the simplest possible manner, an overview of the state of the art "regarding the supposed mechanisms of action. This will be illustrated with the above study and video material. At the end of the workshop, the therapist will have clients and colleagues can say little more than "that EMDR stimulates the processing by the left and the brain work better together, making sense and intellect more interrelated."

Keywords: Practice Theory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. Blok, T. P., Casteleijn, W. N., Winkler, T. J., & Hakimi, S. (2012). EMDR: Werkgeheugenbelasting bij negatief-emotionele herinneringen [EMDR: Working memory load on negative emotional memories]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Eye Movement Deprocessing and Recall (EMDR) is een therapievorm waarbij met het maken van oogbewegingen getracht wordt traumatische herinneringen te verwerken. Hoewel effectief, is de werking van EMDR nog onduidelijk. Uit eerder onderzoek is gebleken dat het ophalen van neutrale herinneringen in combinatie met oogbewegingen niet, maar negatief emotionele herinnering wel leiden tot een afname van emotionaliteit en levendigheid. Dit zou verklaard kunnen worden doordat het ophalen van een emotionele herinnering meer werkgeheugencapaciteit kost dan het ophalen van een neutrale herinnering. Deze hypothese is onderzocht door bij 23 participanten een reactietijd taak af te nemen waarbij zij geen, een negatieve en een neutrale herinnering ophaalden. Zoals verwacht bleek dat het ophalen van negatieve herinneringen in combinatie met de reactietijdtaak leidde tot een significant langere reactietijd dan in de overige twee condities.

Eye Movement Deprocessing and Recall (EMDR) is a form of therapy that making eye movements attempt traumatic memories. Although effective, the operation of EMDR still unclear. Previous research has shown that the retrieval of neutral memories in combination with eye movements, but negative emotional memory or cause a decrease in emotionality and vividness. This could be explained by the retrieval of emotional memories more working memory consuming than getting a neutral reminder. This hypothesis was examined by a reaction time task in 23 participants to take off where they do not, a negative and a neutral memory fetched. As expected, it was found that the retrieval of negative memories in conjunction with the reaction time task resulted in a significantly longer reaction time than in the other two conditions.

Keywords: Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

42. 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

43. de Bok, D., & van Daalen, M. (2010, June). Exploring the mechanism underlying the working memory account of EMDR: The effect of fading in and fading out of negative and arousing images on emotionality, vividness, vividness, completeness and detail recall of traumatic memories. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychological intervention for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Currently, the working memory account gives the best explanation for the functionality of EMDR. This account states that conducting a dual task, mostly horizontal eye movements, while retrieving a traumatic memory will make this memory less emotional, vivid and complete. It was hypothesized that the fading in and/or fading out of traumatic images are in itself causally contributing to the reduced emotionality, vividness and completeness of the recalled memories. This experimental study (N=27) examined the fading in (the image starts vague and gets more clear) and fading out (the image starts clear and gets more vague) of traumatic images as an underlying mechanism of the working memory account. By using a within-subject design, participants engaged in three conditions (fading in, fading out and control) in which they had to rate their memories on emotionality, vividness and completeness. A detail recall test was also conducted for all conditions. No significant differences were found between the three conditions on emotionality, vividness and completeness. However, a trend was found indicating that fewer details were recalled in the fading out condition. Based on these results, the hypothesis that fading in or fading out will result in diminishing emotionality, vividness and completeness was not confirmed. Shortcomings of the experiment and implications for future research are addressed

Keywords: Fading in Fading out Traumatic Image Working Memory Account

Accuracy Verified: Yes

44. van Es, A. K. & Schoen, J. M. (2008, Juni). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Effect van instructies op de verwerking van nare herinneringen [Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Effect of instructions on the processing of unpleasant memories]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Op basis van eerder onderzoek door Lee en Drummond (2007), heeft dit onderzoek onderzocht de invloed van de aard van de therapeut instructies (herbeleven en afstand) op de verwerking van pijnlijke herinneringen. Bovendien, dit onderzoek onderzocht of het type van het trauma ook de manier waarop het geheugen wordt verwerkt invloeden. Het onderzoek is uitgevoerd door en onder studenten. Een gedetailleerd protocol - gebaseerd op de originele Eye Movement Desensibilisatie and Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 1989)-protocol werd gebruikt. De deelnemers (13 mannen en 23 vrouwen, gemiddelde leeftijd 22,4 jaar) werden gevraagd om een pijnlijke herinnering roepen, waarna de inhoud van het geheugen was gedesensibiliseerd herbeleven door een van beide of afstand instructies. De resultaten tonen geen verschil in effectiviteit tussen afstand en herbeleven voorwaarden. Verder werden geen verschillen gevonden tussen de condities onmacht en schuld / schaamte. Mede op basis van de gebruikte maatregelen kan worden geconcludeerd dat de manipulatie van de voorwaarden is mislukt. Voor toekomstig onderzoek wordt aanbevolen dat het protocol worden uitgebreid en de voorwaarden van het type van het trauma worden aangepast. Verder is het aangeraden om een controle conditie toe te voegen aan het onderzoek, om te bepalen of de bilaterale stimuli doeltreffend zijn en of ze invloed op de effectiviteit van de therapeut instructies.

Based on previous research by Lee and Drummond (2007), this research has examined the influence of the type of therapist instructions (reliving and distancing) on the processing of distressing memories. Furthermore, this research examined whether the type of the trauma also influences the way the memory is being processed. The research has been conducted by and among university students. A detailed protocol – based on the original Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 1989) protocol –was used. Participants (13 males and 23 females, mean age 22.4 year) were asked to recall a distressing memory, after which the content of the memory was desensitized by either reliving or distancing instructions. Results show no difference in effectiveness between reliving and distancing conditions. Furthermore, no differences were found between the conditions powerlessness and guilt/shame. Partly based on the used measures it can be concluded that the manipulation of the conditions failed. For future research it is recommended that the protocol be expanded and the conditions of the type of trauma be adjusted. Furthermore it is recommended to add a control condition to the research, in order to determine whether bilateral stimuli are effective and whether they influence the effectiveness of therapist instructions.

Keywords: Distancing Reliving Vividness

Accuracy Verified: Yes

45. Deen, M. L., & Droogendijk, J. S. (2008, Juli). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Effect van therapeutinstructies op psychologische en fysiologische maten [Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Effect of therapist instructions on psychological and physiological measures]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Op basis van eerder onderzoek door Lee en Drummond (2007) heeft dit onderzoek onderzocht de invloed van de aard van de therapeut instructies (herbeleven en afstand) op de verwerking van pijnlijke herinneringen. De hypothese was dat afstand instructies, instructies ten opzichte van herbeleven, zou leiden tot een sterkere daling van subjectieve angst en nowness van het evenement. Bovendien was de verwachting dat de levendigheid van het evenement zou afnemen tijdens de sessie, ongeacht de instructies. In elke onder de sympathische en parasympathische activiteit van het zenuwstelsel wordt gemeten. Het was verondersteld dat de sympathische activiteit zou een sterkere daling in de afstand conditie moet beschikken in vergelijking met de toestand herbeleven. Een sterkere stijging werd verwacht voor de parasympathische activiteit in de afstand staat, in vergelijking met de toestand herbeleven. Bovendien, aan het begin van de zitting van de sympathische activiteit hoger zou zijn in het herbeleven conditie dan in de afstand voorwaarde dat, in tegenstelling tot de parasympathische activiteit. Het onderzoek is uitgevoerd door en onder universitaire studenten. Een gedetailleerd protocol - gebaseerd op de originele Eye Movement en Desensibilisatie Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 1989) protocol - werd gebruikt. De deelnemers (12 mannen en 24 vrouwen, gemiddelde leeftijd 22,4 jaar) werden gevraagd om een pijnlijke herinnering roepen, waarna de inhoud van de geheugen was gedesensibiliseerd door een herbeleving of afstand instructies. De resultaten tonen geen verschil in doeltreffendheid (Suds, Nowness-Scale en levendigheid) tussen afstand en herbeleven voorwaarden. Er was ook geen significant verschil gevonden in het sympathische (PEP) en parasympathische (HR-en RMSSD) activiteit. Mede op basis van de gebruikte maatregelen kan worden geconcludeerd dat de manipulatie van de voorwaarden is mislukt. Voor toekomstig onderzoek wordt aanbevolen dat het protocol worden uitgebreid en het toevoegen van een controle conditie aan het onderzoek. [Auteur abstracte]

Based on previous research by Lee and Drummond (2007) this research has examined the influence of the type of therapist instructions (reliving and distancing) on the processing of distressing memories. It was hypothesized that distancing instructions, compared to reliving instructions, would cause a stronger decrease in subjective distress and nowness of the event. Furthermore it was expected that the vividness of the event would decrease during the session, regardless of the instructions. In every subject the sympathetic and parasympathetic activity of the nervous system is measured. It was supposed that the sympathetic activity would have a stronger decrease in the distancing condition compared to the reliving condition. A stronger increase was expected for the parasympathetic activity in the distancing condition, in comparison with the reliving condition. Moreover, at the beginning of the session the sympathetic activity would be higher in the reliving condition than in the distancing condition, in contrast to the parasympathetic activity. The research has been conducted by and among university students. A detailed protocol – based on the original Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 1989) protocol – was used. Participants (12 males and 24 females, mean age 22.4 year) were asked to recall a distressing memory, after which the content of the memory was desensitized by either reliving or distancing instructions. Results show no difference in effectiveness (SUDS, Nowness-Scale and Vividness) between reliving and distancing conditions. There was also no significant difference found in the sympathetic (PEP) and parasympathetic (HR and RMSSD) activity. Partly based on the used measures it can be concluded that the manipulation of the conditions failed. For future research it is recommended that the protocol be expanded and to add a control condition to the research. [Author abstract]

Keywords: Physiological Measures Psychological Measures Therapist's Instructions

Accuracy Verified: Yes

46. Gupta, D., Tank, P., & Mehrotra, S. (2011, January). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): A promising psychotherapeutic intervention. Presentation at the 63rd Annual National Conference of Indian Psychiatric Society, New Delhi, India.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
It doesn’t matter how long the memories have been stored and for how long they have been exerting a negative effect on the child. Children reprocess their traumas more quickly in EMDR than in other therapies and becomes desensitized to the painful memories and images. The EMDR procedures results in: 1) Decreasing the vividness of disturbing memory, images and related affect. 2) Facilitating access to more adaptive information. 3) Forging new associations within and between memory networks.

Keywords: Practice Theory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

47. Engelhard, I., & van den Hout, M. A. (2010, October). Eye movements reduce vivedness and emotionality of "flashforwards". In symposium experimental psychopathology (S. Masaraki, Chair). Presentation at the 40th Annual Meeting of European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT), Milan, Italy.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Keywords: Emotionality Flashforwards Psychopathology Symposium Vividness

Accuracy Verified: Yes

48. Engelhard, I. M., & van den Hout, M. A. (2010, May). Eye movements reduce vividness and emotionality of "flashforwards". Presentation at the annual meeting of Association for Psychological Science (APS), Boston, MA.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Keywords: Flashforwards Poster

Accuracy Verified: Yes

49. 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

50. 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

51. Barrowcliff, A. L., Gray, N. S., Freeman, T. C. A., & MacCulloch, M. J. (2004, June). Eye-movements reduce the vividness, emotional valence and electrodermal arousal associated with negative autobiographical memories. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 15(2), 325–345. doi:10.1080/14789940410001673042.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of eyemovements on subjective and psychophysiological measures of arousal and distress associated with positive and negative autobiographical memories. These memories were ‘brought-to-mind’ whilst engaging in eye-movement or eyes-stationary conditions in a counterbalanced within subjects design, with pre and post eye-condition subjective ratings of emotional valence and image vividness. Participants also rated current symptomatology associated with negative memories using the Impact of Events Scale. Engagement in eye-movements compared to the eyes-stationary condition resulted in significant reductions on measures of vividness and emotional valence for both positive and negative autobiographical memories. Reductions in electrodermal arousal were only observed when engaging in eye-movements following elicitation of the negative memory. This effect was observed independently of symptom severity.

Keywords: Eye Movements

Accuracy Verified: Yes

52. Tutarel-Kislak, S. (2004, December). Görme engelli bireyde göz hareketleriyle duyarsizlastirmave yeniden isleme tedavi yönteminin dize Hhafifçe vurma alternatifininuygulanmasi: Bir olgu sunumu [A knee tapping variant of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing with a blind person: A case report]. Türk Psikoloji Yazilari, 7(14), 77-90.

Language: Turkish

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Bu çalışmada, Göz Hareketleriyle Duyarsızlaştırma ve Yeniden İşleme yaşlı, kör erkek üniversite öğrencisi bir 26 yıl kullanıldı. Onun görsel handikap nedeniyle, diz vurma işlemi EMDR alternatif olarak kullanılmaktadır. kardeşinin ölümünden sonra intihar girişiminde sonra müşteri bir kriz merkezinde tedavi oldu. Onun psikolojik sıkıntı (ve, görmek ve dokunmak onu morga zorla kardeşinin ölümünden sonra, örneğin, soğukluk ve koku ölüm vücudun hakkındaki duyumları) özel anıları ile ilgili, günlük yaşamda onu rahatsız etti. kardeşinin ölüm, intihar öyküsü, suçluluk, çaresizlik hakkında O'nun anıları ve düşüncelerini o diğerleri seans boyunca değerlendirildi hayal kırıklığına söyledi. Bilişsel-örgü tekniği de oturumları sırasında kullanılmıştır. Kısa Semptom Envanteri (KSE) ön ve son test ölçümleri olarak uygulanmıştır. üç ay kadar, bu BSI puanları genellikle indirdi olduğu bulunmuştur takip iki seans ve bir aylık ve sonra. Ayrıca, o onun kişisel gelişim bir ilerleme olduğunu bildirdi. Olgu bildirilmektedir bir kör kişi ile EMDR tekniğinin formu dokunarak diz ilk başarılı uygulama olduğunu anlamda ilginçti. Bu çalışmanın sonuçları travmatik görüntüleri canlılığını işitme nedeniyle ve kokulu o EMDR çalışmalarda olarak azalmış olacaktır dokunmadan gösterdi. Bu makalede ayrıca EMDR yöntemi ve etkinlik hakkında olumsuz sonuçlarını içermektedir. (PsycINFO Veritabanı Record (c) 2008 APA, tüm hakları saklıdır) (dergi soyut)

In this study, the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing was used with a 26 years old, blind male university student. Because of his visual handicap, knee tapping procedure has been used as an alternative to the EMDR. After his brother's death he attempted to suicide and then the client had a therapy in a crisis center. His psychological distress related to specific memories (e.g., after his brother's death, being forced to the morgue to see and touch him, and his sensations about coldness and scent of the death body) was bothering him in his daily life. His memories about his brother's death, suicidal history, guiltiness, helplessness, and his thoughts that he disappointed the others were evaluated throughout the sessions. Cognitive-weave technique was also utilized during the sessions. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) was applied as a pre and post test measures. After the two sessions and one-month and three-month follow-up, it was found that the BSI scores were generally lowered. In addition, he reported that he had a progress in his personal growth. The case reported here was interesting in the sense that it was the first successful application of knee tapping form of the EMDR technique with a blind person. The results of this study showed that the vividness of traumatic images due to hearing, smelling and touching would be reduced as in the EMDR studies. This article also includes the negative results about EMDR method and its efficacy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved)(from the journal abstract)

Keywords: Blind Clinical Case Study Knee Knee Tapping

Accuracy Verified: Yes

53. Meredith, F. (2012, May 1). A healer of the past. Irish Times. Retrieved from http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2012/0501/1224315400207.html on 5/1/2012.

Language: English

Format: Newspaper

Abstract:
“EMDR helps the vividness of the distressing imagery become less emotionally disturbing. It helps turn negative self-belief into something more positive,” says Paterson. [Excerpt]

Keywords: General Overview Paterson

Accuracy Verified: Yes

54. 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

55. 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

56. van Beek, F. (2011). Het werkingsmechanisme van EMDR en het effect van associëren op negatieve herinneringen [The mechanism of action of EMDR and the effect of associating to negative memories]. .

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is een effectieve behandeling voor PTSS. Twee belangrijke onderdelen van deze behandeling zijn het maken van oogbewegingen en associaties tijdens het ophalen van een negatieve herinnering. Uit eerder onderzoek blijkt dat het maken van oogbewegingen de naarheid en de levendigheid van een stilstaand beeld van een negatieve herinnering vermindert. De rol van het stimuleren van associëren tijdens de behandeling is niet eerder onderzocht, terwijl dit wellicht ook tot een afname van de naarheid en levendigheid kan leiden. Therapeuten merken op dat niet enkel de naarheid en levendigheid van het beeld verandert. Andere aspecten lijken ook te veranderen, zoals de scherpte van het beeld, de mate waarin het beeld dichtbij lijkt te staan, het aantal details van het beeld en de mate waarin iemand het gevoel heeft teruggebracht te worden naar het moment dat de gebeurtenis plaatsvond. Aan dit onderzoek, met een gemengd binnen en tussen proefpersonen design, hebben 40 studenten deelgenomen. Elke deelnemer haalde twee negatieve herinneringen op. 20 deelnemers maakten oogbewegingen. Deze groep werd tijdens het ophalen van één herinnering wel gestimuleerd om associaties te maken, en bij de andere herinnering niet. De andere 20 deelnemers werden geen oogbewegingen aangeboden, zij fixeerden hun blik op een wit vel papier. Ook bij deze groep werd tijdens het ophalen van één herinnering wel geassocieerd, en bij de andere herinnering niet. Het effect van oogbewegingen is in dit onderzoek niet teruggevonden. Wel is er een effect van associëren gevonden. Het maken van associaties tijdens het herinneren van negatieve herinneringen vermindert de naarheid en levendigheid van die herinneringen. Verder blijkt uit dit onderzoek dat het beeld van een negatieve herinnering minder scherp wordt, en dat de mate waarin iemand het gevoel heeft teruggebracht te worden naar het moment dat de gebeurtenis plaatsvond vermindert. Deze veranderingen kunnen echter niet verklaard worden door het gebruik van associaties of oogbewegingen. De bevindingen van het onderzoek tonen een belangrijk effect aan van het associëren tijdens de behandeling EMDR.

And Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for PTSD. Two important components of this treatment are making eye movements and associations during retrieval of a negative memory. Previous research shows that making eye movements to the nature and the vibrancy of a still image of a negative memory reduces. The role of stimulating associate during treatment has not been previously investigated, while this might also lead to a decrease in lead and liveliness. Therapists noted that not only the dreariness and vividness of the image changes. Other aspects also seem to change like the sharpness of the image, the extent to which the image appears to be close, the amount of detail of the image and the degree to which one feels to be reduced to the time the event occurred. In this study, with a mixed within and between subjects design, 40 students have participated. Each participant took two negative memories. 20 participants made eye movements. This group was while retrieving a memory is encouraged to make associations, and other non reminder. The other 20 participants were offered no eye movements, they fixated their gaze on a white sheet of paper. Also in this group, while retrieving a memory is associated, and not in the other memory. The effect of eye movements in this study found. However, there is an effect of associating found. Making associations during recall of negative memories reduce the dreariness and vividness of these memories. It also appears from this study that the image of a negative memory less sharp, and the degree to which one feels to be reduced to the time the event occurred decreases. These changes, however, can not be explained by the use of associations or eye movements. The findings of the study show a significant effect of associating during EMDR treatment.

Keywords: Mechanisms of Action Negative Memories

Accuracy Verified: Yes

57. 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

58. 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

59. 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

60. Chang, S. H., & Lee, Y. H. (2006, September). Interference of eye movements during recollections changes the vividness and emotionality of autobiographical memories?: A crucial test of possible EMDR mechanisms. Presentation at the 36th Annual Congress of the EABCT (European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies), Paris, France. (NSC 93-2413-H-002-002-).

Language: English

Format: Conference

Keywords: Autobiographical Memories Eye Movements

Accuracy Verified: Yes

61. Chang, S. H. & Lee, Y. H. (2006, September). Interference of spontaneous eye movements during recollections changes the vividness and emotionality of autobiographical memories?: A crucial test of possible EMDR mechanisms. Presentation at the 36th annual congress of the EABCT (European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies), Paris, France.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
This study examined possible therapeutic mechanism of eye movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Several studies have reported that bilateral eye movements during imagery could decrease vividness and emotionality of recollections. This study proposed a hypothesis, that was, the reduction of recall was due to the interference of spontaneous eye movements including conjugate lateral eye movements (CLEMs). 110 undergraduate students (47 men, 63 women) recalled two positive and two negative memories (the CLEMs of these memories were recorded by a digital camera at the same time) and rated their vividness and emotionality of the recollections. Next, participants recalled the memories while they were engaging in five between-group conditions (bilateral eye movements, left gaze, right gaze, central gaze, and mere imagery condition). Then participants recalled the event again and rated its vividness and emotionality. The results showed that the bilateral eye movements made autobiographical memories less vivid and less emotive, while mere image increased the vividness and emotionality of autobiographical memories (ps < .05). Importantly, there was only one significant Valence × Time interaction effect (p < .05) in the left gaze condition. It showed that right hemisphere involved more negative emotions than positive, whereas left hemisphere involved no differences between negative and positive emotions. With regard to CLEMs, there were no different lateral eye movements between negative and positive memories. The study supported the idea that bilateral eye movements during imagery could decrease vividness and emotionality of recollections, and that interfering spontaneous eye movements changed vividness and emotionality of autobiographical memories. The role of eye movements in the EMDR was discussed.

Keywords: Autobiographical Memory CLEM Eye Movements Gaze Direction

Accuracy Verified: Yes

62. Chang, S. H. & Lee, Y. H. (2005, August). Interfering CLEM reduces vividness and emotionality of autobiographical memories. Presentation at the 2005 American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, DC C. (NSC 93-2413-H-002-002-).

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Research background: It was noted that when people recalled an emotional event, there is a spontaneous eye movements during retrieval of memory, known as conjugate lateral eye movements (CLEM). Eye movements during mental imagery are not epiphenomenal but assist the process of image generation (Hebb, 1968; Brandt & Stark, 1997). If restricted to a fixed point, then the image of recall is impaired (Laeng & Teodorescu 2002). These findings might shed light on why bilateral eye movements during imagery could decrease vividness and emotionality of recollections. Objectives: Based on the above findings, this study examined possible therapeutic mechanism of eye movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 1989, 1995, 2001), of which eye movement was a crucial treatment component. Specifically, the hypothesis that interfering CLEM via introducing bilateral eye movements or a fixed position could reduce vividness and emotionality of autobiographical memories was examined in the present study. Further, whether there are different CLEMs (more rightward in positive and more leftward in negative) during retrieval of positive and negative memories was also investigated. Method: Seventeen healthy volunteers recalled two positive and two negative memories and rated their vividness and emotionality of the recollections. Next, memories were recalled whilst the participant was performing either bilateral eye movements (interference of CLEM) or mere image condition (non-interference of CLEM). Then participants were asked to recall the event again and to rate its vividness and emotionality. Vividness and emotionality ratings were analyzed using a 2 (EM condition: bilateral eye movement vs. mere image) × 2 (valence of memory: positive vs. negative) × 2 (time: before vs. after the intervention) repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). During the first and last recall of each memory CLEM were recorded by a digital camera. To examine the effect of CLEM during recollections on emotionality and vividness of autobiographical memories, eye movements in each recall were counted into percentage time of eye gaze in three regions (leftward, middle, rightward), instead of counting the first lateral eye movement as used by the traditional method. Results: Compared to mere image condition, recollections after bilateral eye movements made subsequent recollections less vivid and less emotive, while the opposite was true for mere image condition. Regarding vividness, the 2 × 2 × 2 ANOVA showed that there was a significant condition × time interaction. None of the other interactions or main effects reached significance. Simple main effect indicated that the change in vividness was significant in the mere image condition, but not in the eye movement condition. As to emotionality, the three way ANOVA showed that there was also a significant condition × time interaction. None of the other interactions or main effects reached significance. Simple main effect indicated that the change in emotionality was significant in the mere image condition, and in eye movement condition. Concerning percentage of gaze direction (left, right) in positive and negative memories, pair t test showed that there was a significant right gaze difference between positive and negative memories, and approached significant left gaze difference between positive and negative memories. With regard to CLEM, negative memories showed less right gazes and more left gazes than positive memories. Conclusion:The bilateral eye movements made autobiographical memories less vivid and less emotive than mere image condition, while mere image increased the vividness and emotionality of autobiographical memories. Further, there is different CLEM for negative and positive memories. While the hypothesis that interference of CLEM reduced the vividness and emotionality of autobiographical memories was confirmed, the role of eye movement in the EMDR was discussed and future research possibilities are proposed.

Keywords: Autobiographical Memory CLEM Eye Movements Gaze Direction

Accuracy Verified: Yes

63. Shapiro, F. (2012, October). Introduction to EMDR therapy. Presentation at the Pre-Meeting Institute of the 28th Annual Meeting of ISTSS, Los Angeles, CA.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
This presentation will introduce the basics of EMDR therapy and provide an overview of treatment. Both the theoretical foundation and recent research findings will be explored. EMDR is an evidence-based psychotherapy supported by more than 20 randomized controlled studies. Meta-analyses have indicated that the effects of EMDR on PTSD symptoms are comparable to those of trauma-focused CBT. However, EMDR therapy does not require homework, sustained arousal, detailed descriptions of the index trauma, or extended exposure to the event. While the eye movement component has been the subject of controversy, in the past decade an additional 20 randomized trials have evaluated the eye movements and demonstrated significantly superior effects compared to “exposure-only” conditions. The eye movements have been shown to (a) decrease the emotionality and vividness of memories, (b) create physiological relaxation responses, (c) facilitate access to associative memories and (d) lead to an increase in recognition of correct information. Two dominant theories regarding the role of the eye movements have emerged: (1) disruption of working memory and (2) elicitation of an orienting response. The research and clinical implications will be examined. The goals of this presentation parallel those of the conference itself by allowing participants to evaluate ways in which EMDR therapy offers innovations in both conceptualization and clinical treatment. These innovations include ways to support therapy retention and increase stability for those clients ordinarily considered too fragile to tolerate memory processing. Outreach can also be increased through the use of consecutive-day trauma treatment. Relevant research will be reported on the use of EMDR therapy with diverse populations. Participants will learn how the adaptive information processing theory that guides EMDR therapy practice offers a reconceptualization of (a) psychopathology, (b) therapeutic change, (c) the therapy relationship, (d) preparation for processing and (e) the multiple methods included in the therapy. The presentation will provide participants with the theoretical basis for EMDR therapy, an overview of the eight treatment phases, the three-pronged selection of processing targets, pertinent research, as well as applications to the full range of trauma victims. Videotaped sessions will demonstrate diverse treatment effects and provide participants with comparisons to other research-supported trauma treatments. 1-Describe the relevant research findings 2-Identify the components of the standard EMDR therapy three-pronged approach to processing 3-Contrast EMDR therapy with other empirically supported trauma treatments

Keywords: Practice Theory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

64. Lytle, R. A. (1993). An investigation of the efficacy of eye-movement desensitization in the treatment of cognitive intrusions related to memories of a past stressful event. Pennsylvania State University. AAT 9334778.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
A novel clinical technique, referred to as "eye-movement desensitization," has recently been reported to rapidly achieve significant reductions in the frequency and intensity of the two primary symptoms of PTSD; cognitive intrusions and the behavioral and emotional avoidance of trauma related fear cues. The current study was intended to provide an experimentally controlled replication of this procedure. The 45 students with the highest scores on a self-report questionnaire were selected for participation in the study and randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions. These conditions included "eye-movement desensitization," "eye-fixation desensitization," and a non-directive control condition.Sessions One and Three consisted of pretest and posttest assessment respectively, administered by questionnaire and behavioral measures of cognitive intrusions relating to the reported trauma. Session Two, consisted of immediate pretest and posttest assessment of information regarding subjective discomfort, perceived validity of adaptive cognitions, and vividness of images related to the reported trauma. The results of this experiment indicated that treatment-related pretest to posttest change was limited to (a) a relative reduction in cognitive intrusions for the eye-fixation group compared to the other treatment conditions, and (b) initial superiority of both desensitization techniques in immediately reducing subject distress, vividness of the initial image (and for eye-fixation, improved validity of an adaptive cognition) in comparison to the non-directive condition. The latter condition, however, then achieved equivalent gains by one-week follow-up. It was concluded that: (a) the relative efficacy of the eye-movement desensitization technique, was not supported in this non-clinical population, (b) to the degree that the outcomes resulting from the two desensitization conditions were at variance from those of the more traditional non-directive technique, those differences appear to have been predominantly transient in character, and (c) the induction of saccadic eye-movements did not demonstrably function as an active component of treatment within this experimental context. It was additionally concluded that further research will be required to satisfactorily resolve the discrepant findings of experimentation and case reports regarding the efficacy of this technique. Specific suggestions for further research were presented. [Truncated Author Abstract] [Pilots]

Keywords: Biologic Markers College Students Intrusive Thoughts Negative Therapeutic Reaction Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Stressors Survivors Treatment Effectiveness Witnesses

Accuracy Verified: Yes

65. Lanting, J. M. (2012). Is EMDR imagination deflation? Een onderzoek naar de effecten van oogbewegingen en geconcentreerde imaginatie op herinneringen [Is EMDR imagination deflation? A study on the effects of eye movements and concentrated on memories imagination]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is een veelgebruikte, effectieve therapievorm die onder andere voor posttraumatische stressstoornis (PTSS) gebruikt wordt. Imagination Inflation (II) kan optreden na het toepassen van geconcentreerde imaginatie op een herinnering. Bij EMDR worden herinneringen minder levendig en minder emotioneel. Het omgekeerde gebeurt bij II; door geconcentreerde imaginatie lijken herinneringen juist levendiger en emotioneler te worden. De vraag is of EMDR begrepen kan worden als inverse van II. De effecten van EMDR zijn goed te modelleren onder laboratoriumcondities. Als II het omgekeerde is van EMDR dan zouden onder dezelfde labcondities, maar met het vervangen van oogbewegingen door geconcentreerde imaginatie, er omgekeerde effecten op moeten treden van EMDR. Namelijk een toename van levendigheid en emotionaliteit van herinneringen. Methoden; 60 proefpersonen hebben deelgenomen aan het onderzoek, verdeeld over twee groepen. De eerste groep werd gevraagd twee negatieve herinneringen op te halen en participeerde met de ‘’alleen ophalen conditie’’ en ‘’ophalen + oogbewegingen’’. De tweede groep werd gevraagd om twee neutrale herinneringen op te halen en nam deel aan de ‘’alleen ophalen conditie’’ en ‘’ophalen + geconcentreerde imaginatie’’. Resultaten; Bij oogbewegingen zijn geen significante resultaten gevonden. Geconcentreerde imaginatie liet een toename in de levendigheid van de herinnering zien ten opzichte van de controlegroep, maar liet geen verandering in de emotionaliteit zien. Conclusie; Aangezien er geen effect gevonden is van oogbewegingen kan er niet gesteld worden dat II het tegengestelde is van EMDR. Echter in eerder onderzoek is de werking van EMDR aangetoond en in deze studie is er bij II een effect gevonden, daarom is verder onderzoek noodzakelijk.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a much used and effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Imagination Inflation (II) could occur after making use of concentrated imagery on a memory. Memories become less vivid and emotional after EMDR. The opposite happens with II; with concentrated imagery memories seem to become more vivid and emotional. It is the question whether EMDR can be understood as the reverse of II. EMDR effects are easily modeled under lab conditions. If II is the reverse of EMDR under the same lab conditions, except for the replacement of eye movements with concentrated imagery, then reverse effects of EMDR could be expected. For II the expectation is an increase of vividness and emotionality of memories. Methods; 60 participants took part in this research, they were divided into two groups. The first group was asked to recollect two negative memories and participated in the ‘’recall only’’ condition and ‘’recall + eye movements’’ condition. The second group was asked to recollect two neutral memories and participated in the ‘’recall only’’ condition and ‘’recall + concentrated imagery’’ condition. Results; No significant results were found for eye movements. The vividness of the memory increased with concentrated imagery in comparison to the control condition, no effect was found on emotionality. Conclusion; Based on the fact that there were no results found for eye movements, it cannot be stated that II is the opposite of EMDR. Nevertheless, earlier research proved the effects of EMDR and this research showed an effect of II, therefore more research is necessary.

Keywords: Eye Movements Imagination

Accuracy Verified: Yes

66. Rogers, S. (2002, June). Latest findings in EMDR process research and component analyses. In L. Beutler, Discussant, EMDR research and its future: Ecological validity, process research, outcome findings, and socio-political context (Panel Discussion, June 24) (SPR) Society for Psychotherapy Research, International Conference, Santa Barbara, CA .

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
EMDR has gained recognition as an effective PTSD treatment, with effects comparable to prolonged exposure or combinations of exposure with cognitive restructuring. Attempts to dismantle EMDR have led some reviewers to conclude that the eye movements are an inert treatment component and that EMDR is simply a form of exposure therapy. However, several studies have shown that eye movements are associated with decreased subjective distress during treatment sessions, decreased vividness and emotionality of mental imagery, decreased physiological arousal and enhanced episodic memory. These findings have implications for clinicians who are interested in ‘ease of useEas well as treatment outcome. They also have implications for the habituation/extinction model of anxiety reduction. Limitations of the group design approach to the dismantling of psychotherapies will be discussed, along with the results of two recently completed studies.

Keywords: CBT Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy Component Analysis Process Research

Accuracy Verified: Yes

67. Rogers, S. (2003, August). Latest findings in EMDR process research and component analysis. Presentation at the 111th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
EMDR has gained recognition as an effective PTSD treatment, with effects comparable to prolonged exposure or combinations of exposure and cognitive restructuring. Attempts to dismantle EMDR have led some reviewers to conclude that the eye movements are an inert treatment component and that EMDR is best regarded as a form of exposure therapy. However, several studies have shown that eye movements are associated with decreased subjective distress during treatment sessions, decreased vividness and emotionality of mental imagery, decreased physiological arousal and enhanced episodic memory. These finding have implications for clinicians who are interested in 'ease of use' as well as treatment outcome. They also have implications for the habituation model of anxiety reduction. This presentation provides a review of the results of group and single-case EMDR component analyses, methodological issues and suggestions for future research.

Keywords: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD

Accuracy Verified: Yes

68. Chang, S. H. (2005). Mechanism of EM in EMDR: Change strength of semantic associations. Presentation at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Washington, DC.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Research background & objectives: Based on REM-sleep dependent memory reprocessing model, this study examined possible therapeutic mechanisms of eye movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 1989, 1995, 2001). Stickgold (2002) proposed that sleep induced change in associative memory via activation of weak association during REM state and EMs functioned as REM sleep to integrate the episodic memory of trauma into general semantic memory. Specifically, the effect of EM in relation to order of relatedness of associations on change of strength of semantic associations for negative words after saccadic bilateral eye movements was examined in the present study. Methods: Sixty-four college students were recruited as participants. Via semantic priming task, a 2 (eye movement condition: horizontal saccadic eye movements vs. no eye movements) × 3 (strength of semantic association: strong priming vs. weak priming vs. unrelated priming) × 2 (block order of presentation: related prime first vs. unrelated prime first) mixed factorial design was performed, with strength of semantic association serving as within Ss factor and the other two variables serving as between Ss factors. The primes consisted of negative word stimuli. Each trials consisted of an 8 seconds saccadic horizontal eye movement manipulation (200 ms per movement in EM condition), followed by 500-msec fixation point and then prime displayed for 32msec, which was followed immediately by the target. The participant was instructed to read the target as soon as possible and the reaction time was recorded by the compuer. While absolute primeability index for strong (or weak) association was calculated as (RT related – RT unrelated) for strong primes or weak primes, respectively, relative primeability index was calculated as (RT related – RT unrelated)/RT unrelated. The dependent variables were correct (%), error (%), and primeability index for each of strong prime and weak prime. Change of primeability of weak associations for negative stimuli as opposed to that of strong ones under different EM conditions and different block order was compared. Results: For absolute primeability index, the 2 (EM condition) × 2 (order) × 2 (strength of priming) ANOVA showed that only the interaction effect of EM × strength of semantic association was approaching significance, indicating that weak priming significantly exceeded strong priming after EM (F (1, 56) = 18.01, p < .001; partial ω 2= .210), while the opposite was true after non-EM (F (1, 56) = 25.86, p < .0001; partial ω 2 = .280). Further, for weak prime, the priming effect was stronger after EM than after non-EM (F (1, 56) = 74.62, p < .0001; partial ω 2 = .535). For relative primeability index, it also revealed that only the interaction effect of EM × strength of semantic association was significant (F (1, 56) = 6.09, p < .02; partial ω 2 = .074), and tests of simple main effects showed similar patterns as those of absolute primeability index. Conclusions: 8s EMs was associated with change of strength of semantic associations. While EM didn’t weaken the primeability for the strong association, EM did enhance the primeability for weak associations. Further, weak priming significantly exceeded strong priming after EM, while the opposite was true after non-EM. The results echoed REM-sleep dependent memory reprocessing model, suggesting that EM in EMDR might reflect a shift in associative memory systems by activating different strength of associations of negative semantic nodes for different semantically related words. Given that order of relatedness didn’t play a role and previous research showed that EM resulted in decreased vividness and emotionality and generated greater amount of associations for negative stimuli as well, the implications of the present results from theoretical and psychotherapy point of views and future research possibilities are discussed.

Keywords: EMDR REM REM-Sleep Dependent Memory Reprocessing Model Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Saccadic Eye movement Semantic Association

Accuracy Verified: Yes

69. Butler, K. (1992, November 25). Memories “reprocessed:” New therapy for post-trauma stress. San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Chronicle, Final, News, A1.

Language: English

Format: Newspaper

Abstract:
For 4 1/2 years, the rape retained the vividness of a nightmare.

Keywords: General Overview San Francisco

Accuracy Verified: Yes

70. Lee, C. W., & Cuijpers, P. (2012, November). A meta-analysis of the contribution of eye movements in processing emotional memories. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experiential Psychiatry, 44(2), 231-239. doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2012.11.001.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Background and Objectives: Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is now considered evidence based practice in the treatment of trauma symptoms. Yet in a previous meta-analysis, no significant effect was found for the eye movement component. However methodological issues with this study may have resulted in a type II error. The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine current published studies to test whether eye movements significantly affect the processing of distressing memories. Method: A systematic review of the literature revealed two groups of studies. The first group comprised 15 clinical trials and compared the effects of EMDR therapy with eye movements to those of EMDR without the eye movements. The second group comprised 11 laboratory trials that investigated the effects of eye movements while thinking of a distressing memory versus the same procedure without the eye movements in a non-therapy context. The total number of participants was 849. Results: The effect size for the additive effect of eye movements in EMDR treatment studies was moderate and significant (Cohen's d = 0.41). For the second group of laboratory studies the effect size was large and significant (d = 0.74). The strongest effect size difference was for vividness measures in the non-therapy studies (d = 0.91). The data indicated that treatment fidelity acted as a moderator variable on the effect of eye movements in the therapy studies. Conclusions: Results were discussed in terms of current theories that suggest the processes involved in EMDR are different from other exposure based therapies.

Keywords: Meta-Analysis Review

Accuracy Verified: Yes

71. Hornsveld, H. (2011, June). More support for the working memory hypothesis: Results and clinical implications. Presentation at the 12th European Conference on Traumatic Stress (ECOTS), Vienna, Austria.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Eye movements (EMs) during retrieval of negative memories reduce the vividness and emotionality of these memories when they are being recalled later. This is a robust phenomenon and is the basis of the EMDR method. Of the many explanations that have been put forward to explain the benefits of EMs, the working memory (WM) explanation has – by far - the most empirical support. The WM hypothesis will be explained and a new series of experiments will be presented that give additional support for the WM account and have some large clinical implications. 1.In over 50% of the EMDR treatments eye movements are replaced by other bilateral stimulation like auditory tones or tapping. These ‘variants’ lack empirical support. Several studies (in healthy subjects and patients) strongly suggest that these alternatives are inferior to eye movements. This is in line with the working memory account. 2.Eye movements are also used in (non-desensitization) procedures like the safe place and the RDI procedure. Again, there is no empirical support for the added value of eye movements. Our research indicates that – in line with the WM theory – EM’s seem counterproductive in RDI. 3.EMs also reduce the vividness and emotionality of (disturbing) images of feared future events: "flashforwards". Research data in a non-clinical sample and some clinical cases will be presented. Hornsveld,H.K. & van de Hout, M.A. Utrecht University, Dept of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht, Netherlands Marcel van den Hout, Iris Engelhard en Hellen Hornsveld received the 2010 EMDR Award for Outstanding Research.

Keywords: Working Memory Hypothesis

Accuracy Verified: Yes

72. Nogueira, R. L. (2012, Novembro). Movimentos oculares e a teoria da memória de trabalho: Implicações clínicas [Eye movements and the theory of working memory: Clinical implications]. In EMDR e memórias. Apresentação no II Congresso Brasileiro de EMDR, Brasília, Brasil.

Language: Portuguese

Format: Conference

Abstract:
O objetivo do trabalho é apresentar uma revisão sobre o efeito dos movimentos oculares durante a exposição a memórias traumáticas a partir do paradigma da Teoria da Memória de Trabalho. Shapiro (2001) afirmou que a compreensão do mecanismo de ação do EMDR por meio da análise do efeito de seus componentes pode permitir cada vez mais seu aprimoramento. A meta-análise de Lee e Cuijpers (2012) mostra a importância dos movimentos oculares para a diminuição da vivacidade e das emoções negativas associadas às memórias traumáticas. Segundo a Teoria da Memória de Trabalho, a realização de movimentos oculares durante a manutenção de memórias traumáticas causaria a taxação da memória de trabalho, tornando as imagens menos vívidas e emocionais (ex. Gunter e Bodner 2008; van Den Hout et al. 2011). Quanto maior a taxação da memória de trabalho, desde que não cause prejuízo da manutenção da memória na mente, maior é a redução da vivacidade e intensidade (Gunter e Bodner 2008; van Den Hout et al. 2011, Engelhard et al. 2010, 2011). Portanto, a intensidade dos movimentos oculares parece ser importante para o efeito terapêutico. Smeets et al. (2012), ao investigarem o decurso temporal desses efeitos, verificaram que os movimentos oculares interferem primeiro com a vivacidade da memória. A redução da emocionalidade ocorre posteriormente. Por sua vez, Engelhard et al. (2010, 2011) têm mostrado que os movimentos oculares também são benéficos em relação a imagens negativas de eventos futuros, indicando um efeito terapêutico do EMDR sobre psicopatologias em que essas imagens estão presentes.Assim, em consonância com a afirmação de Shapiro (2001), estudos mostram a importância de se correlacionar a prática clínica com as investigações científicas sobre componentes do EMDR (ver Engelhard 2012). Além de favorecer a compreensão, a aplicação e a revisão dos protocolos, a correlação possui implicações clínicas importantes.

The objective is to present a review on the effect of eye movements during exposure to traumatic memories from the paradigm of the Theory of Working Memory. Shapiro (2001) stated that understanding the mechanism of action of EMDR through the analysis of the effect of its components can increasingly allow their improvement. A meta-analysis of Lee and Cuijpers (2012) shows the importance of eye movements to decrease the vividness and negative emotions associated with traumatic memories. According to the Theory of Working Memory, conducting eye movements during maintenance of traumatic memories cause the tax working memory, making the images less vivid and emotional (eg Gunter and Bodner 2008; van den Hout et al. 2011) . The higher taxation of working memory, since it does not cause prejudice to the maintenance of memory in mind, the greater the reduction in vividness and intensity (Gunter and Bodner 2008; van den Hout et al., 2011, Engelhard et al. 2010, 2011 ). Therefore, the intensity of eye movements seem to be important to the therapeutic effect. Smeets et al. (2012) investigated the time course of these effects and found that eye movements interfere first with the vividness of memory. The reduction in emotionality occurs later. In turn, Engelhard et al. (2010, 2011) have shown that eye movements are also beneficial in relation to negative images of future events, indicating a therapeutic effect of EMDR on psychopathology in which these images are presentes.Assim, in line with the statement Shapiro (2001) studies show the importance of correlating clinical practice with scientific research on components of EMDR (see Engelhard 2012). Besides promote understanding, implementation and review of protocols, the correlation has important clinical implications.

Keywords: Eye movements Clinical Implications Theory of Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

73. Vojtova, H., & Hasto, J. (2009). Neurobiology of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Activitas Nervosa Superior, 51(3), 98-102.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing represents a promising approach to treatment of posttraumatic disord-ers. The specific factors underlying its effectiveness rely particularly on bilateral stimulation, which seems to provoke a specific neurobiological response during traumatic recall particularly in individuals with PTSD. The empirical findings provide evidence for the effect of BLS on autonomic nervous system shifting the balance towards parasympathetic acti-vation (reducing arousal) as well as the effect on subjectively perceived vividness and emotional burden of autobiograph-ic memories (decrease). The most credible hypotheses derive the effects from neurobiological mechanisms employed in dual focus attention, orienting reflex and REM sleep. Further research is needed to explore the processes included in the EMDR therapy in more detail and clarify the role of bilateral stimulation.

Keywords: Brain Dissociation Neurobiology Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Psychotherapy

Accuracy Verified: Yes

74. van den Hout, M. A., Bartelski, N., & Engelhard, I. M. (2013, January). On EMDR: Eye movements during retrieval reduce subjective vividness and objective memory accessibility during future recall. Cognition and Emotion, 27(1),177-183 p. doi:10.1080/02699931.2012.691087.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
In eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), patients make eye movements (EM) during trauma recall. Earlier experimental studies found that EM during recall reduces memory vividness during future recalls, and this was taken as laboratory support for the underlying mechanism of EMDR. However, reduced vividness was assessed with self-reports that may be affected by demand characteristics. We tested whether recallEM also reduces memory vividness on a behavioural reaction time (RT) task. Undergraduates (N32) encoded two pictures, recalled them, and rated their vividness. In the EM group, one of the pictures was recalled again while making EM. In the no-EM group one of the pictures was recalled without EM. Then fragments from both the recalled and non-recalled pictures, and new fragments were presented and participants rated whether these were (or were not) seen before. Both pictures were rated again for vividness. In the EM group, self-rated vividness of the recalledEM picture decreased, relative to the non-recalled picture. In the no-EM group there was no difference between the recalled versus non-recalled picture. The RT task showed the same pattern. Reduction of memory vividness due to recallEM is also evident from non-self-report data.

Keywords: Memory Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Reaction Time Test

Accuracy Verified: Yes

75. van der Schoot, O. M. (2010, Juli). Oogbewegingen en imaginatie: Een kritische toets van de werkgeheugen theorie bij EMDR [Eye movements and imagination: A critical test of working memory theory in EMDR]. Utrecht, Nederlands: Universiteit Utrecht.

Language: Dutch

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
‘Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing’ (EMDR), een veel gebruikte behandelingbij posttraumatische stressstoornis, kan de helderheid en emotionaliteit van plezierige enonplezierige herinneringen reduceren. Tevens kunnen visuele beelden van gevreesdetoekomstige gebeurtenissen worden gedegradeerd. Verondersteld wordt dat EMDR zijnwerking verleent door manipulatie van het gelimiteerde werkgeheugen. In de huidige tweeexperimenten wordt deze veronderstelling nogmaals kritisch getoetst aan de hand van eenoogbewegingen, alleen ophalen (controle) en imaginatie conditie. Er werd verondersteld datwanneer imaginatie gebruik zou maken van dezelfde processen als EMDR (manipulatie vanhet werkgeheugen) er spiegelbeeldige effecten zouden moeten optreden. In experiment 1 werdgebruik gemaakt van neutrale herinneringen (huiskamers). In de oogbewegingen en alleenophalen conditie werd geen effect gevonden. In de imaginatie conditie nam de compleetheiden waarheidsgetrouwheid van de herinnering toe. In experiment 2 werd gebruik gemaakt vaneen Reactie Tijden (RT) taak om te objectiveren of de oogbewegingen en de imaginatiedaadwerkelijk het werkgeheugen taxeren: zowel oogbewegingen als imaginatie vertraagdende RT, maar oogbewegingen het meest, hetgeen suggereert dat oogbewegingen het meestewerkgeheugen taxeert. Vervolgens werd experiment 1 herhaald, echter ditmaal met specifiekepositieve autobiografische herinneringen. In de drie condities werd geen effect gevonden.Huidig onderzoek biedt geen ondersteuning voor de werkgeheugentheorie. Echter, geen vande andere prominente theorieën over het werkingsmechanisme van EMDR kan het uitblijvenvan effect in huidig onderzoek verklaren. Verder onderzoek naar EMDR zal nodig zijn om debehandeling verder te kunnen optimaliseren en het werkingsmechanisme beter te kunnenbegrijpen.

"Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a widely used behandelingbij posttraumatic stress disorder, the clarity and emotion of pleasant memories enonplezierige reduced. It may also feared future events of visual images are degraded. It is assumed that EMDR effect gives through manipulation of the limited memory. In the present two experiments were critically tested this assumption on the basis of one eye movements, only to retrieve (control), and imagery condition. It was assumed datwanneer imagination would use the same processes as EMDR (manipulation of working memory) are mirrored effects should arise. In experiment 1 was used neutral memories (homes). In the retrieval condition, eye movements and all found no effect. In the imagination condition heathlands took the complete veracity of the increased memory. Experiment 2 was used asunder Reaction times (RT) task to objectify or eye movements and working memory imaginatiedaadwerkelijk value: both eye movements and imagination-using RT slowed, but the most eye movements, suggesting that eye movements appraises the most memory. Experiment 1 was then repeated, this time with specific positive autobiographical memories. In the three conditions, no effect gevonden.Huidig research does not support the working memory theory. However, no Vande other prominent theories on the mechanism of EMDR uitblijvenvan effect may explain current research. Further research on EMDR debehandeling will be needed to further optimize the mechanism and to better understand.

Keywords: Imagination Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Vividness Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

76. Hasto, J., & Vojtova, H. (2012). Posttraumatická stresová porucha, bio-psycho-sociálne aspekty EMDR a autogénny tréning pri pretrvávajúcom ohrození: Prípadová stúdia [Post-traumatic stress disorder, bio-psycho-social aspects of EMDR and autogenic training with ongoing risk: A case study]. (1.vyd) Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci.

Language: Slovak

Format: Book

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desenzibilizácia a prepracovanie predstavuje sľubný prístup k liečbe poúrazových porúch. Medzi špecifické faktory, z ktorých jej účinnosť spoliehajú predovšetkým na bilaterálnej stimulácie, ktorá ako sa zdá, vyvolať špecifickú neurobiological odpoveď počas traumatické odvolanie najmä u jedincov s PAS. Empirické poznatky poskytujú dôkazy o vplyve BLS na autonómneho nervového systému dosiahnuť rovnováhu smerom aktivácia parasympatiku (zníženie vzrušenie), ako aj vplyv na subjektívne vnímanú živosťou a emocionálne záťaž z autobiographic pamätí (pokles). Najdôveryhodnejší hypotézy odvodiť účinky z neurobiologických mechanizmov pracujúcich v duálnom zamerať pozornosť, orientujúca reflex a REM spánok. Ďalší výskum je potrebné preskúmať procesy zahrnuté v terapii EMDR podrobnejšie a objasniť úlohu bilaterálne stimulácie. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, všetky práva vyhradené)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing represents a promising approach to treatment of posttraumatic disorders. The specific factors underlying its effectiveness rely particularly on bilateral stimulation, which seems to provoke a specific neurobiological response during traumatic recall particularly in individuals with PTSD. The empirical findings provide evidence for the effect of BLS on autonomic nervous system shifting the balance towards parasympathetic activation (reducing arousal) as well as the effect on subjectively perceived vividness and emotional burden of autobiographic memories (decrease). The most credible hypotheses derive the effects from neurobiological mechanisms employed in dual focus attention, orienting reflex and REM sleep. Further research is needed to explore the processes included in the EMDR therapy in more detail and clarify the role of bilateral stimulation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords: Autonomic Nervous System Bilateral Stimulation Neurobiology Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD REM Sleep

Accuracy Verified: Yes

77. 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

78. Smyth, N., Maxfield, L., & Rogers, S. (2003, September). Recent research evaluating the role of eye movements in EMDR. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR International Association, Denver, CO.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Findings of component studies are summarized, with a review of studies which reported that EMs reduced memory vividness and emotiveness. The results of three recent studies are presented. 1) A study evaluated the effects of EMs on the components of memory to test working memory explanations of EMDR; 2) a study using participants with dental phobia determined if memories of disturbing dental events,and related dental anxiety, were influenced by EMs; 3) A large-N comparison with combat veterans, compared EMDR and a non-eye-movement analog to evaluate the effect of EMs on treatment outcome, process and changes in trauma narratives.

Keywords: Eye Movements Research

Accuracy Verified: Yes

79. Engelhard, I. M., van den Hout, M. A., Dek, E. C. P., Giele, C. L., van der Wielen, J.-W., Reijnen, M. J., & van Roij, B. (2011, May ). Reducing vividness and emotional intensity of recurrent “flashforwards” by taxing working memory: An analogue study. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 25(4), 599-603. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.01.009.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Several studies have found that making eye movements while retrieving visual images about past negative events reduces their vividness and emotional intensity. A working memory account states that eye movements tax working memory and interfere with visual imagery, thus degrading images. This study examined whether eye movements also affect recurrent, intrusive visual images about potential future catastrophes (“flashforwards”) in a sample of female undergraduates who had indicated on a screening-scale that they suffer from such intrusions. They were asked to recall two intrusive images with or without making eye movements. Before and after each condition, participants retrieved the image, and rated its vividness and emotionality. Results showed that vividness of intrusive images was lower after recall with eye movement, relative to recall only, and there was a similar trend for emotionality. Potential implications are discussed.

Keywords: Flashforwards Intrusive Images PTSD Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

80. 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

81. Chang, S. H., & Chen, K. P. (2009). Saccadic eye movement and change of semantic associations: Possible therapeutic mechanisms of EMDR. National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
In light of a putative model proposed by Stickgold and to mimic clinical trial of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), this study examined possible therapeutic mechanism and effect of eye movements (EM) on change of semantic associations and to explore if the effect would be influenced by valence of stimuli and order of presentation. Seventy-five college students were recruited as participants. The results showed that the effect of 8s saccadic bilateral eye movement in terms of change of semantic associations was associated with valence of words and their presentation order, which echoed Stickgold’s model, Shapiro’s clinical procedure, and also advanced the evidence regarding the mechanism of EM from the framework of working memory model. The present study further highlights the importance of taking into consideration these three treatment variables simultaneously when doing EM. The implications of the findings from both the theoretical and clinical viewpoints are discussed.

Keywords: Imagery Vividness Negative Emotiveness Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Saccadic Eye Movement Semantic Association Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

82. Chang, S. H. & Chen, K. P. (2004, July). Saccadic eye movement and change of semantic associations: Possible therapeutic mechanisms of EMDR. Presentation at the Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences, Honolulu, Hawaii, In 2004 HICSS (Hawaii International Conference on Social Science) Conference Proceedings (pp. 569-574).

Language: English

Format: Conference

Keywords: Imagery Vividness Negative Emotiveness Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PTSD Saccadic Eye Movement Semantic Association Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

83. Hornsveld, H. K., de Jongh, A., ten Broeke, E. (2012). Stop the use of eye movements in resource development and installation, until their additional value has been proven: A rejoinder to Leeds and Korn (2012). Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 6(4), 174-178. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.6.4.174.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
This brief article responds to Leeds and Korn's (2012) commentary on our article (Hornsveld et al., 2011) in which we found that eye movements (EMs) during recall of positive and resourceful autobiographic memories (such as those used in resource development and installation [RDI]) led to decreases of (a) vividness, (b) pleasantness, and (c) experienced strength of the intended quality or resource. Hence, we found an opposite effect than what was intended and critically discussed this in our article. In their comments, Leeds and Korn stress their positive clinical experience with RDI and emphasize the limitations of our study. Here we argue that our results, despite their limitations, are fully in line with mounting evidence supporting a working memory account for EMs. Moreover, opposite effects for EMs in the RDI and the safe place procedure accord with several other clinical observations. Given the absence of any confirmatory results, we again advocate, and now even more strongly, to stop the use of EMs in the RDI and safe place procedures until their additional value has been proven.

Keywords: Clinical Impressions RDI Resource Development and Installation Safe Place Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

84. 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

85. 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

86. 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

87. 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

88. Engelhard, I. M., van den Hout, M. A., & Smeets, M. A. M. (2010, May). Taxing working memory reduces vividness and emotionality of images about the Queen's Day tragedy. Poster presented at the annual meeting of Association for Professional Science, Boston, MA.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Keywords: Queen's Day Tragedy Poster Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

89. Smeets, M. A. M., Dijs, M. W., Pervan, I., Engelhard, I. M., & van den Hout, M. A. (2012, May). Time-course of eye movement-related decrease in vividness and emotionality of unpleasant autobiographical memories. Memory, 20(4), 346-357. doi:10.1080/09658211.2012.665462.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
The time-course of changes in vividness and emotionality of unpleasant autobiographical memories associated with making eye movements (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing, EMDR) was investigated. Participants retrieved unpleasant autobiographical memories and rated their vividness and emotionality prior to and following 96 seconds of making eye movements (EM) or keeping eyes stationary (ES); at 2, 4, 6, and 10 seconds into the intervention; then followed by regular larger intervals throughout the 96-second intervention. Results revealed a significant drop compared to the ES group in emotionality after 74 seconds compared to a significant drop in vividness at only 2 seconds into the intervention. These results support that emotionality becomes reduced only after vividness has dropped. The results are discussed in light of working memory theory and visual imagery theory, following which the regular refreshment of the visual memory needed to maintain it in working memory is interfered with by eye movements that also tax working memory, which affects vividness first.

Keywords: Emotionality Unpleasant Autobiographical Memories Vividness

Accuracy Verified: Yes

90. van den Hout, M. A., Rijkeboer, M. M., Engelhard, I. M., Klugkist, I., Hornsveld, H., Toffolo, M. J. B., & Cath, D. C. (2012, May). Tones inferior to eye movements in the EMDR treatment of PTSD. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50(5), 275-279. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2012.02.001.

Language: English

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). During EMDR, patients make eye movements (EMs) while recalling traumatic memories, but recently therapists have replaced EMs by alternating beep tones. There are no outcome studies on the effects of tones. In an earlier analogue study, tones were inferior to EMs in the reduction of vividness of aversive memories. In a first EMDR session, 12 PTSD patients recalled trauma memories in three conditions: recall only, recall + tones, and recall + EMs. Three competing hypotheses were tested: 1) EMs are as effective as tones and better than recall only, 2) EMs are better than tones and tones are as effective as recall only, and 3) EMs are better than tones and tones are better than recall only. The order of conditions was balanced, each condition was delivered twice, and decline in memory vividness and emotionality served as outcome measures. The data strongly support hypothesis 2 and 3 over 1: EMs outperformed tones while it remained unclear if tones add to recall only. The findings add to earlier considerations and earlier analogue findings suggesting that EMs are superior to tones and that replacing the former by the latter was premature.

Keywords: Bilateral Stimulation BLS EMs Eye Movements Tones

Accuracy Verified: Yes

91. de Roos, C., & van Rood, Y. R. (2011, August-September). Trauma treatment (EMDR) as part of CBT for body dysmorphic disorder. In Case conceptualization and treatment of body dysmorphic disorder. Symposium conducted at the 41st EABCT annual congress, Reykjavík, Iceland.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a widely used and acknowledged treatment modality for PTSD but is still in its experimental phase for other disorders, such as BDD. With EMDR, the vividness and emotionality of unpleasant mental representations, which resulted from one or more traumatic events can be, reduced (Günter & Bodner, 2008). BDD patients often report traumatic events preceding the development of BDD and intrusive images referring to these events (Osman, et al., 2004). Brown et al., (1997) were the first to treat BDD patients for their traumas, using EMDR. The results of their case series were promising but lacked a theoretical base. The learning theoretical model of BDD provides a strong base for the selection of interventions for individual patients and the application of EMDR. This presentation outlines how to select the essential target memories for EMDR treatment in BDD patients. One way is to order etiological and/or aggravating events meaningfully on a time line and select those memories for processing which preceded an increase in BDD symptoms. The other way is to select targets related tot anxious expectations and avoidance behaviour. Video fragments illustrate the EMDR process in a BDD patient.

Keywords: Body Dysmorphic Disorder CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Symposium

Accuracy Verified: Yes

92. 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

93. van den Hout, M., Kindt, M., Muris, P., & Salemink, E. (2001). Vreemde oogbewegingen maken herinneringen minder levendig en minder emotioneel [Strange eye movements make memories less vivid and less emotionally]. Directieve Therapie, 21(3), 121-127. doi:10.1007/BF03060262 .

Language: Dutch

Format: Journal

Abstract:
Bij Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (emdr) beweegt de patiënt de ogen lateraal, tijdens het ophalen van aversieve herinneringen. Bij gezonde proefpersonen werd nagegaan of dit ‘oogbewegen’ ertoe leidt dat, na de procedure, de herinneringen van kwaliteit veranderen. Dit was het geval. Oogbewegen leidde tot verminderen van levendigheid van latere herinneringen en tot mindere emotionaliteit van herinneringen. Dit effect was sterker dan bij controlecondities: tikken op een tafel of nietsdoen. Het effect trad op bij negatieve herinneringen en bij positieve herinneringen. Beide typen herinneringen werden door het oogbewegen minder levendig, terwijl negatieve herinneringen na oogbewegen minder negatief werden en positieve herinneringen minder positief. Dit suggereert dat emdr meer is dan een placebo. Er wordt kort gespeculeerd over de verklaring van dit fenomeen. De klinische implicatie van dit resultaat is dat emdr-achtige procedures beter kunnen zijn dan placebo, alhoewel andere behandelvormen aanzienlijk effectiever lijken te zijn. emdr-achtige procedures kunnen een bescheiden, maar helder te definiëren plaats hebben in de behandeling van posttraumatische stressklachten.

In Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) moves the patient's lateral eyes, while fetching aversive memories. In healthy subjects, whether this 'eye movement' leads, after the procedure, the memories of quality change. This was the case. Eye movement led to later reduce vividness of memories and to a lesser emotionality of memories. This effect was stronger than in control conditions: tapping on a table or not. The effect occurred in negative memories and positive memories. Both types of memories were less vivid by the eye movement, eye movement while negative memories became less negative and less positive positive memories. This suggests that EMDR is more than a placebo. It speculated about the brief explanation of this phenomenon. The clinical implication of this result is that EMDR-like procedures may be better than placebo, although other forms of treatment appear to be significantly more effective. EMDR-like procedures, a modest but clearly defined place in the treatment of post traumatic stress symptoms.

Keywords: Eye Movements

Accuracy Verified: Yes

94. 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

95. Hornsveld, H. (2011, June). Work mechanisms in EMDR. Presentation at the annual meeting of the EMDR Europe Association, Vienna, Austria.

Language: English

Format: Conference

Abstract:
Eye movements (EMs) during retrieval of negative memories reduce the vividness and emotionality of these memories when they are being recalled later. This is a robust phenomenon and is the basis of the EMDR method. Of the many explanations that have been put forward to explain the benefits of EMs, the working memory (WM) explanation has – by far - the most empirical support. The WM hypothesis will be explained and a new series of experiments will be presented that give additional support for the WM account and have some large clinical implications. 1.In over 50% of the EMDR treatments eye movements are replaced by other bilateral stimulation like auditory tones or tapping. These ‘variants’ lack empirical support. Several studies (in healthy subjects and patients) strongly suggest that that these alternatives are inferior to eye movements. This is in line with the working memory account. 2.Eye movements are also used in (non-desensitization) procedures like the safe place and the RDI procedure. Again, there is no empirical support for the added value of eye movements. Our research indicates that – in line with the WM theory – EM’s seem counterproductive in RDI. 3.EMs also reduce the vividness and emotionality of (disturbing) images of feared future events: “flashworwards”. Learning objectives: Research data in a non-clinical sample and some clinical cases will be presented.

Keywords: Mechanisms

Accuracy Verified: Yes

96. 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

97. 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

Keywords: Eye Movements Mechanism of Action Memory Components Working Memory

Accuracy Verified: Yes

98. van der Landen, M. E. (2012). Zijn de effecten van EMDR en imagination inflation tegengesteld bij herinneringen? Een onderzoek naar levendigheid en emotionaliteit van herinneringen bij geconcentreerde imaginatie en oogbewegingen [Are the effects of EMDR and imagination inflation opposed to memories? A study of vividness and emotionality of memories with concentrated imagery and eye movements]. Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht.

Language: English

Format: Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is een veelgebruikte, effectieve therapievorm voor posttraumatische stressstoornis (PTSS). Imagination Inflation (II) kan optreden na geconcentreerde imaginatie. Bij EMDR worden herinneringen minder levendig en minder emotioneel. Het omgekeerde gebeurt bij II; door geconcentreerde imaginatie lijken herinneringen juist levendiger en emotioneler te worden. De vraag is of EMDR begrepen kan worden als de inverse van II. De effecten van EMDR zijn goed te modelleren onder laboratorium condities. Als II het omgekeerde is van EMDR zouden onder dezelfde lab condities, maar met het vervangen van oogbewegingen door geconcentreerde imaginatie er omgekeerde effecten op moeten treden van EMDR. Namelijk een toename van levendigheid en emotionaliteit van de herinneringen. Methoden: In totaal participeerden 60 personen verdeeld over twee groepen. Bij de ene groep werd 1) ophalen + oogbewegingen en 2) alleen ophalen toegepast, waarbij men twee negatieve herinneringen kreeg. De andere groep kreeg 1) ophalen + geconcentreerde imaginatie en 2) alleen ophalen toegepast met twee neutrale herinneringen. Resultaten: Geconcentreerde imaginatie leidde tot meer levendigheid van de neutrale herinnering, maar leidde niet tot toename van de emotionaliteit van de herinnering. Bij oogbewegingen zijn er geen statistisch significante resultaten gevonden. Conclusie: In tegenstelling tot eerdere literatuur, kon er geen significant effect van oogbewegingen aangetoond worden. Verondersteld is dat dit mogelijk een toevalsfluctuatie betreft. Geconcentreerde imaginatie leidde wel tot een significante toename van levendigheid van een neutrale herinnering. Vervolgonderzoek is nodig om dit verder te onderzoeken.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a widely used and effective form of therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Imagination Inflation (II) can occur after concentrated imagination. In EMDR memories are less vivid and less emotional. The reverse happens when II by concentrated imagination seem more vivid and emotional memories just be. The question is whether EMDR can be understood as the inverse of II. The effects of EMDR are well modeled under laboratory conditions. If II is the opposite of EMDR would under the same laboratory conditions, but with the replacement of movements by concentrated imagination is opposite effects have occurred in EMDR. Namely an increase of vividness and emotionality of memories. Methods: A total of 60 people participated divided into two groups. In one group, 1) + pick eye movements, and 2) only applied retrieval, where one received two negative memories. The other group received 1) + pick concentrated imagination and 2) only get applied with two neutral memories. Results: Concentrated imagination led to greater vividness of the neutral memory, but did not lead to increased emotionality of memory. When eye movements are no statistically significant results were found. Conclusion: Contrary to previous literature, there could be no significant effect of eye movements demonstrated. It is assumed that this may be a chance fluctuation concerns. Concentrated imagination did lead to a significant increase vibrancy of a neutral memory. Further research is needed to investigate this further.

Keywords: Emotionality Eye Movements Imagery Imagination Inflation Vividness

Accuracy Verified: Yes