Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

What is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD?

EMDR is based on the observation that the intensity of traumatic memories can be reduced through eye movements. While patients focus on a traumatic memory or thought, they simultaneously move their eyes back and forth, following the movement of the therapist’s finger. The vividness and intensity of the memory can be reduced when its is activated while the patient focusses on the finger movements. This diluted memory is then stored in the long-term memory, leading to less emotional reaction at future activation.

What is the evidence for EMDR for PTSD?

Moderate quality evidence found a large effect of improved PTSD and depression symptoms with EMDR compared to inactive controls. This was particularly apparent when compared to waitlist/no treatment than when compared to usual care or relaxation. The effect for PTSD symptoms was medium-sized at the 3-month follow-up.

There was also a small effect of improved PTSD symptoms, but not depression symptoms, with EMDR compared to active controls (e.g., CBT or exposure therapy). The effect for PTSD symptoms was large at the 3-month follow-up and small at the 6-month follow-up. The effects were largest in studies with researcher allegiance to EMDR and in studies with a high risk of bias.

Moderate to low quality evidence found a large effect of reduced PTSD symptom severity compared to waitlist/no treatment following EMDR in children and adolescents. At 1-4 months follow-up, the effect was not maintained in children.

Moderate to low quality evidence found EMDR improved PTSD symptoms when compared to standard care/waitlist (large effect) and when compared to non-specific therapies (small to medium-sized effect) in people with complex PTSD. EMDR may also improve the complex symptoms of negative self-concept and disturbances in relationships.

August 2021

Image: ©Tadeusz Marx – stock.adobe.com

Last updated at: 4:42 am, 12th October 2021
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