The intent of this study is to use a single-subject analysis to compare the efficacy of EMDR to imaginal exposure for the treatment of PTSD. More specifically, this study compared exposure and EMDR for treating symptoms associated with the traumatic…
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a recently developed technique that has been reported in the literature to be effective in treating many of the symptoms associated with PTSD. This study investigated the role of saccadic eye movements…
Exposure has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of PTSD. Recent claims have been made regarding the comparative and perhaps even superior efficacy of EMDR in the treatment of PTSD.The comparative effectiveness was tested using two…
A total of 105 patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were randomly allocated to eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) (n = 39) versus exposure plus cognitive restructuring (E + CR) (n = 37) versus waiting list (WL) (n =…
A total of 105 patients with PTSD were randomly allocated to eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) (n = 39) versus exposure plus cognitive restructuring (E + CR) (n = 37) versus waiting list (WL) (n = 29) in a primary care setting.…
Eye movement desensitization (EMDR) and exposure therapies (e.g. prolonged exposure therapy) have both been recommended as first-line treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, relatively little is known about the comparative…
This report summarizes data gathered thus far from an ongoing study. Two groups (total N = 12) of Vietnam War veterans diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) received a single session of exposure or Eye Movement Desensitization and…
36 patients with PTSD were randomly allocated to individual treatment with imaginal exposure (image habituation training - IHT), or applied muscle relaxation (AMR) or eye movement desensitization (EMD). Assessment by a blind independent rater and…
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…
This uncontrolled prospective cohort study evaluated the use of accelerated resolution therapy (ART) for treatment of comorbid symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder. Twenty-eight adult subjects, mean age of…
The authors examined the efficacy, speed, and incidence of symptom worsening for 3 treatments of PTSD: prolonged exposure, relaxation training, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR; N = 60). Treatments did not differ in attrition,…
Therapists once believed trauma survivors required years of treatment, yet we now know that relatively brief cognitive-behavioral interventions can yield long-term gains in psychosocial and psychological function. Many psychiatric patients meet…
The processes that underlie the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are examined by evaluating the procedural differences between it and exposure therapy. Major factors include the degree of emphasis placed on…
Many studies have demonstrated the efficacy of exposure therapy in the treatment of chronic PTSD. Despite the convincing outcome literature, a concern that this treatment may exacerbate symptoms and lead to premature dropout has been voiced on the…
This report reviews and critiques the psychotherapy literature for the treatment of PTSD and systematically presents data on sample size, rates of completion, and effect sizes. Substantial progress has been made in the use of cognitive behavioral…
Rhythmic eye movements performed during eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy have been shown to evoke a physiological de-arousal pattern. ObjectivesHere, we examined whether the efficacy of a virtual reality exposure therapy…
This study sought to investigate the efficacy of prolonged exposure, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and relaxation training on trait anger and guilt and on trauma-related anger and guilt within the context of PTSD treatment. 15…
In a study that directly compared exposure therapy, EMDR, and relaxation training in patients with PTSD, we simply provided patients with a verbal description of PTSD and its treatment, then assessed the patient's treatment goals, and discussed how…
Spousal abuse and other forms of domestic violence can lead to PTSD. Little is known about how to best treat this form of PTSD. The current case series, based on data collected as part of a larger clinical trial, was designed to evaluate the…
Compared the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) versus exposure plus cognitive restructuring (ECR) versus a waiting list (WL) in treating posttraumatic stress disorder. This research appeared in Clinical Psychology…
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the two most empirically supported treatments for adult populations with noncombat, single-episode posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with the other being exposure therapy. This entry…
Several psychosocial treatments appear to be effective in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, little is known about the predictors of treatment outcome. It is possible that some variables predict poor outcome for some treatments…
This chapter critically summarizes state-of-the-art knowledge relevant to the use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for traumatic stress. We review empirical evidence and pertinent meta-analyses since the first edition…
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), a controversial treatment suggested for PTSD and other conditions, was evaluated in a meta-analysis of 34 studies that examined EMDR with a variety of populations and measures. Process and outcome…
The advent of Eye Movement Desensitization (EMDR) for treatment of PTSD has been classified by the American Psychological Association as probably efficacious. Actual practice descriptions and EMDR training material suggest that many clinicians are…
Background: Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new therapeutic technique that has been proposed as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety complaints. Method: We compared the efficacy of EMDR…
Eye movement desensitization (EMD) and a control procedure, image confrontation (IC) were compared in a group of 58 phobics, 31 of them arachnophobes. [There were 7 cases of "traumatic phobia" and 1 of "classical PTSD."] Subjects confronted…
Pitman et al. recently published a pair of studies on the relationship between indicators of emotional processing and outcome in flooding therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Among their conclusions, they asserted…
Research psychologists often complain that practitioners disregard research evidence whilst practitioners sometimes accuse researchers of failing to produce evidence with sufficient ecological validity. The tension that thus arises is highlighted,…
This article presents the well established theoretical base and clinical practice of exposure therapy for trauma. Necessary requirements for positive treatment results and contraindicated procedures are reviewed. EMDR is contrasted with these…
United Kingdom military personnel have been involved in the recent Iraq war. While fatalities and casualties were relatively light compared to other conflicts historically, individual incidents can, nevertheless, have a lasting impact on individuals…
Several psychosocial treatments appear to be effective in treating PTSD. However, little is known about the predictors of treatment outcome. It is possible that some variables predict poor outcome for some treatments but not for other treatments. To…
Rosen and Davison [Rosen, G.M. and Davison, G.C. (2003). Psychology should list empirically supported principles of change (ESPs) and not credential trademarked therapies or other treatment packages. Behavior Modification, 27, 300–312] recommended…
This paper provides an overview of recent developments in the literature on post-traumatic stress disorder. Epidemiological studies indicate that approximately 15-25% of individuals experiencing a significant trauma will go on to develop…
PTSD places an on-going financial and individual burden on the health-care system. It is imperative to provide effective treatment. However, meta-analyses show that veterans receive less benefit from treatment than other PTSD populations (e.g.,…
This controlled study evaluated the relative efficacy of Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) compared to a no-treatment waitlist control (WAIT) in the treatment of PTSD in adult female rape victims (n =…
A review of the psychosocial treatment research literature indicates that several forms of therapy appear to be useful in reducing the symptoms of PTSD. Strongest support is found for the treatments that combine cognitive and behavioral techniques.…
This article reviews empirical support for treatments targeting women sexually assaulted during adolescence or adulthood. 32 articles were located using data from 20 separate samples. Of the 20 samples, 12 targeted victims with chronic symptoms, 3…
Argues that Devilly misrepresented the outcome of several studies of the effectiveness of EMDR. [FAL] A comment on: Grant J. Devilly, "The influence of distraction during exposure and researcher allegiance during outcome trials", The Behavior…
A standard treatment for anxiety disorders involves exposing clients to anxiety eliciting stimuli. Some theorists have argued that exposure is an essential element in the successful treatment of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Exposure therapy…
A cluster analytic investigation was conducted on measures of PTSD associated features (e.g., personality pathology, dissociative tendencies) to investigate whether empirically-defined clusters correspond to Herman's distinction between simple and…
Fear of spiders, disgust sensitivity, and spiders' disgust-evoking status were assessed in a group of spider phobic girls (n = 22) who applied for treatment, in a group of non-phobic girls (n = 21), and in the parents of both groups of children. The…
The acceptability and preference of psychological treatments is important in understanding patient treatment seeking, choice, engagement and attrition and possibly treatment response in health care. The acceptability of, and preference for, 14…
A study is described comparing Prolonged Exposure, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and the Counting Method with 51 multiply-traumatized women. Measures of PTSD were significantly reduced by all three methods, but differences among the…
The purpose of this letter is to draw attention to anxiety literature that we believe is relevant to research in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy but has not been adequately integrated as of yet.
The utility of distraction during exposure is a hotly debated topic, and research into its utility for the treatment of PTSD has been unyielding. This paper aims to briefly present an explanation for a trend that has become apparent in the outcome…
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) has been mired in intense controversy since its inception. Initial claims of its efficacy were probably exaggerated, but many researchers continue to outright dismiss its positive outcome data.…
In 2004, the United States Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Defense jointly published clinical-practice guidelines for posttraumatic stress disorder (CPG-PTSD). These identified 4 psychotherapies for PTSD: cognitive therapy, eye-movement…
