Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing with children and adolescents experiencing traumatic memories

This research project evaluated the effectiveness of using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) techniques on children and adolescents (N = 20) between the ages of 7 to 18, who were experiencing anxiety due to traumatic memories. EMDR therapeutic techniques were administered in one 90-minute therapy session to subjects in an experimental group (N = 10) and after a 30-day waiting period, EMDR was administered to subjects in a delayed treatment group (N = 10) to help substantiate the effectiveness of using EMDR with this population. The results of the study indicated a highly significant reduction in anxiety related to traumatic memories in both an experimental group and a delayed treatment group, as measured by the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS), the Impact of Events (IES) scale, and in the delayed treatment group using the Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (CMAS) after treatment. There was a lack of significance in the reduction of anxiety in the experimental group, as measured by the Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (CMAS). The results showed a significant difference in cognition, changing from negative to positive thinking, as measured by the Validity of Cognition (VoC) scale. The findings demonstrate that EMDR may help to measure, treat, and enhance the lives of children and adolescents experiencing anxiety from traumatic memories. It is recommended that future research focus on using standardized psychological tests to support the efficacy of using EMDR with children and adolescents.

Dissertation/Thesis

English

Marian K. Puffer

Puffer, M. K. (1996, May). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing with children and adolescents experiencing traumatic memories. (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University)