A comparison of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and biofeedback/stress inoculation training in treating test anxiety

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment, Biofeedback/Stress Inoculation Training (B/SIT) treatment, and no treatment (NT) were compared in treating test anxiety. Subjects (30) reporting test anxiety were randomly assigned to EMDR, B/SIT or NT. Treatment consisted of three 90 minute sessions using B/SIT and one 45 minute session/three 75 minute sessions using EMDR. Treatment therapists were licensed psychologists, counselors or social workers with two to twenty years experience using EMDR or B/SIT. Subjects in the NT group were offered treatment following the study. Six dependent variables were measured pre/post: trait and state anxiety (State Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI-T.S.), test anxiety (Test Anxiety Inventory, TAI-T.W.E.), rationality of personal beliefs (Rational Behavior Inventory, RBI), negative self statements (TAI-W) and self report of physiological response (Autonomic Perception Inventory, APQ) using.05 level. ANOVAs were performed followed by a Newman-Keuls Multiple Comparison. There was a significant interaction between pre-post tests and type of group on all dependent measures except the RBI. EMDR showed a tendency toward greater improvement from pre to post test than B/SIT and NT. There were no significant differences between groups on the pre test. Post group means indicated: (a) STAI-S, there was no difference between the groups; (b) STAI-T and APQ, EMDR and B/SIT had a greater reduction than NT; (c) TAI-E, EMDR showed more reduction than B/SIT and NT; (d) TAI-T and W, there were differences between all three groups with EMDR showing the most reduction. A meta-analysis was performed to determine clinical significance. Prior to treatment all three groups were above the normative effect size of 1 SD. The NT group showed no change on post tests. The EMDR group showed a larger reduction in effect size than B/SIT. Based on the data both EMDR and B/SIT reduced test anxiety with EMDR generally outperforming B/SIT.

Dissertation/Thesis

English

Rosemary C. Vienot

Vienot, R. C. (1998, July). A comparison of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and biofeedback/stress inoculation training in treating test anxiety. (Doctoral dissertation, Union Institute)