Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for psychologically traumatized individuals

The effects of three, 1.5-hour Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment sessions on traumatic memories and psychological symptoms of 80 subjects were studied. The treatment sessions were administered within a two week period. 40 and 40 men ranging in age from 21-67 were interviewed and selected from a pool of 117. Subjects reported continuous difficulty and suffering (mean 13 years) in some area of their life since the occurrence of the traumatic event. Approximately 1/3 of subjects had no prior therapy experience. Subjects were randomly assigned to either EMDR treatment or delayed EMDR treatment condition, and to one of five EMDR trained therapists. Treatment therapists (licensed psychologists and counselors) consisted of 2 women and 2 men, each working with 5 men and 5 women in each group (gender study issues). The therapists had been trained in EMDR by Francine Shapiro. Each had various levels of EMDR experience and training, ranging from facilitator training with two to three years EMDR clinical experience, to Level I and minimal EMDR clinical experience. Treatment fidelity was consistent throughout the study. Subjects receiving EMDR showed decreases in anxiety and presenting complaints, and increases in positive self-evaluations. The six standardized tests and subjective reports were administered by an objective independent assessor (licensed psychologist) pre and post treatment, and at a 90-day follow-up. Subjects in the delayed EMDR treatment group showed no improvement on any of these measures during the 30 days before treatment. After treatment, the delayed EMDR treatment group showed decreases in anxiety and presenting complaints and increases in positive self-evaluations. All ANOVA interactions for both groups were significant at p<.0001.  These effets were maintained or improved at the 90-day follow-up.  The main effect sizes in the present study range from 0.50 to 2.3, with an overall average of 0.93.

Dissertation/Thesis

English

Sandra A. Wilson

Wilson, S. A. (1995, October). Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for psychologically traumatized individuals. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 56(4-B), 2347