An intensive design investigation of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing of claustrophobia

Two claustrophobic subjects were treated with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), a new treatment for induced anxiety disorders. Both subjects were interviewed to construct detailed images of fear-related events before treatment. The treatment followed a within-series phase-change design to examine the effects of eye movement added to the general treatment protocol. Both subjects' verbal reports of fear changed substantially when eye movements were added to the general treatment protocol. It was concluded that the addition of eye movement was necessary to reduce the aversiveness of some phobic imagery. No change in heart rate was observed for either subject. These results are discussed within the framework of the growing number of EMDR outcome studies.

Journal

English

Jeffrey Lohr
David F. Tolin
Ronald A. Kleinknecht

Lohr, J., Tolin, D. F., & Kleinknecht, R. A. (1996, January). An intensive design investigation of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing of claustrophobia. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 10(1), 73-88. doi:10.1016/0887-6185(95)00036-4