Pain ameliorating effect of eye movement desensitization

Explored the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) without music vs eye movement desensitization with music (EMDM) in the management of acute pain induced by hand exposures to ice water. 30 Ss were randomly assigned to EMDR, EMDM, or control. The EMDR Ss focused on negative experiences associated with exposure to ice water, generated positive self-talk, and diverted their attention away from pain by focusing on a rapidly moving light on a monitor. The EMDM group received eye movement desensitization coupled with preferred music. Measures of hypnotic susceptibility, mood states, pain, and treatment credibility were obtained. Repeated measures univariate and multivariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to analyze the data. Both procedures alleviated participants' pain to a similar degree and significantly more than the control.

Journal

English

Hekmat, H., Groth, S., & Rogers, D. (1994, June). Pain ameliorating effect of eye movement desensitization. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 25(2), 121-129. doi:10.1016/0005-7916(94)90004-3