Case studies of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder

Five hospitalized Vietnam combat veterans with chronic PTSD were treated with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a new psychotherapeutic procedure. Changes in previously refractory symptoms of intrusiveness and arousal were noted for some subjects. The variability of effects was examined in terms of subject variables and therapist training with the procedure. REM sleep findings and studies of cognitive concomitant of waking eye movement were considered in efforts to understand EMDR effects. The overall results suggest that: (1) EMDR can be a powerful clinical tool in the treatment of PTSD, and (2) further research is strongly recommended.

Journal

English

Howard Lipke
Alan Botkin

Lipke, H., & Botkin, A. (1992, Winter). Case studies of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 29(4), 591-595. doi:10.1037/00333204.29.4.591