Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Treatment of sexual trauma post-traumatic stress disorder and a treatment efficacy hypothesis

The purpose of this investigation was to study the treatment effects of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) on a civilian population of individuals diagnosed with PTSD from sexual trauma. A series of single case designs was utilized with 6 subjects to examine EMDR treatment efficacy. The results suggested that EMDR was effective in reducing distress and related PTSD symptomatology in 1 or 2 sessions of treatment. These treatment gains were maintained at 1 year follow-up. It is suggested that affective arousal may have a critical role in maintaining a number of disorders including PTSD and that EMDR appears to be able to activate as well as desensitize affective mood states so that more adaptive cognitive processing can take place.

Dissertation/Thesis

English

Kenneth L. Welch

Welch, K. L. (1996, September). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Treatment of sexual trauma post-traumatic stress disorder and a treatment efficacy hypothesis. (Doctoral disseration, Central Michigan University)