Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Dismantling the cognitive component

Twenty-three individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for post traumatic stress disorder were randomly assigned to either a standard EMDR treatment group or a modified treatment group that omitted the cognitive reprocessing component of EMDR. All subjects were assessed on a variety of pretest posttest measures including the SCL-90- R, the Impact of Events, the Structured Interview for PTSD, SUDS, and Validity of Cognitions (VoC). Results of repeated measures ANOVAs indicate a significant decrease across all pre to post measures, with these results being maintained at a 1 month followup. With the exception of SUDs and SCL-90-R anxiety scores, there were no differences between groups on any measure. The results support the hypothesis that the cognitive reprocessing component of EMDR is not essential to treatment outcome.

Dissertation/Thesis

English

Karen Cusack

Cusack, K. (1997). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Dismantling the cognitive component. (Master's thesis, Western Michigan University)