Relationship between efficacy and methodology in the treatment of PTSD with EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Thought Field Therapy (TFT), Time-Limited Trauma Therapy (T-LTT) Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR), and Visual/Kinesthetic Dissociation (V/KD) are relatively new approaches in the treatment of trauma-related disorders. These approaches have come under intense scientific and professional scrutiny and criticism, with proponents and critics offering diverse and intriguing arguments in support of their respective points of view. This discussion will focus on the current empirical and anecdotal evidence on the efficacy of these five approaches, as well as various criticisms that have been proferred in response to the empirical and clinical literature on treatment efficacy and theory. EMDR will be highlighted, given the growing empirical database on EMDR outcome studies and the contention surrounding the treatment and its’ theory. The evidence for and/or against the other four approaches will also be presented, upon which we will raise for discussion issues relating to methodological rigour, scientific reporting of clinical data, and the interpretation of efficacy studies in general. The discussion will occur within the context of philosophical discourse on the ideal of integration of science and practice, and the feasibility of attaining this ideal within the current scientific Zeitgeist.

Conference

English

Louise Maxfield

Maxfield, L. (1999, November). Relationship between efficacy and methodology in the treatment of PTSD with EMDR. In Review of neoteric trauma treatments and suggested practice guidelines (C. R. Figley, Chair). Discussion conducted at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 15th Annual Meeting, Miami, FL