Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing with survivors of sexual assault

This conference presentation reports findings from a review of the research that has been conducted in the last 10 years related to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and survivors of sexual assault. Many research studies (Andrade at el 1997; Bears at el 2001; Shapley at el 1996; van den Hout at el 2001) have indicated that the eye movement, tactile stimulation, and auditory tones reduce emotional distress, memory vividness to trauma, or enhance the ability to recall. Simon (2000) found that both subjects' trauma intrusive thoughts and sleep disturbance decreased significantly with treatment, and maintained consistent 30 and 120 days after treatment. The purpose of Ironson, Freund, Strauss and Williams (2002) was to determine if EMDR is effective at reducing PTSD symptoms. These researchers found that EMDR was effective, and subjects had reductions in PTSD scores It is hoped that by gathering information regarding EMDR with survivors of sexual assault, the benefits of the technique will be shown. The literature search shows that there needs to be more research in the field regarding the use of EMDR with survivors of sexual assault.

Conference

English

D. L. Freund
H. Wohlers
J. Liu

Freund, D. L., Wohlers, H., & Liu, J. (2010, August). Eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing with survivors of sexual assault. Presentation at the 118th APA Annual Convention, San Diego, CA. doi:10.1037/e625522010-001