EMDR therapy to treat unipolar depression
Description
Studies show persons with depression exhibit lower left than right brain hemisphere activation, suggesting that left frontal alpha hypoactivity may be a risk marker for depression Davidson (1993).
• Treatments used effectively to treat depression have found changes in frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) post treatment (e.g., Peeters et al., 2014).
• EMDR therapy (Shapiro, 1995) has been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression. However, the neurobiological mechanism of EMDR therapy when used to treat depression has not been examined.
• This pilot study on EMDR therapy examines changes in FAA and compares them with self-reports of depression and session narratives. Participants were two 26 year-old White women.
• FAA indicated hypoactivation of the left hemisphere. Overall, changes in FAA were congruent with selfreports of depression pre- to post-treatment. Changes in FAA may help explain the underlying mechanism of EMDR therapy when used to treat depression.
• Treatments used effectively to treat depression have found changes in frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) post treatment (e.g., Peeters et al., 2014).
• EMDR therapy (Shapiro, 1995) has been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of depression. However, the neurobiological mechanism of EMDR therapy when used to treat depression has not been examined.
• This pilot study on EMDR therapy examines changes in FAA and compares them with self-reports of depression and session narratives. Participants were two 26 year-old White women.
• FAA indicated hypoactivation of the left hemisphere. Overall, changes in FAA were congruent with selfreports of depression pre- to post-treatment. Changes in FAA may help explain the underlying mechanism of EMDR therapy when used to treat depression.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Baptist, J. (2015, August). EMDR therapy to treat unipolar depression. Poster presented at the 20th EMDR International Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA
Citation
“EMDR therapy to treat unipolar depression,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 18, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/23443.