The comparison of EMDR with other therapeutic techniques in the processing of stressful memories in a non-clinical sample
Description
Background and aims
The application of EMDR is currently expanding to the treatment of several psychological and psychiatric conditions1,2. Research into the underlying mechanisms of EMDR and comparison with other therapies is still in infancy, however, particularly in non-clinical populations.
Methods
In a sample of 40 healthy participants undergoing psychotherapy training, each recounting 4 stressful memories, EMDR was compared with Brainspotting (BSP)2, Body-Scan Meditation (BSM)3, and book reading (BR as control condition). Each memory saw four separate sessions: baseline/T0, pre-treatment/T1 (after one week), post-treatment/T2 (after one single session of elaboration, i.e., T1, of approx. 40min) and follow-up/T3 (after two months from T2). For each we collected: Subjective Disturbance Levels (SUDs), Heart Rate Variability (HRV)4, and narrative length.
Results
Preliminary data of 27 subjects (M=34.44years; SD=6.84; 24females) showed similar SUDs during T0 and T1 (overall M for EMDR/BSP/BSM/BR=7.5). Although SUDs were reduced after each condition (T2vs.T1, all p<0.01), at T2 SUDs were considerably lower after EMDR than any other (all p<0.01; M=2.29, SE±0.41 vs. 4.58±0.42 on average for the other three conditions). With regards to narrative lengths and HRV indexes, we found a reduction in the first measure at T2vs.T1 (from 4.28 min to 2.83 min on average for the four conditions), and a marginal and EMDR-specific increase in Vagal tone (RMSSD, p=0.05).
Conclusions
These preliminary findings indicate the usefulness to compare different techniques for stressful, not necessarily traumatic, memory elaboration in non-clinical samples and highlight important psychological (SUDs and narrative lengths) and psychophysiological (HRV) markers of EMDR efficacy.
The application of EMDR is currently expanding to the treatment of several psychological and psychiatric conditions1,2. Research into the underlying mechanisms of EMDR and comparison with other therapies is still in infancy, however, particularly in non-clinical populations.
Methods
In a sample of 40 healthy participants undergoing psychotherapy training, each recounting 4 stressful memories, EMDR was compared with Brainspotting (BSP)2, Body-Scan Meditation (BSM)3, and book reading (BR as control condition). Each memory saw four separate sessions: baseline/T0, pre-treatment/T1 (after one week), post-treatment/T2 (after one single session of elaboration, i.e., T1, of approx. 40min) and follow-up/T3 (after two months from T2). For each we collected: Subjective Disturbance Levels (SUDs), Heart Rate Variability (HRV)4, and narrative length.
Results
Preliminary data of 27 subjects (M=34.44years; SD=6.84; 24females) showed similar SUDs during T0 and T1 (overall M for EMDR/BSP/BSM/BR=7.5). Although SUDs were reduced after each condition (T2vs.T1, all p<0.01), at T2 SUDs were considerably lower after EMDR than any other (all p<0.01; M=2.29, SE±0.41 vs. 4.58±0.42 on average for the other three conditions). With regards to narrative lengths and HRV indexes, we found a reduction in the first measure at T2vs.T1 (from 4.28 min to 2.83 min on average for the four conditions), and a marginal and EMDR-specific increase in Vagal tone (RMSSD, p=0.05).
Conclusions
These preliminary findings indicate the usefulness to compare different techniques for stressful, not necessarily traumatic, memory elaboration in non-clinical samples and highlight important psychological (SUDs and narrative lengths) and psychophysiological (HRV) markers of EMDR efficacy.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
D'Antoni, F., Pedone, E., Fabbro, R., & Crescentini, C. (2021, June). The comparison of EMDR with other therapeutic techniques in the processing of stressful memories in a non-clinical sample. Poster presented at the 20th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Virtual
Citation
“The comparison of EMDR with other therapeutic techniques in the processing of stressful memories in a non-clinical sample,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 8, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/26905.