Inference exercises (IE) in the preparation phase of EMDR: Effects on heart rate variability (HRV)
Description
Background and aims
High scores on Dissociation Experience Scale – II (DES- II) and DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Symptom Scale, and unsafe or disorganized Adult Attachment Style may be associated with early and transgenerational trauma. Inference Exercises (IE) are being employed as EMDR Phase 2 strategy for complex trauma [1,2]. IE are procedures with the classic EMDR protocol itself, using inferences about family transgenerational history as a target for processing, before addressing trauma listings. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has emerged as a simple and non-invasive measure of autonomic impulses, as a quantitative marker of autonomic balance in the regulation of physiological processes, dependent on vagal activity.
Methods
In this ongoing study, approved by a Research Ethics Committee, we aimed to evaluate effects of IE on HRV, when compared to effects of a direct intervention for processing adverse childhood memories. Twenty subjects will be randomly assigned to two groups, subjected to testing and one EMDR session. All subjects, 10 minutes before, during and 10 minutes after processing disturbing childhood memories, will have HRV measurement. They will be invited to repeat the evaluations after one month. The subjects in the Blue group will be submitted directly to the processing of adverse childhood memories, while the subjects in the Green group will do the IE.
Participants are expected to learn an applicability of HRV as an assessment tool, and an applicability of IE as a phase 2 strategy of EMDR. In the background, there is a question in the study about when early trauma begins.
High scores on Dissociation Experience Scale – II (DES- II) and DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Symptom Scale, and unsafe or disorganized Adult Attachment Style may be associated with early and transgenerational trauma. Inference Exercises (IE) are being employed as EMDR Phase 2 strategy for complex trauma [1,2]. IE are procedures with the classic EMDR protocol itself, using inferences about family transgenerational history as a target for processing, before addressing trauma listings. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has emerged as a simple and non-invasive measure of autonomic impulses, as a quantitative marker of autonomic balance in the regulation of physiological processes, dependent on vagal activity.
Methods
In this ongoing study, approved by a Research Ethics Committee, we aimed to evaluate effects of IE on HRV, when compared to effects of a direct intervention for processing adverse childhood memories. Twenty subjects will be randomly assigned to two groups, subjected to testing and one EMDR session. All subjects, 10 minutes before, during and 10 minutes after processing disturbing childhood memories, will have HRV measurement. They will be invited to repeat the evaluations after one month. The subjects in the Blue group will be submitted directly to the processing of adverse childhood memories, while the subjects in the Green group will do the IE.
Participants are expected to learn an applicability of HRV as an assessment tool, and an applicability of IE as a phase 2 strategy of EMDR. In the background, there is a question in the study about when early trauma begins.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Zampieri, M. (2021, June). Inference exercises (IE) in the preparation phase of EMDR: Effects on heart rate variability (HRV). Presentation at the 20th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Virtual
Citation
“Inference exercises (IE) in the preparation phase of EMDR: Effects on heart rate variability (HRV),” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 14, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/26978.