Desensibilización y reprocesamiento por movimientos oculares (EMDR) para trastornos ansiosos y depresivos en niños y adolescentes: Revisión de la evidencia disponibleEye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adolescents: A review of the available literature
Description
Introduction
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has abundant evidence of efficacy in traumatic spectrum disorders. Its efficacy in anxiety disorders (AD) and depressive disorders (DD) in children and adolescents has been scarcely studied.
Methods
We conducted a narrative review to describe the available evidence on the efficacy of EMDR in AD and DD in children and adolescents. We searched for articles available in PubMed/Medline, SciELO, PsycInfo and the Cochrane Library. All primary and secondary studies evaluating the effect of EMDR on AD and DD in children and adolescents were included. Their references were reviewed as a second method of inclusion.
Results
Nine studies were identified (five in AD and four in DD); three were observational and six experimental. All had small sample sizes. In AD, studies corroborated the efficacy of EMDR on phobic fear in spider phobia, but not on avoidance behavior, where in vivo exposure would be superior. Two case series reported the efficacy of EMDR in choking phobia and AD associated with epilepsy. In DD, EMDR was effective in reducing depressive symptomatology in the context of major depressive disorder, acute stress disorder, and conduct disorders. EMDR was comparable to cognitive behavioral therapy.
Conclusions
The evidence corroborates the efficacy of EMDR in AD and DD in children and adolescents. However, it is very scarce and has methodological limitations. It is necessary to carry out experimental studies with standardized and specialized EMDR protocols for AD and DD in the child and adolescent population.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has abundant evidence of efficacy in traumatic spectrum disorders. Its efficacy in anxiety disorders (AD) and depressive disorders (DD) in children and adolescents has been scarcely studied.
Methods
We conducted a narrative review to describe the available evidence on the efficacy of EMDR in AD and DD in children and adolescents. We searched for articles available in PubMed/Medline, SciELO, PsycInfo and the Cochrane Library. All primary and secondary studies evaluating the effect of EMDR on AD and DD in children and adolescents were included. Their references were reviewed as a second method of inclusion.
Results
Nine studies were identified (five in AD and four in DD); three were observational and six experimental. All had small sample sizes. In AD, studies corroborated the efficacy of EMDR on phobic fear in spider phobia, but not on avoidance behavior, where in vivo exposure would be superior. Two case series reported the efficacy of EMDR in choking phobia and AD associated with epilepsy. In DD, EMDR was effective in reducing depressive symptomatology in the context of major depressive disorder, acute stress disorder, and conduct disorders. EMDR was comparable to cognitive behavioral therapy.
Conclusions
The evidence corroborates the efficacy of EMDR in AD and DD in children and adolescents. However, it is very scarce and has methodological limitations. It is necessary to carry out experimental studies with standardized and specialized EMDR protocols for AD and DD in the child and adolescent population.
Format
Journal
Language
Spanish
Original Work Citation
Retamala, M. I., Sepúlveda, E., Cortésa, J. P., Barrazaa, F., & Arancibiac, M. (2022, March). [Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adolescents: A review of the available literature]. Revista Chilena de Neuro-Psiquiatria, 60 (1): 51-61 doi:10.4067/s0717-92272022000100051. Spanish
Citation
“Desensibilización y reprocesamiento por movimientos oculares (EMDR) para trastornos ansiosos y depresivos en niños y adolescentes: Revisión de la evidencia disponibleEye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adolescents: A review of the available literature,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed April 28, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/27375.