Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of specific phobias: Four single case studies on dental phobia

A series of single-case experiments was used to evaluate the application of EMDR to traumatically induced dental phobia.

Article Abstract

“A series of single-case experiments was used to evaluate the application of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to traumatically induced dental phobia. Following two to three sessions of EMDR treatment, three of the four patients demonstrated substantially reduced self-reported and observer-rated anxiety, reduced credibility of dysfunctional beliefs concerning dental treatment, and significant behavior changes. These gains were maintained at six weeks follow-up. In all four cases, the clinical diagnosis present at pretreatment was not present at posttreatment at a clinical level. All patients actually underwent the dental treatment they feared most within three weeks following EMDR treatment. The findings support the notion that EMDR can be an effective treatment alternative for phobic conditions with a trauma-related etiology.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Purchase/Subscription Required

de Jongh, A., van den Oord, H. J. M., & ten Broeke, E. (2002). Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of specific phobias: Four single case sudies on dental phobia. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(12), 1489-1503. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.10100