Mechanisms of Action Archives

Effects of eye movement versus therapist instructions on the processing of distressing memories (Journal of Anxiety Disorders)

The effectiveness of EMDR was tested by randomly assigning 48 participants to either an eye movement or an eye stationary condition.

Physiological correlates of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (Journal of Anxiety Disorders)

This study explored physiological correlates of eye movements during EMDR in relation to current hypotheses; distraction, conditioning, etc.

How eye movements affect unpleasant memories: Support for a working-memory account (Behaviour Research and Therapy)

Participants in this study rated unpleasant autobiographical memories before and after eye movements or an eyes stationary control condition.

Effects of bilateral eye movement on retrieval of item, associative and contextual information (Neuropsychology)

Two experiments investigated the effects of saccadic bilateral eye movements on the retrieval of item, associative, and contextual information. Bilateral eye movements increased correct recall for both types of context.

Neuroanatomical changes after eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment in posttraumatic stress disorder (Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience)

Some studies have suggested that psychotropic drugs may promote hippocampus neurogenesis and reverse the decrease in hippocampus volume.

Effects of EMDR psychotherapy on 99mTc-HMPAO distribution in occupation-related post-traumatic stress disorder (Nuclear Medicine Communications)

Study dealing with work-related PTSD, and investigations on the effect of treatment on cerebral blood flow following EMDR therapy.

Effect of bilateral eye movements on frontal interhemispheric gamma EEG coherence: implications for EMDR therapy (The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease)

The present study examined the effects of the eye movements used in EMDR on interhemispheric electroencephalogram coherence.

Assessment of Psychophysiological Stress Reactions During a Traumatic Reminder in Patients Treated With EMDR (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)

This study investigates changes of stress-related psychophysiological reactions after treatment with EMDR. Sixteen patients with PTSD following type I trauma underwent psychometric and psychophysiological assessment during exposure to script-driven imagery before and after EMDR and at 6-month follow-up.

Changes in the Regional Cerebral Perfusion After Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: A SPECT Study of Two Cases (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)

EMDR has emerged as a promising new treatment for trauma and other anxiety-based disorders. However, the neurobiological mechanism of EMDR has not been well understood.

Eye movement during recall reduces objective memory performance: An extended replication (Behaviour Research and Therapy)

Together, the findings suggest that the eye movement manipulation renders stimulus attributes less accessible for future recall.

Effects of bilateral eye movements on gist based false recognition in the DRM paradigm (Brain and Cognition)

The effects of saccadic bilateral (horizontal) eye movements on gist based false recognition was investigated.

Efficacy and mechanisms of action of EMDR as a treatment for PTSD (Murdoch University)

This article reviewed successful treatment approaches for PTSD and discusses the underlying processes of EMDR, one of the successful treatment approaches.

Mechanisms of Action

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