Mechanisms of Action Archives

Eye movements reduce vividness and emotionality of “flashforwards.” (Behaviour Research and Therapy)

This study examined whether eye movements reduce vividness and emotionality of visual distressing images about feared future events: “flashforwards”.

Electrophysiological changes during EMDR treatment in patients with combat-related PTSD (Annals of General Psychiatry)

We have recorded a continual polygraph EEG, before, during and after EMDR therapy, in patient with combat-related PTSD.

Comparative efficacy of EMDR and alternative procedures in reducing the vividness of mental images (Scandinavian Journal of Behaviour Therapy)

The relative efficacy (to simpler procedures) of EMDR for reduction of the vividness of memories was investigated in a non-clinical sample.

Counting during recall: Taxing of working memory and reduced vividness and emotionality of negative memories (Applied Cognitive Psychology)

Does a secondary task that taxes working memory have beneficial effects? Dos stronger taxing mean stronger reductions in vividness/adversity?

EMDR’s Neurobiological Mechanisms of Action: A Survey of 20 Years of Searching (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)

We review neurobiological studies of EMDR, as well as theoretically driven speculative models to determine mechanisms of action.

Bilateral eye movement, attentional flexibility and metaphor comprehension: The substrate of REM dreaming? (Dreaming)

In a study involving individuals who had recently experienced significant loss or trauma, we found that experimentally induced saccadic eye movements decreased reaction times to unexpected stimuli among those reporting traumatic distress and increased reaction times among those reporting separation distress.

Hemodynamic responses of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in posttraumatic stress disorder (Neuroscience Research)

We assessed the change in hemoglobin concentration in the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) during Recall with and without eye movements.

EMDR Works . . . But How? Recent Progress in the Search for Treatment Mechanisms (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)

This article reviews several accounts of how EMDR works to reduce symptoms and/or aid in memory reprocessing.

A Single-Case fMRI Study EMDR Treatment of a Patient With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)

Study of EMDR with auditory alternating bilateral stimulation (ABS) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of brain activations.

Mechanisms of Action

Eye movements reduce vividness and emotionality of “flashforwards.” (Behaviour Research and Therapy)

Electrophysiological changes during EMDR treatment in patients with combat-related PTSD (Annals of General Psychiatry)

Comparative efficacy of EMDR and alternative procedures in reducing the vividness of mental images (Scandinavian Journal of Behaviour Therapy)

Counting during recall: Taxing of working memory and reduced vividness and emotionality of negative memories (Applied Cognitive Psychology)

EMDR’s Neurobiological Mechanisms of Action: A Survey of 20 Years of Searching (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)

Bilateral eye movement, attentional flexibility and metaphor comprehension: The substrate of REM dreaming? (Dreaming)

Hemodynamic responses of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in posttraumatic stress disorder (Neuroscience Research)

EMDR Works . . . But How? Recent Progress in the Search for Treatment Mechanisms (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)

A Single-Case fMRI Study EMDR Treatment of a Patient With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)

Editorial: Considering Mechanisms of Action in EMDR (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)

A Working Memory Explanation for the Effects of Eye Movements in EMDR (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)

Sleep-Dependent Memory Processing and EMDR Action (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)

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