The efficacy and psychophysiological correlates of dual-attention tasks in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) (Journal of Anxiety Disorder)
Findings indicate that eye movements in EMDR are beneficial & distinct psychophysiological changes may aid in processing negative memories.
The impact of taxing working memory on negative and positive memories (European Journal of Psychotraumatology)
This study examined the impact of taxing working memory on negative and positive memories.
Cortisol response following exposure treatment for PTSD in rape victims (Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma)
Changes in salivary cortisol levels in adult female rape victims with PTSD, assigned to either prolonged exposure therapy or EMDR.
Gray matter density in limbic and paralimbic cortices is associated with trauma load and EMDR outcome in PTSD patients (Journal of Psychiatric Research)
This study evaluated gray matter (GM) density in PTSD in relation to trauma load, and assessed the GM differences between responders (R) and non-responders (NR) to EMDR therapy.
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.
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.
Adult PTSD and Its Treatment With EMDR: A Review of Controversies, Evidence, and Theoretical Knowledge (Journal of EMDR Practice and Research)
This article provides an overview of selective issues relating to adult posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its treatment with EMDR.
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.
The brain’s orienting response: An event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging investigation (Human Brain Mapping)
This study suggests that the brain’s response to novel sounds not only orients attention but also extracts their meaning to help guide appropriate actions.
On the neural basis of EMDR therapy: Insights from qEEG studies (Traumatology)
The authors present evidence based on quantitative electroencephalogram studies that the neural basis for the EMDR effect is depotentiation of fear memory synapses in the amygdala during an evoked brain state similar to that of slow wave sleep.
