A Commentary on Hornsveld et al. (2011): A Valid Test of Resource Development and Installation? Absolutely Not

Evidence supporting “working memory” & “REM/Orienting Response” hypotheses as mechanisms of treatment effects of EMDR on patients with PTSD.

Article Abstract

“Researchers have published evidence supporting both the “working memory” and the “REM/Orienting Response” hypotheses as mechanisms underlying the documented treatment effects of EMDR on patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. Hornsveld et al. (2011) provide additional evidence of the impact of eye movements (EMs) on aspects of positive memory recall, but overstate their findings relevance to resource development and installation (RDI: Korn & Leeds, 2002) and to the interhemispheric interaction hypothesis (Propper & Christman, 2008). Most likely multiple mechanisms underlie the observed effects of EMDR and RDI. The needed RDI test is to randomly assign patients with Disorders of Extreme Stress not Otherwise Specified with measured coping difficulties to alternate conditions: one an RDI procedure without bilateral (or other distracting) sensory stimulation and one with bilateral EMs.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Leeds, A. M., & Korn, D. L. (2012). A Commentary on Hornsveld et al. (2011): A Valid Test of Resource Development and Installation? Absolutely Not. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 6(4), 170–173. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.6.4.170

About the Journal

The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research is a peer-reviewed publication devoted to integrative, state-of-the-art papers about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a broadly conceived interdisciplinary journal that stimulates and communicates research and theory about EMDR, and their application to clinical practice. The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research is the Official Publication of the EMDR International Association.