A trial of eye movement desensitization compared to image habituation training and applied muscle relaxation in post-traumatic stress disorder

Imaginal exposure (image habituation training—IHT) vs. applied muscle relaxation (AMR) vs. eye movement desensitization (EMD) for PTSD.

Article Abstract 

“Thirty-six patients with PTSD were randomly allocated to individual treatment with imaginal exposure (image habituation training—IHT), or applied muscle relaxation (AMR) or eye movement desensitization (EMD). Assessment by a blind independent rater and self-report instruments applied pre and posttreatment and at 3-month follow-up indicated that all groups improved significantly compared with a waiting list and that treatment benefits were maintained at follow-up. Despite a failure to demonstrate differences among groups, there was some suggestion that immediately after treatment EMD was superior for intrusive memories.”

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Vaughan, K., Armstrong, M. S., Gold, R., O’Connor, N., Jenneke, W., Tarrier, N. (1994). A trial of eye movement desensitization compared to image habituation training and applied muscle relaxation in post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 25(4), 283-291. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7916(94)90036-1