Effects of eye movement versus therapist instructions on the processing of distressing memories
The effectiveness of EMDR was tested by randomly assigning 48 participants to either an eye movement or an eye stationary condition.
Article Abstract
“The effectiveness of components of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) was tested by randomly assigning 48 participants to either an eye movement or an eye stationary condition and to one of two types of therapist instructions (reliving or distancing). Participants were university students (mean age 23) who were asked to recall a personal distressing memory with measures of distress and vividness taken before and after treatment, and at follow-up. There was no significant effect of therapist’s instruction on the outcome measures. There was a significant reduction in distress for eye movement at post-treatment and at follow-up but overall no significant reduction in vividness. Post hoc analysis revealed a significant reduction in vividness only for the eye movement and distancing instruction condition. The results were consistent with other evidence that the mechanism of change in EMDR is not the same as traditional exposure.”
—Description from publisher
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Lee, C. W., & Drummond, P. D. (2008). Effects of eye movement versus therapist instructions on the processing of distressing memories. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22(5), 801-808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.08.007
About the Journal
“Journal of Anxiety Disorders is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes research papers dealing with all aspects of anxiety disorders for all age groups (child, adolescent, adult and geriatric).”
—Description from publisher
Date
June 1, 2008
Creator(s)
Christopher W. Lee, Peter D. Drummond
Practice & Methods
BLS, Efficacy, Mechanisms of Action
Extent
8 pages
Publisher
Elsevier
Rights
Crown copyright © 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
APA Citation
Lee, C. W., & Drummond, P. D. (2008). Effects of eye movement versus therapist instructions on the processing of distressing memories. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 22(5), 801-808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.08.007
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article
Access Type
External Resource