Efficacy of EMDR Therapy for Anxiety Disorders
Six randomized controlled trials investigated the efficacy of EMDR therapy for adults with anxiety disorders over a span of 20 years.
Article Abstract
“Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigated the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for adults with anxiety disorders over a span of 20 years (1997–2017). Three RCTs focused on panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia (PDA); two studies targeted specific phobias, whereas the dependent variable of another RCT was “self-esteem,” considered as a mediator factor for anxiety disorders. In four RCTs, EMDR therapy demonstrated a positive effect on panic and phobic symptoms, whereas one RCT on PDA was partly negative and one study failed in improving self-esteem in patients with anxiety disorders. Considered as a whole, these preliminary data suggest EMDR therapy may be effective not only for PD but also for specific phobias. Further controlled studies are needed to corroborate these findings and also to systematically evaluate the efficacy of EMDR therapy for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and agoraphobia. Because cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is presently considered a first-line treatment for anxiety disorders, controlled comparisons between EMDR therapy and CBT would be especially useful in future investigations of EMDR treatment of anxiety disorders.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Faretta, E., & Dal Farra, M. (2019). Efficacy of EMDR Therapy for Anxiety Disorders. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 13(4), 325–332. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.325
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.
Date
December 1, 2019
Creator(s)
Elisa Faretta, Mariella Dal Farra
Topics
Anxiety/Panic/Phobias
Practice & Methods
Efficacy
Extent
8 pages
Publisher
Springer Publishing Company
Rights
Copyright © 2019 EMDR International Association
APA Citation
Faretta, E., & Dal Farra, M. (2019). Efficacy of EMDR Therapy for Anxiety Disorders. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 13(4), 325–332. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.325
Series
13
Installment
4
Audience
EMDR Therapists
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed
Original Source
Journal of EMDR Practice and Research
Access Type
Open Access