EMDR Therapy for an Elderly Woman With Depression, Traumatic Memories, and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia: A Case Study

Application of EMDR therapy in an 83-year-old White woman with preexisting diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s disease dementia.

Article Abstract

“This case study looks at the application of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in an 83-year-old White woman with preexisting diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s disease dementia. She presented to the community mental health team with depressive symptoms, and during assessment, which included the use of the Trauma Screening Questionnaire, several traumatic life events emerged. Following six sessions of EMDR, subjective reporting on trauma symptoms and resilience improved and this was maintained 9 months later. Depression and anxiety scores (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) remained consistent, though a lack of improvement in these scores was thought to be associated with progression of her physical health symptoms and related poor quality of life. This case highlights the potential use of EMDR in those with dementia and traumatic memories and the success of the standard EMDR protocol, despite difficulties with eye movements due to neurological effects of Parkinson’s disease. Further research in the application of EMDR in later life and in those with neurodegenerative medical conditions is recommended.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Ahmed, A. (2018). EMDR Therapy for an Elderly Woman With Depression, Traumatic Memories, and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia: A Case Study. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 12(1), 16–23. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.12.1.16

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.