Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Efficacy in improving clinical, neuropsychological, and quality of life in women victims of violence

This study examined the effectiveness of EMDR therapy compared with narrative exposure therapy (NET) as treatments for women who have experienced violence.

Article Abstract

“Background: The number of female victims of violence has significantly increased in recent years, resulting in physical, mental, and social damage.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapeutic model compared with narrative exposure therapy (NET) as treatments for clinical improvement, neuropsychological outcomes, and quality of life in women who have experienced violence.
Methods: A randomized experimental study was conducted, involving 120 women exposed to physical, psychological, and sexual violence, who were assigned to either an EMDR or NET group. An extensive battery of clinical, neuropsychological, and quality of life tests was administered both before and after a 10-session therapeutic intervention.
Results: Compared with the group of women treated with NET, the group of women who received EMDR therapy, exposed to physical, psychological, and sexual violence, achieved a greater decrease in anxiety (p = 0.001), depression (p = 0.001), and post-traumatic symptoms (p = 0.002). Additionally, there was an increase in the quality of life index (p = 0.001), performance in working memory (p = 0.000), and executive functioning tests (p = 0.000), compared with NET.
Conclusions: EMDR proved to be more effective compared with NET in reducing post-traumatic clinical symptoms, increasing the level of quality of life, and enhancing cognitive performance in women affected by gender-based violence. Additionally, it demonstrated independence in therapeutic response across most estimated sociodemographic factors, making it a therapy with broader therapeutic reach in the community of Ecuadorian women.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Meneses, A. Y. M., Fernandez,-Gonzalo, S., & Vicente, M. J. (2024). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Efficacy in improving clinical, neuropsychological, and quality of life in women victims of violence. Women’s Health Reports, 5(1), 984-996. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1089/whr.2023.0110

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Date
December 6, 2024

Creator(s)
Alexandra Yakeline Meneses Meneses, Sol Fernández-Gonzalo, Mercè Jodar Vicente

Topics
Sexual Trauma

Client Population
Racial/Cultural/Ethnic Groups

Practice & Methods
Comparative Studies

More Info Collapse

Extent
13 pages

Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Rights
Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024.

APA Citation
Russo, S., Fiani, F., Napoli, C. (2024). Remote eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment of long-COVID and post-COVID-related traumatic disorders: An innovative approach. Brain Sciences, 14(12), 1212. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14121212

Audience
EMDR Therapists

Language
English

Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed

Access Type
External Resource, Open Access

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