Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adolescents: A review of the available literature
Narrative review on available evidence on the efficacy of EMDR in anxiety disorders and depressive disorders in children and adolescents.
Article Abstract
Introduction: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has abundant evidence of efficacy in traumatic spectrum disorders. Its efficacy in anxiety disorders (AD) and depressive disorders (DD) in children and adolescents has been scarcely studied.
Methods: We conducted a narrative review to describe the available evidence on the efficacy of EMDR in AD and DD in children and adolescents. We searched for articles available in PubMed/Medline, SciELO, PsycInfo and the Cochrane Library. All primary and secondary studies evaluating EMDR effect on AD and DD in children and adolescents were included. Their references were reviewed as a second inclusion method.
Results: nine studies were identified (five in AD and four in DD); three were observational and six experimental. All had small sample sizes. In AD, studies corroborated the efficacy of EMDR on phobic fear in spider phobia, but not on avoidance behavior, where in vivo exposure would be superior. Two case series reported the efficacy of EMDR in choking phobia and AD associated with epilepsy. In DD, EMDR was effective in reducing depressive symptomatology in the context of major depressive disorder, acute stress disorder, and conduct disorders. EMDR was comparable to cognitive behavioral therapy.
Conclusions: The evidence corroborates the efficacy of EMDR in AD and DD in children and adolescents. However, it is very scarce and has methodological limitations. It is necessary to carry out experimental studies with standardized and specialized EMDR protocols for AD and DD in the child and adolescent population.
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Retamal, M. I., Sepulveda, E., Cortes, J. P., Barraza, F., & Arancibia, M. (2021). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adolescents: A review of the available literature. Journal of Neuropsychiatry, 57(4). Open access retrieval: https://www.journalofneuropsychiatry.cl/articulo.php?id=85
Date
October 15, 2021
Creator(s)
María Ignacia Retamal, Elisa Sepúlveda, Juan Pablo Cortés
Contributor(s)
Felipe Barraza, Marcelo Arancibia
Topics
Anxiety/Panic/Phobias, Depression
Client Population
Adolescents, Children
Extent
9 pages
Publisher
Sonepsyn
APA Citation
Retamal, M. I., Sepulveda, E., Cortes, J. P., Barraza, F., & Arancibia, M. (2023). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for anxiety and depressive disorders in children and adolescents: A review of the available literature. Journal of Neuropsychiatry, 57(4). Open access retrieval: https://www.journalofneuropsychiatry.cl/articulo.php?id=85
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Meta-analyses/Systematic Reviews
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access