Neurophysiological correlates of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing session: Preliminary evidence for traumatic memories integration

This study suggested that EMDR leads to an integration of dissociated aspects of traumatic memories and, consequently, a decrease of hyperarousal symptoms.

Article Abstract

“We have investigated the potential role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in enhancing the integration of traumatic memories by measuring EEG coherence, power spectra and autonomic variables before (pre-EMDR) and after (post-EMDR) EMDR sessions during the recall of patient’s traumatic memory. Thirteen EMDR sessions of six patients with post-traumatic stress disorder were recorded. EEG analyses were conducted by means of the standardized Low Resolution Electric Tomography (sLORETA) software. Power spectra, EEG coherence and heart rate variability (HRV) were compared between pre- and post-EMDR sessions. After EMDR, we observed a significant increase of alpha power in the left inferior temporal gyrus (T = 3·879; P = 0·041) and an increased EEG coherence in beta band between C3 and T5 electrodes (T = 6·358; P<0·001). Furthermore, a significant increase of HRV in the post-EMDR sessions was also observed (pre-EMDR: 6·38 ± 6·83; post-EMDR: 2·46 ± 2·95; U-Test= 45, P = 0·043). Finally, the values of lagged coherence were negatively associated with subjective units of disturbance (r(24) = −0·44, P<0·05) and positively associated with parasympathetic activity (r(24)=0·40, P<0·05). Our results suggest that EMDR leads to an integration of dissociated aspects of traumatic memories and, consequently, a decrease of hyperarousal symptoms [Correction made here after initial publication].”

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Farina, B., Imperatori, C. Quintiliani, M. I., Castelli Gattinara, P., Onofri, A., Lepore, M, Brunetti, R., Losurdo, A., Testani, E., & Dell Marca, G. (2014). Neurophysiological correlates of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing session: Preliminary evidence for traumatic memories integration. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging, 35(6), 460-468. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpf.12184