The efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing on aggression and self-esteem in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to determine the impact of EMDR therapy on aggression and self-esteem in children with ADHD.

Article Abstract

“Background: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental and psychological disorder in children. Reducing aggression and enhancing self-esteem are key approaches to helping these children adapt to their challenges. One potentially effective therapeutic intervention in this context is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the impact of EMDR on aggression and self-esteem in children with ADHD.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on all children with ADHD referred to specialized psychiatry and psychology clinics in Yasuj city in 2024–2025. A total of 62 eligible children with ADHD were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned, using block randomization, to either an intervention and control group. Data were collected before and after the intervention using a demographic information form, the Williams Aggression Questionnaire, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The intervention consisted of 6 sessions, each lasting 30–45 min. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 software and statistical tests including chi-square, independent t-test, paired t-test, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney U test.

Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the mean total aggression score (intervention: 92.06 ± 9.84 vs. control: 90.97 ± 5.92) and the mean self-esteem score (intervention: 22.87 ± 2.84 vs. control: 22.22 ± 2.96) among children with ADHD (P > 0.05). However, after the intervention, a significant difference was observed in the mean total aggression score between the intervention (30.19 ± 5.37) and control (90.64 ± 8.88) groups, as well as in the mean self-esteem score between the intervention (32.38 ± 3.26) and control (22.29 ± 3.02) groups (P < 0.0 01).

Conclusion: The EMDR intervention significantly reduced aggression and enhanced self-esteem in children with ADHD. Given the positive results of this study, EMDR can be utilized as an effective measure to improve aggression and self-esteem in these children and provides a foundation for further research on the impact of EMDR.

Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20250318065124N1. Registered 9 May 2025, retrospectively registered.”

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Article Access

Open Access 

Alizadeh, N., Behnammoghadam, M., Karimi, Z., Malekzadeh, M., Roustaei, N., & Hoseinpour, H. M. (2026). The efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing on aggression and self-esteem in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry, Early Access. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-026-08655-0(opens in new tab)

About the Journal

“BMC Psychiatry is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that encompasses a wide range of topics, including psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and psychosocial approaches to psychiatric disorders, as well as genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology research.”

—Description from publisher