The working mechanisms of imagery rescripting and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Findings from a randomised controlled trial
This study provides insight into the working mechanisms of imagery rescripting and EMDR.
Article Abstract
“We studied the mechanisms of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and imagery rescripting (ImRs). We hypothesized that EMDR works via changes in memory vividness, that ImRs works via changes in encapsulated beliefs (EB), and that both treatments work via changes in memory distress. Patients (N = 155) with childhood-related posttraumatic stress disorder (Ch-PTSD) received 12 sessions of EMDR or ImRs. The vividness, distress, and EB related to the index trauma were measured with the Imagery Interview. PTSD severity was assessed with the Impact of Events Scale-Revised and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5. We conducted mixed regressions and Granger causality analyses. EMDR led to initially stronger changes in all predictors, but only for distress this was retained until the last assessment. No evidence for vividness as a predictive variable was found. However, changes in distress and EB predicted changes in PTSD severity during ImRs. These findings partially support the hypothesized mechanisms of ImRs, while no support was found for the hypothesized mechanisms of EMDR. Differences in the timing of addressing the index trauma during treatment and the timing of assessments could have influenced the findings. This study provides insight into the relative effectiveness and working mechanisms of these treatments.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Rameckers, S. A., van Emmerik, A. A. P., Boterhoven-de Haan, K., Kousemaker, M., Fassbinder, E., Lee, C. W., Meewisse, M., Menninga, S., Rijkeboer, M., Schaich, A., & Arntz, A. (2024). The working mechanisms of imagery rescripting and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Findings from a randomised controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 175, 104492. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2024.104492
About the Journal
“The major focus of Behaviour Research and Therapy is an experimental psychopathology approach to understanding emotional and behavioral disorders and their prevention and treatment, using cognitive, behavioral, and psychophysiological (including neural) methods and models. ”
—Description from publisher
Date
February 7, 2024
Creator(s)
Sophie A. Rameckers, Arnold A.P. van Emmerik, Katrina Boterhoven-de Haan
Contributor(s)
Margriet Kousemaker, Eva Fassbinder, Christopher W. Lee, Mariel Meewisse, Simone Menninga, Marleen Rijkeboer, Anja Schaich, Arnoud Arntz
Topics
PTSD
Practice & Methods
Efficacy
Extent
11 pages
Publisher
Elsevier
Rights
© 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
APA Citation
Rameckers, S. A., van Emmerik, A. A. P., Boterhoven-de Haan, K., Kousemaker, M., Fassbinder, E., Lee, C. W., Meewisse, M., Menninga, S., Rijkeboer, M., Schaich, A., & Arntz, A. (2024). The working mechanisms of imagery rescripting and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Findings from a randomised controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 175, 104492. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2024.104492
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed, RCT
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access