The effectiveness of EMDR for PTSD is an extremely controversial topic among researchers, as the available evidence can be interpreted in several ways. On the one hand, studies have shown that EMDR results in a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to untreated control groups. Since its appearance on the therapeutic scene, EMDR has received some criticism and its share of controversy. It was a radical approach to dealing with traumatic memories and was not well understood at the time.
Although research continues, EMDR remains controversial among some health professionals. There are polarizing beliefs regarding eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. On the one hand, it is considered as a curative treatment for all mental health symptoms. On the other hand, critics see it as a treatment similar to today's snake oil.
Because of the often limited resources for individual psychotherapy, these data from EMDR group interventions are vitally important in offering trauma-focused psychotherapy to a wider audience. A small set of brain imaging studies has investigated the structural brain correlates of EMDR therapy, with a focus on memory (e. The high prevalence of EMDR in clinical practice and the dramatic increase in EMDR research in recent years, with more than 26 randomized controlled trials published to date, highlight the need for a better understanding of its mechanism of action. A second controversial issue in EMDR revolved around the possible overlap with other psychotherapies, in particular with TFCBT.
EM, eye movements; EMDR, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing; HC, healthy controls; NA, not applicable; OR, guidance response; PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder; VSSP, visuospatial sketchpad WM, working memory; BLS, bilateral stimulation. Future research should use objective measures established by previous research and evaluate various mechanisms in the context of the full EMDR protocol, before, during and after treatment. His statement: “Often, individual memories are just a representation of how one feels about their past (among a whole collection of memories that inform the person about how they feel about themselves, not a thing in and of itself) really agrees with EMDR therapy. Changes in brain activity were examined in a subsyndromic and traumatized bipolar patient after successful EMDR therapy.
Recently, neuroimaging studies have been based on these neurobiological models and neuroimaging findings in clinical populations to provide a significant leap in understanding the neurobiological correlates of EMDR. These findings confirmed the impact of successful EMDR therapy in increasing prefrontal control over hyperactive limbic subsystems and provided preliminary support for neuronal integration models. I admit that I did not intend to write an academic paper; but I am concerned that the theories and assumptions you criticize are not representative of the theory of EMDR therapy. Like TFCBt, EMDR aims to reduce subjective distress and strengthen adaptive cognitions related to the traumatic event.
EMDR is a safe and effective approach to treating trauma and PTSD, when that treatment is done with an experienced and trained EMDR therapist. Functional brain changes concurrent with EMDR therapy have also been examined with neuroimaging techniques other than SPECT. Recently, more sophisticated structural and functional neuroimaging studies using high-resolution structural and temporal techniques are beginning to provide preliminary evidence of neuronal correlates before, during and after EMDR therapy. .
