Does EMDR Work?
In any scientific field there’s research and for therapists that research tends to revolve around the effectiveness of treatments and interventions. There’s a long history of different treatment modalities/theories including psychoanalytic (Freud), cognitive therapy (Beck), behaviorism (Pavlov, Skinner), humanism (Adler), etc. A more recent addition (1980s) to this is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR. As with any new theory and treatment research started being conducted on whether or not this was a legitimate and effective therapy. I’ve included some studies below, notably meta-analyses which use numerous studies findings to produce better and more reliable results, that highlight our current understanding of EMDR and its effectiveness.
A meta-analysis of the contribution of eye movements in processing emotional memories.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23266601 (2013)
CONCLUSIONS: Results were discussed in terms of current theories that suggest the processes involved in EMDR are different from other exposure based therapies.
How eye movements in EMDR work: changes in memory vividness and emotionality.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24814304 (2014)
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that recall with EM [eye movements] causes 24-h changes in memory vividness/emotionality, which may explain part of the EMDR treatment effect, and these effects are related to intervention duration.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing versus cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult posttraumatic stress disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25974059 (2015)
CONCLUSIONS: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a relatively common mental disorder, with an estimated lifetime prevalence of ∼5.7%. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are the most often studied and most effective psychotherapies for PTSD. However, evidence is inadequate to conclude which treatment is superior. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to confirm the effectiveness of EMDR compared to CBT for adult PTSD. We searched Medline, PubMed, Ebsco, Proquest, and Cochrane (1989-2013) to identify relevant randomized control trials comparing EMDR and CBT for PTSD. We included 11 studies (N = 424). Although all the studies had methodological limitations, meta-analyses for total PTSD scores revealed that EMDR was slightly superior to CBT. Cumulative meta-analysis confirmed this and a meta-analysis for subscale scores of PTSD symptoms indicated that EMDR was better for decreased intrusion and arousal severity compared to CBT. Avoidance was not significantly different between groups. EMDR may be more suitable than CBT for PTSD patients with prominent intrusion or arousal symptoms. However, the limited number and poor quality of the original studies included suggest caution when drawing final conclusions.
Efficacy of Eye Movements Desensitization and Reprocessing on the Quality of Life of the Patients with Myocardial Infarction.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27302452
CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial infarction causes limitations in the physical activity and perturbation of quality of life.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of eye movements desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) on the quality of life of these patients. This study was conducted in two groups as the before and after while the effect of eye movements desensitization and reprocessing on the quality of life of the patients with Myocardial infarction. Sampling was done based on the purposive sampling. Patients were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups (30 patients in each group). Samples were assigned through randomized allocation. In the experimental group, the EMDR method was carried out on the patients in five 90-minute sessions over a two week period. In the control group no intervention was received. Data of Quality of life, pre-treatment, post-treatment were analyzed using SPSS. The results showed that the quality of life increase in all its dimensions of the experimental group, after performing the EMDR therapy significantly (P=0.001). Treatment what has already been stated, was effective on the quality of life in patients. Treatment team members can use this method as an effective intervention in order to improve the quality of life of their patients.
Investigating the effect of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) on postoperative pain intensity in adolescents undergoing surgery: a randomized controlled trial.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27134066
CONCLUSION:
These results suggest that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing may be an effective treatment modality for postoperative pain.
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing as Treatment for Chronic Pain Syndromes: A Literature Review.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27048429
CONCLUSIONS: Because most literature reported case studies, the results have limited generalizability. However, for clients who suffer from chronic pain, EMDR is a reasonable treatment alternative.
Overall I think there’s great research supporting EMDR, as well as potentially it being more effective than other therapies, although study limitations shouldn’t be ignored. I’d like to see more research so I know what’s most effective for my clients, but for now I’m happy to use EMDR when appropriate since research (and my experience) does support its efficacy. I will continue to also mainly incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Thearpy, Experiential Therapy, and Solutions Focused Therapy as other treatment modalities with my clients in the greater Nashville area.