scholarly journals An Efficient System for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: A Pilot Study

Healthcare ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Nicolae Goga ◽  
Costin-Anton Boiangiu ◽  
Andrei Vasilateanu ◽  
Alexandru-Filip Popovici ◽  
Marius-Valentin Drăgoi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Traumatic Memory ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Efficient System ◽  
Traumatic Memories ◽  
The Past ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Disorder Treatment ◽  
Emdr Therapy

In this paper, we describe an actuator-based EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) virtual assistant system that can be used for the treatment of participants with traumatic memories. EMDR is a psychological therapy designed to treat emotional distress caused by a traumatic event from the past, most frequently in post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. We implemented a system based on video, tactile, and audio actuators which includes an artificial intelligence chatbot, making the system capable of acting autonomously. We tested the system on a sample of 31 participants. Our results showed the efficiency of the EMDR virtual assistant system in reducing anxiety, distress, and negative cognitions and emotions associated with the traumatic memory. There are no such systems reported in the existing literature. Through the present research, we fill this gap by describing a system that can be used by patients with traumatic memories.

scholarly journals Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy v. stabilisation as usual for refugees: randomised controlled trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 209 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Jackie June ter Heide ◽  
Trudy M. Mooren ◽  
Rens van de Schoot ◽  
Ad de Jongh ◽  
Rolf J. Kleber
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Traumatic Memories ◽  
Harvard Trauma Questionnaire ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Ptsd Scale ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Emdr Therapy

BackgroundEye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a first-line treatment for adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some clinicians argue that with refugees, directly targeting traumatic memories through EMDR may be harmful or ineffective.AimsTo determine the safety and efficacy of EMDR in adult refugees with PTSD (trial registration: ISRCTN20310201).MethodIn total, 72 refugees referred for specialised treatment were randomly assigned to 12 h of EMDR (3×60 min planning/preparation followed by 6×90 min desensitisation/reprocessing) or 12 h (12×60 min) of stabilisation. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) were primary outcome measures.ResultsIntention-to-treat analyses found no differences in safety (one severe adverse event in the stabilisation condition only) or efficacy (effect sizes: CAPS –0.04 and HTQ 0.20) between the two conditions.ConclusionsDirectly targeting traumatic memories through 12 h of EMDR in refugee patients needing specialised treatment is safe, but is only of limited efficacy.

scholarly journals Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for children and adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Esra Teke ◽  
Selahattin Avşaroğlu
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Emdr Therapy

The purpose of the present study is to examine the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for children and adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For this purpose, a framework was determined by using findings of the research and explanations at the conceptual level. PTSD is a mental disorder that is experienced after traumatic events, affects individuals cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally and threatens the integrity of an individual's life. EMDR therapy is a therapy that imaginatively reveals the past or traumatic experiences of the client through eye movements and other bilateral stimuli (two-way sound or tactile stimulus), facilitates information processing processes. Whereas EMDR was initially an approach developed for adults, it was later used for children and adolescents. The fact that it gives positive results in a short time and these positive results continue in follow-up studies has increased the interest in using EMDR for children and adolescents with PTSD. The use of EMDR for children and adolescents has allowed their problems to be resolved in a timely manner and reduced PTSD symptoms. This situation has drawn attention to the importance of using EMDR in the practice of psychological counselors working in school environments, leading places where they work with children and adolescents, and where the first preventive and interventional studies are carried out. Therefore, it is considered that the use of EMDR will be functional in overcoming these negative life experiences of many students who have been directly or indirectly exposed to traumatic experiences during the COVID-19 epidemic period.

scholarly journals The Role of Eye-Movements in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Eye-Movements Lower the Number of Intrusive Thoughts of Negative Memories

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Gauranga Jeram Patel
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Intrusive Thoughts ◽  
Central Executive ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Direction Of Movement ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Negative Memories

<p>Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and involves the patient thinking about a traumatic event while simultaneously moving their eyes from side to side. Despite substantial support for the efficacy of EMDR questions remain regarding how eye-movements contribute to therapy. One explanation is that eye-movements tax a part of working memory known as the central executive; however, the exact mechanism involved is still unclear. Previous eye-movement research has focussed on self-ratings of vividness and emotionality of negative memories as the primary outcome measures. The focus of the current research was to examine the effect of eye-movements on the suppression of negative autobiographical memories in addition to vividness and emotionality. Non-clinical participants were asked to recall negative autobiographical memories and then verbally reported ratings of vividness and emotionality. In the eye-movement conditions, which varied by speed and direction of movement, eye-movements were stimulated using dots on a computer screen. Participants were then asked to avoid thinking of their memories, and intrusive thoughts were measured by pressing a computer key. Six experiments found that, overall, the effect of eye-movements on self-ratings was inconsistent, but that eye-movements reliably improved suppression of negative autobiographical memories. The findings also support the central executive explanation for the effectiveness of eye-movements in EMDR.</p>

scholarly journals The Role of Eye-Movements in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Eye-Movements Lower the Number of Intrusive Thoughts of Negative Memories

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Gauranga Jeram Patel
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movements ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Intrusive Thoughts ◽  
Central Executive ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Direction Of Movement ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Negative Memories

<p>Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was developed as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and involves the patient thinking about a traumatic event while simultaneously moving their eyes from side to side. Despite substantial support for the efficacy of EMDR questions remain regarding how eye-movements contribute to therapy. One explanation is that eye-movements tax a part of working memory known as the central executive; however, the exact mechanism involved is still unclear. Previous eye-movement research has focussed on self-ratings of vividness and emotionality of negative memories as the primary outcome measures. The focus of the current research was to examine the effect of eye-movements on the suppression of negative autobiographical memories in addition to vividness and emotionality. Non-clinical participants were asked to recall negative autobiographical memories and then verbally reported ratings of vividness and emotionality. In the eye-movement conditions, which varied by speed and direction of movement, eye-movements were stimulated using dots on a computer screen. Participants were then asked to avoid thinking of their memories, and intrusive thoughts were measured by pressing a computer key. Six experiments found that, overall, the effect of eye-movements on self-ratings was inconsistent, but that eye-movements reliably improved suppression of negative autobiographical memories. The findings also support the central executive explanation for the effectiveness of eye-movements in EMDR.</p>

scholarly journals Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy for Handling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Respondents

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-74
Author(s):  
Eka Susanty ◽  
Setyono Koesno ◽  
Candra Yudhistira ◽  
Lulu Lusianti ◽  
Suprijanto Suprijanto
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Symptom Scale ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Emdr Therapy ◽  
Ptsd Prevalence

EMDR therapy is designed to reduce distress related traumatic event. PTSD prevalence is large enough in Indonesia. It was caused by many natural disasters that happened in several area of Indonesia. However, the application of EMDR for reducing PTSD symptoms was still rare. The objective of this study was to examine the intervention of EMDR therapy in handling PTSD respondents and using a one group pretest-posttest design. There were nine PTSD respondents involved during treatment. EMDR treatments were conducted in four repetitive sessions. Each session was completed in 60-90 minutes. Data was taken using PSS (PTSD Symptom Scale) and tested with Wilcoxon statistical analysis. The statistic test showed (Z = - 2.668; p = .05) with Asymp. Sig. =.008. Descriptive data showed that mean scores before and after therapy are 30.88 and 15.77 respectively. This research concluded that EMDR therapy can work to decrease PTSD symptoms.

scholarly journals The Effects of the Flash Technique Compared to Those of an Abbreviated Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy Protocol on the Emotionality and Vividness of Aversive Memories

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C. Brouwers ◽  
Ad de Jongh ◽  
Suzy J. M. A. Matthijssen
Keyword(s):  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Flash Technique ◽  
Emdr Therapy ◽  
Therapy Protocol

Introduction: The Flash technique is a novel intervention aimed at rapidly decreasing the subjective disturbance of an aversive memory, thereby serving as a potential way of treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The protocol is used to stimulate clients to engage in positive imagery while being discouraged to actively recollect the targeted disturbing memory. Previous research into the Flash technique’s efficacy shows promising results, yet controlled studies are lacking.Objectives: To test the efficacy of the Flash technique, it was compared to an abbreviated eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy protocol in a controlled experimental setting. We hypothesized that the Flash technique would lead to a larger decrease in the emotionality and vividness of an aversive autobiographical memory when compared to EMDR therapy. Our second hypothesis was that the procedure of the Flash technique would be evaluated more pleasant by its receiver.Method: The sample consisted of 60 non-clinical participants (mean age = 25.28 years; 73.33% female) who were able to recall an aversive autobiographical memory. They were randomized to either the Flash technique or the EMDR therapy condition. Measurements consisted of emotionality and vividness-ratings pre and post intervention, and at 1-week follow-up.Results: Bayesian analyses showed no differences between Flash and EMDR to the extent to which the emotionality and vividness of their memory was reduced. Afterward, the Flash technique was rated more pleasant than EMDR.Conclusion: The results support the claim that the Flash technique might be used as a brief and efficacious intervention for individuals suffering from disturbing memories. Although the results suggest that its efficacy does not differ from EMDR, the Flash technique seems to yield similar outcomes in a more pleasant way. Further research into its working mechanisms and in a clinical sample is required.

A cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach for working with strong feelings of guilt after traumatic events

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry Young ◽  
Zoe J. Chessell ◽  
Amy Chisholm ◽  
Francesca Brady ◽  
Sameena Akbar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
List Type ◽  
Traumatic Memory ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
New Information ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Imagery Techniques

Abstract This article outlines a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach to treating feelings of guilt and aims to be a practical ‘how to’ guide for therapists. The therapeutic techniques were developed in the context of working with clients with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, the ideas can also be used when working with clients who do not meet a diagnosis of PTSD but have experienced trauma or adversity and feel guilty. The techniques in this article are therefore widely applicable: to veterans, refugees, survivors of abuse, the bereaved, and healthcare professionals affected by COVID-19, amongst others. We consider how to assess and formulate feelings of guilt and suggest multiple cognitive and imagery strategies which can be used to reduce feelings of guilt. When working with clients with a diagnosis of PTSD, it is important to establish whether the guilt was first experienced during the traumatic event (peri-traumatically) or after the traumatic event (post-traumatically). If the guilt is peri-traumatic, following cognitive work, this new information may then need to be integrated into the traumatic memory during reliving. Key learning aims (1) To understand why feelings of guilt may arise following experiences of trauma or adversity. (2) To be able to assess and formulate feelings of guilt. (3) To be able to choose an appropriate cognitive technique, based on the reason for the feeling of guilt/responsibility, and work through this with a client. (4) To be able to use imagery techniques to support cognitive interventions with feelings of guilt.

scholarly journals Inducing Amnesia for Unwanted Memories through Subliminal Reactivation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zijian Zhu ◽  
Michael Anderson ◽  
Yingying Wang
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Innocent Bystander ◽  
Hippocampal Function ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Retrieval Cues ◽  
Psychological Conditions ◽  
Traumatic Memories ◽  
Cognition And Emotion ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Induced Forgetting

Traumatic memories contribute to psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias. Treatment of these disorders may benefit from techniques that reduce the accessibility of unwanted memories and their impact on cognition and emotion. Procedures such as retrieval suppression, associative interference, and reconsolidation disruption, though effective in inducing forgetting, involve exposure to the traumatic event, which is aversive and carries risks to the patient. But is explicit awareness of traumatic content truly necessary for effective voluntary forgetting? Recently, intentionally suppressing (i.e., stopping) retrieval of a memory in response to a reminder has been shown to temporarily interrupt hippocampal function. Disrupting hippocampal function through retrieval suppression induces an amnesic shadow that impairs the encoding and stabilization of unrelated “innocent bystander” memories that are activated near in time to people’s effort to suppress retrieval. Building on this mechanism, we successfully disrupted retention of unpleasant memories by subliminally reactivating them within this amnesic shadow window (on 88 participants across two experiments). Following the characteristics of retrieval suppression, the amnesic shadow disrupted memory for the subliminally reactivated events and induced forgetting that generalized across retrieval cues. Critically, whereas unconscious forgetting occurred on these affective “innocent bystander” memories, the amnesic shadow itself was induced by conscious suppression of unrelated and benign neutral memories, avoiding direct conscious re-exposure of unwelcome content. Combining the amnesic shadow with subliminal reactivation may offer a new approach to forgetting trauma that bypasses the unpleasantness in conscious exposure to unwanted memories.

scholarly journals Investigating the Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) on Children with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Traffic Accident)

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matin HassanzadehMoghaddam ◽  
Dr Javad Khalatbari
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Emdr Therapy

The study aim was to investigate Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) EMDR therapy on children with post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) in traffic accidents. The research population consists of children 7-11 years old in Tehran city who are surviving serious traffic accidents in 2014 that after screening 20 patients selected as sample who had the highest prevalence PTSD and divided into two groups of 10 patients randomly that the first group, called control group and second group was experimental group. The tools used in the study were anxiety depression scale and 42- DASS stress scale that had good convergent and discriminative validity and reliability by Cronbach’s alpha for the subscales depression, anxiety and stress at an acceptable level 0.91, 0.84 and 0.84 calculated, respectively. At first, 42- DASS test performed in the experimental and control group and then experimental group treated by Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR), re-test in both groups was performed, and the results were analyzed. However, there is no significant difference between the two groups in terms of anxiety. As a result, it stated that EMDR therapy has been effective on depression and stress in children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document