EMDR and the Adaptive Information Processing ModelPotential Mechanisms of Change

Abstract

E ye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the brain's intrinsic information processing system and how memories are stored. Current symptoms are viewed as resulting from disturbing experiences that have not been adequately processed and have been encoded in state-specifi c, dysfunctional form (Shapiro, 1995(Shapiro, , 2001(Shapiro, , 2007a. The heart of EMDR involves the transmutation of these dysfunctionally stored experiences into an adaptive resolution that promotes psychological health. For EMDR to be applied effectively, the clinician needs a framework that identifi es appropriate target memories and order of processing to obtain optimal treatment effects. The adaptive information processing (AIP) model, which informs EMDR treatment, contains a variety of tenets and predictions that implicate various potential agents of change. A comprehensive examination of all the AIP principles is beyond the scope of this article (see Shapiro 2001Shapiro , 2006. However, because EMDR is a complex approach with many elements, the purpose of this article is to highlight a range of possible agents of change in addition to the eye movement and other bilateral stimulation that have garnered the most attention.The article begins with a brief overview of the AIP model and the proposed basis of clinical pathology. The observed transmutation of processed memories is discussed, along with conjectures regarding recent research on the reconsolidation of memory, which is a neurobiological process hypothesized to underlie EMDR's effects. As reconsolidation is believed to be different from extinction in terms of the neurobiological processes involved, the similarities and differences between the AIP model and those offered for extinction-based exposure therapies are explored along with implications for clinical practice. Research investigations are proposed to test both the tenets and potential mechanisms of actions. Then the potential mechanisms of action attendant to the EMDR procedures, including the bilateral stimulation, are considered. It should be noted that, although theories abound, the precise mechanisms of change are unknown in any form of therapy, and randomized Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach guided by the adaptive information processing (AIP) model. This article provides a brief overview of some of the major precepts of AIP. The basis of clinical pathology is hypothesized to be dysfunctionally stored memories, with therapeutic change resulting from the processing of these memories within larger adaptive networks. Unlike extinction-based exposure therapies, memories targeted in EMDR are posited to transmute during processing and are then again stored by a process of reconsolidation. Therefore, a comparison and contrast to extinction-based information processing models and treatment is provided, including implications for clinical practice. Throughout the article a variety of mechanisms of action are discussed, including those...

Comparison of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Duloxetine Treatment Outcomes in Women Patients with Somatic Symptom Disorder

“…The previous studies of EMDR have provided robust evidence empirically supporting the theoretical considerations of the AIP model that EMDR therapy for phantom limb pain which is assumed to be caused by the unprocessed painful memories containing the physical sensations during the time of the event indicate an excessive success rate as defined by almost complete elimination of the painful somatic sensations (de Roos et al, 2010;Russell, 2008;Schneider et al, 2008;Wilensky, 2006). Completed processing of the memory through is premised to include an integration and reconsolidation of the originally stored memory that results in alterations in emotions, beliefs and bodily sensations (Shapiro, 2001(Shapiro, , 2007Solomon & Shapiro, 2008). Therefore, EMDR therapy is beneficial in the treatment of chronic pain and somatic symptoms.…”

Approche des deux méthodes : un modèle de conceptualisation de cas dans le contexte de l’EMDR

“…Cette notion, selon laquelle ces observations sont les produits d'un retraitement complet, est à la base du modèle de Traitement adaptatif de l'information (TAI) de Shapiro (Shapiro, 1995(Shapiro, , 2001(Shapiro, , 2006 qui offre un cadre considéré comme utile pour les thérapeutes dans la formulation du problème en termes de relation entre les souvenirs d'événements significatifs d'un côté, les symptômes actuels du client de l'autre, et enfin l'utilisation de l'EMDR pour résoudre ces souvenirs (Solomon & Shapiro, 2008). Selon un principe sous-jacent de ce modèle, les événements né-gatifs laissent des traces dans le réseau neuronal d'un individu de sorte à provoquer une variété de symptômes, dont des croyances dysfonctionnelles sur soi (p.ex.…”

“…L'information mnésique non traitée et stockée de manière dysfonctionnelle est responsable des symptômes qui peuvent varier depuis la reviviscence d'expériences passées jusqu'à des peurs, des états dépressifs, des troubles du sommeil ou un dysfonctionnement sexuel. Le postulat de base du modèle TAI est qu'en accédant à des souvenirs stockés de manière dysfonctionnelle et en stimulant le système inné de traitement de l'information, les symptômes diminuent (Shapiro, 2001(Shapiro, , 2002(Shapiro, , 2006Solomon & Shapiro, 2008). Donc si un thérapeute choisit d'utiliser l'EMDR dans le contexte de la prise en charge afin de réduire cette perturbation, la thérapie sera centrée sur le remodelage des souvenirs significatifs qui sous-tendent les symptômes dont souffre le client.…”

EMDR and the Anxiety Disorders: Exploring the Current Status

“…This notion is at the basis of Shapiro's adaptive information-processing (AIP) model, a framework that is considered to be helpful to therapists when developing a problem formulation in terms of a relationship between memories of disturbing events and clients' current anxiety symptoms and the use of EMDR for resolving these memories (Solomon & Shapiro, 2008). Indeed, since the development of EMDR, a large number of articles have appeared, suggesting a positive effect of EMDR on the symptoms of individuals suffering from various anxiety-related conditions.…”