EMDR Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Preliminary Research

Abstract

This article reports the results of two experiments, each investigating a different eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) protocol for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and each with two young adult male participants with long-standing unremitting OCD. Two adaptations of Shapiro’s (2001) phobia protocol were developed, based on the theoretical view that OCD is a self-perpetuating disorder, with OCD compulsions and obsessions and current triggers reinforcing and maintaining the disorder. Both adaptations begin by addressing current obsessions and compulsions, instead of working on past memories; one strategy delays the cognitive installation phase; the other uses mental video playback in the desensitization of triggers. The four participants received 14–16 one-hour sessions, with no assigned homework. They were assessed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), with scores at pretreatment in the extreme range (mean = 35.3). Symptom improvement was reported by participants after 2 or 3 sessions. Scores at posttreatment were in the subclinical/mild range for all participants (mean = 8.5). Follow-up assessments were conducted at 4–6 months, indicating maintenance of treatment effects (mean = 7.5). Symptom reduction was 70.4% at posttreatment and 76.1% at follow-up for the Adapted EMDR Phobia Protocol and 81.4% at posttreatment and at follow-up for the Adapted EMDR Phobia Protocol with Video Playback. Theoretical implications are discussed, and future research is recommended.

A randomized controlled trial comparing EMDR and CBT for obsessive–compulsive disorder

“…Phase 7 involves a careful closure of the session including use of coping resources, and Phase 8 is the re-evaluation, which takes place at the start of every subsequent session. Marr (2012) hypothesized that EMDR could provide a treatment option for OCD whereby processing the fears and ritualized behaviours of OCD would decrease symptoms in the present before turning to work on the underlying events linked to the onset of symptoms. This study applied an EMDR protocol described by Marr (2012), where the treatment plan is in the following order: processing current triggers (OCD obsessions and compulsions, which are viewed as separate recent traumatic events); installing a future template (imagining successful future action); and then processing any past related disturbing events.…”

“…EMDR is an empirically supported treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Bisson et al, 2007;Davidson & Parker, 2001;Van Etten & Taylor, 1998). A number of uncontrolled case series have reported the successful application of EMDR to alleviate symptoms of OCD (Bekkers, 1999;Bohm & Volderholzer, 2010;Keenan, Keenan, Ingham, & Farrell, 2014;Marr, 2012). Furthermore, Nazari, Momeni, Jariani, and Mohammad (2011) conducted a controlled trial in which 90 OCD patients were randomized to either EMDR or pharmacotherapy (citalopram).…”

Patients' experiences of cognitive behavioural therapy and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing as treatments for obsessive‐compulsive disorder

“…Consenting participants that met criteria for OCD based on the structured MINI diagnostic interview (Sheehan, Lecrubier, Sheehan, Amorim & Janavs, 1998) were randomly allocated to CBT based on ERP principles, or EMDR for OCD. EMDR was delivered following the treatment protocol by Marr (2012), which involves the following: processing current OCD triggers; installing a future template (imagining successful future action); and processing any past-related traumatic events. CBT followed the ERP protocol by Foa et al (2012), which involves psychoeducation, (in vivo and imaginal) graded exposure and desensitisation to OCD triggers, and the development of a relapse prevention blueprint.…”

Nacimiento, desarrollo y evolución de la desensibilización y el reprocesamiento por medio de movimientos oculares (EMDR)

“…Ambos tienen resultados positivos, si bien el grupo de EMDR obtiene descensos mayores en la escala de sintomatología postratamiento (Nazari, Momeni, Jariani y Tarrahi, 2011). Un año más tarde se desarrolla el protocolo de EMDR adaptado al TOC (Marr, 2012).…”