Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): A meta-analysis.

Abstract

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). a controversial treatment suggested for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other conditions, was evaluated in a meta-analysis of 34 studies that examined EMDR with a variety of populations and measures. Process and outcome measures were examined separately, and EMDR showed an effect on both when compared with no treatment and with therapies not using exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli and in pre-post EMDR comparisons. However, no significant effect was found when EMDR was compared with other exposure techniques. No incremental effect of eye movements was noted when EMDR was compared with the same procedure without them. R. J. DeRubeis and P. Crits-Christoph (1998) noted that EMDR is a potentially effective treatment for noncombat PTSD, but studies that examined such patient groups did not give clear support to this. In sum. EMDR appears to be no more effective than other exposure techniques, and evidence suggests that the eye movements integral to the treatment, and to its name, are unnecessary.

Evidence Base Update: 50 Years of Research on Treatment for Child and Adolescent Anxiety

“…Of interest, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) was identified as a Level 5 treatment. This is in contrast to research in adults suggesting that EMDR has similar effects to exposure techniques, which some argue is due to the exposure clients receive in both treatment approaches (Davidson & Parker, 2001). The finding in children and adolescents that EMDR is not equivalent to exposure therapies suggests that clinicians should use caution in extending findings from studies in adult populations to child and adolescent populations.…”

Posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder-like symptoms and mild traumatic brain injury

“…Evidence suggests that EMDR is effective for PTSD compared with no treatment and with therapies not involving exposure. However, it has not shown to increase efficacy over other treatments that include exposure techniques [167]. Therefore, the efficacy of the specific eye movement component of this treatment has been questioned and results of the few studies available are inconsistent [168].…”

Tratamientos con apoyo empírico. Una aproximación a sus ventajas, imitaciones y propuestas de mejora

“…Esto lleva a formular dudas acerca de cuáles son los mecanismos causales del tratamiento. La polémica respecto al Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing EMDR se debe a que el movimiento ocular parece ser inocuo, y el paquete completo parece ser menos efectivo que la exposición sin agregados (Davidson y Parker, 2001). Del mismo modo, podríamos preguntarnos si otros tratamientos "funcionan" por lo que dicen sus teorías (Westen, Novotny y Thompson-Brenner, 2004b).…”