Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in the treatment of depression: a matched pairs study in an inpatient setting

Abstract

BackgroundDepression is a severe mental disorder that challenges mental health systems worldwide as the success rates of all established treatments are limited. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a scientifically acknowledged psychotherapeutic treatment for PTSD. Given the recent research indicating that trauma and other adverse life experiences can be the basis of depression, the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of EMDR therapy with this disorder.MethodIn this study, we recruited a group of 16 patients with depressive episodes in an inpatient setting. These 16 patients were treated with EMDR therapy by reprocessing of memories related to stressful life events in addition to treatment as usual (TAU). They were compared to a group of 16 controls matched regarding diagnosis, degree of depression, sex, age and time of admission to hospital, which were receiving TAU only.ResultsSixty-eight percent of the patients in the EMDR group showed full remission at end of treatment. The EMDR group showed a greater reduction in depressive symptoms as measured by the SCL-90-R depression subscale. This difference was significant even when adjusted for duration of treatment. In a follow-up period of more than 1 year the EMDR group reported less problems related to depression and less relapses than the control group.ConclusionsEMDR therapy shows promise as an effective treatment for depressive disorders. Larger controlled studies are necessary to replicate our findings.

The effect of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing intervention on anxiety and depression among patients undergoing hemodialysis: A randomized controlled trial

“…Moreover, due to a close physical distance between neurologic bonds, the therapeutic effect is observed in a short period of time . In the AIP model as a guide of the EMDR therapy, it is believed that stored memories can lead to mental disorders . EMDR stimulates the information processing system in the brain and reprocesses information .…”

“…Schneider et al stated that EMDR was an important treatment for the reduction of depression and anxiety. Behnammoghadam et al and Hase et al reported statistically significant reductions in the depressive symptoms of patients after the use of EMDR. Staring et al compared the effects of EMDR and competitive memory training (COMET), that were used in combination in patients with anxiety (n = 47).…”

The AIP Model of EMDR Therapy and Pathogenic Memories

“…Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was introduced in 1987 as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR therapy is not only an evidence-based treatment of PTSD ( Bisson and Andrew, 2007 ; Watts et al, 2013 ; World Health Organization [WHO], 2013 ; Schulz et al, 2015 ), but is also a potentially effective treatment for various other mental disorders as affective disorders ( Landin-Romero et al, 2013 ; Hofmann et al, 2014 ; Novo et al, 2014 ; Hase et al, 2015 ), chronic pain ( Schneider et al, 2005 ; Wilensky, 2006 ; de Roos et al, 2010 ; Gerhardt et al, 2016 ), addiction ( Hase et al, 2008 ; Abel and O’Brien, 2010 ), or obsessive compulsive disorders ( Marsden et al, 2017 ). Functional imaging studies enable us to understand the working mechanisms of EMDR therapy to a great extent ( Pagani et al, 2012 ; Lee and Cuijpers, 2013 ).…”

War Experiences, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Sleep Disorders: Clinical Effectiveness of Treatment by Repeating Phrases of Positive Thoughts (TRPPT) of Mental-War Disorders in Syrian Refugees Children and Adolescents War Victims - A New Therapeutic Trial

“…"Standardized CBT ‡ and EMDR § interventions can significantly improve functioning of disaster-exposed children" (de Roos, Greenwald, den Hollander-Gijsman, Noorthoorn, van Buuren, &de Jongh, 2011). "EMDR therapy shows promise as an effective treatment for depressive disorders" (Hase, Balmaceda, Hase, Lehnung, Tumani, Huchzermeier, &Hofmann, 2015). Cognitive Behavior Therapy was used with childhood traumatic grief (CTG) (Brown, Pearlman, & Goodman, 2004), and with depression (Oras, De Ezpeleta, &Ahmad, 2004;Cohen, 2005;Damra&Nassar, 2014).…”