EMDR as Treatment Option for Conditions Other Than PTSD: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The technique is known to facilitate reprocessing of maladaptive memories that are thought to be central to this pathology. Here we investigate if EMDR therapy can be used in other conditions. We conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. We searched for published empirical findings on EMDR, excluding those centred on trauma and PTSD, published up to 2020. The results were classified by psychiatric categories. Ninety articles met our research criteria. A positive effect was reported in numerous pathological situations, namely in addictions, somatoform disorders, sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, disorders of adult personality, mood disorders, reaction to severe stress, anxiety disorders, performance anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), pain, neurodegenerative disorders, mental disorders of childhood and adolescence, and sleep. Some studies reported that EMDR was successful in usually uncooperative (e.g., Dementia) or unproductive cases (e.g., aphasia). Moreover, in some severe medical conditions, when psychological distress was an obstacle, EMDR allowed the continuation of treatment-as-usual. Furthermore, the effects observed in non-pathological situations invite for translational research. Despite a generally positive outlook of EMDR as an alternative treatment option, more methodologically rigorous studies are needed. We discuss the advantages and limitations and possible implications for the hypothesised mechanisms of action.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and mediative behavioral therapy for the treatment of suffocation related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A case report

“…Earlier studies showed effectiveness of EMDR in populations with restricted autonomy, such as dementia patients (Van der Wielen et al, 2019), patients with intellectual disabilities (Gilderthorp, 2015), or patients with restricted motoric and intellectual capacities (Ahmed, 2018). There is a growing interest in patient groups that do not always have access to therapy, with a broad application of EMDR in case of depression, stress, and anxiety (Guina and Guina, 2018; Scelles and Bulnes, 2021).…”

Getting stress-related disorders under control: The unique opportunity of neurofeedback-based therapy

“…For instance, psychotherapeutic approaches affect the brain only indirectly through changes in cognitive and behavioural parameters while pharmacological manipulations can directly target and affect neural parameters in the brain. Both are commonly applied exogenously, with the impulse of change coming from the outside, in form of interventions relying on, for instance, repeated exposure (Abramowitz et al, 2019) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (Novo Navarro et al, 2018;Scelles & Bulnes, 2021), or through drug administration. We argue that neurofeedback has properties that make it unique with respect to other treatment approaches and allows it to fill a crucial gap in current treatment options (see also Figure 1).…”

Supporting Women to Heal from Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

“…Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a sort of exposure therapy involving evaluation and preparation, imaginal flooding, and cognitive restructuring for the treatment of traumatic memories. Rapid, rhythmic eye movements and other bilateral stimulation are utilized to treat individuals who have suffered traumatic stress (Scelles & Bulnes, 2021).…”