Eye-movements reduce the vividness, emotional valence and electrodermal arousal associated with negative autobiographical memories

Barrowcliff, Alastair L.; Gray, Nicola S.; Freeman, Thomas Charles Augustus; MacCulloch, Malcolm J.

doi:10.1080/14789940410001673042

Cited by 156 publications

(120 citation statements)

References 24 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Problem solving, the sequencing of tasks, and similar activities are traditionally thought of as higher executive functions of the brain. The de-arousing effect of EMs is consistent with the reassurance reflex model of EMDR proposed by MacCulloch and Feldman in their two subsequent papers (Barrowcliff, Gray, Freeman, & MacCulloch, 2004;Barrowcliff, Gray, MacCulloch, Freeman, & MacCulloch, 2003). They emphasise that de-arousal is not simply due to distraction by EMs.…”

Section: Research Focuses On Eye Movementssupporting

confidence: 72%

Neurobiology and Stochastic Resonance: Going Deeper

EMDR Therapy for Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This section is to inform therapists who have clients who want more detail on the proposed science of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) method. It will not be necessary to go into such detail with all clients, but better to have this knowledge and not need it, than to need it and not have it; so here is a summary of the latest research and publications. THALAMIC ACTIVITY AND PTSDIn patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), where the naturally occurring noise from descending cortico-thalamic feedback is presumed to be unavailable due to a decrease in thalamic activity (Bergmann, 2008;Sartory et al., 2013; Yan et al., 2013) seen in PTSD, the dual attention stimulation/bilateral stimulation (DAS/BLS) of EMDR therapy could be generating a random (stochastic) signal at the thalamic level. Stochastic resonance (SR) in this setting would presumably facilitate the sensing of a signal that would otherwise be subthreshold. In other words, a further signal is transmitted that would otherwise not be. The principle of boosting an undetectable signal by having it resonate with added white noise is an area of intense research (Moss, Ward, & Sannita, 2004). So although noise may seem a worthless thing in one context, it can be the essential phenomenon for generating a meaningful signal in another. This observation has led one researcher in this area to state, "One man's noise is another man's signal" (Kosko, 2006). REVIEW OF PROPOSED MECHANISMS OF ACTION OF DAS/BLS ELEMENT OF EMDR THERAPYDAS/BLS is the element of the EMDR method that raises the most questions, controversy, and derision. One of the earliest and most influential authors who examined the effects of eye movements and their role within EMDR therapy states, "A major bar to the further acceptance of EMDR as a treatment and as an inviting

show abstract

Section: Research Focuses On Eye Movementssupporting

confidence: 72%

Neurobiology and Stochastic Resonance: Going Deeper

EMDR Therapy for Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These studies relatively consistently show dearousal effect of BLS, through activating parasympathetic cholinergic system while inhibiting the sympathetic system (Wilson et al, 1996;Barrowcliff, 2003Barrowcliff, , 2004Sack et al, 2008a,b;Elofsson et al, 2007). At onset of the stimulation, a sharp increase of heart rate variability and a significant decrease of heart rate can be observed (Sack et al, 2008a) as well as the decrease of skin conductance level, increase of skin temperature and a changed balance between high frequency and low frequency heart rate variability (Elofsson et al, 2007).…”

Section: Emdr and Arousalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This finding is in agreement with results of research studies focused on impact of eye movements on image vividness and emotional intensity of autobiographic memories. This research indicates that eye movements reduce the vividness and emotional valence of autobiographical memories (Sharpley et al, 1996a;Kavanagh et al, 2001;van den Hout et al, 2001;Barrowcliff et al, 2003Barrowcliff et al, , 2004Lee et al, 2007;Kemps & Tiggemann, 2007;Gunter & Bodner, 2008).…”

Section: Emdr and Working Memorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurobiology of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Vojtová

Hašto

2009

Act Nerv Super

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing represents a promising approach to treatment of posttraumatic disorders. The specific factors underlying its effectiveness rely particularly on bilateral stimulation, which seems to provoke a specific neurobiological response during traumatic recall particularly in individuals with PTSD. The empirical findings provide evidence for the effect of BLS on autonomic nervous system shifting the balance towards parasympathetic activation (reducing arousal) as well as the effect on subjectively perceived vividness and emotional burden of autobiographic memories (decrease). The most credible hypotheses derive the effects from neurobiological mechanisms employed in dual focus attention, orienting reflex and REM sleep. Further research is needed to explore the processes included in the EMDR therapy in more detail and clarify the role of bilateral stimulation.

show abstract

“…Although controversial when it first appeared on the scene it is now corroborated by considerable research and, therefore, increasingly accepted. Its modus operandi is the performance of various eye movement exercises which confer a tranquilizing effect and may lead to a quick remission from disorders such as PTSD (Wilson et al 1996;Barrowcliff et al 2004). A noteworthy difference between these two cases is that the eye movements of REM sleep lead into dissociation, while those of EDTA lead out of dissociation.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Theory of Mind: Towards an Evolutionary Theory

Tsoukalas

2017

Evolutionary Psychological Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Theory of mind is an important mental faculty. However, despite almost half a century of research, we only have a limited understanding of its evolutionary past. The present article proposes a novel hypothesis on the origin of this unique human capacity. According to this hypothesis theory of mind descended from two, closely related, defensive reactions, namely tonic immobility and immobilization stress. Both reactions are conserved in many vertebrate species and are highly prevalent in immature individuals. They are produced by a combination of manual handling and restraint (common in many nursing activities) and implicated in the management of stressful encounters. Most importantly, they have been shown to facilitate eye-contact, gaze-following, and intentional attributions. These traits, and several others detailed in the text, make them prime candidates in the search for the origin of theory of mind. The article presents conceptual arguments and empirical facts in support of this hypothesis.

show abstract

Eye-movements reduce the vividness, emotional valence and electrodermal arousal associated with negative autobiographical memories

Cited by 156 publications

References 24 publications

Neurobiology and Stochastic Resonance: Going Deeper

Neurobiology and Stochastic Resonance: Going Deeper

Neurobiology of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Theory of Mind: Towards an Evolutionary Theory

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About