Group eye movement desensitization and reprocessing interventions in adults and children: A systematic review of randomized and nonrandomized trials

Abstract

This review systematically synthesized existing literature on group protocols of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for treating a range of mental health difficulties in adults and children. We conducted database searches on PsychINFO, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and Francine Shapiro Library up to May 2020, using PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they used at least one standardized outcome measure, if they present a quantitative data on the effect of group EMDR protocols on mental health difficulties and if they were published in English. Twenty‐two studies with 1739 participants were included. Thirteen studies examined EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (IGTP), four studies examined EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G‐TEP), four studies EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress and one study considered EMDR Group Protocol with Children. Of the 22 studies included, 12 were one‐arm trials and 10 were two‐arm trials. We assessed risk of bias using a revised Tool to Assess Risk of Bias in Randomized Trials (ROB 2) and Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS‐I). Overall, the results suggested that Group EMDR protocols might be an effective tool in improving a wide range of mental health‐related outcomes including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. However, the included studies are limited to methodological challenges. The limitations and future directions are discussed.

Randomized Trial on the Effects of a Group EMDR Intervention on Narrative Complexity and Specificity of Autobiographical Memories: A Path Analytic and Supervised Machine-Learning Study

“…More importantly, group EMDR may represent an effective strategy as an early intervention and prevention of the development of psychological disorders in the long term following situations of acute stress [102]. Interestingly, miRNA-29a was identified as a response predictor for EMDR integrative effects [103] (while a mindfulness intervention [104] was found to improve cognitive function [105] by increasing the neuronal expression of miRNA-29c [106]), so a group EMDR intervention may represent an effective strategy to promote integration in clinical [52] and non-clinical individuals [107].…”

“…Group EMDR therapy is a well-proven form of treatment for traumatized children and adolescents [51][52][53][54]. To our knowledge, no study to date has evaluated the possible differential simultaneous effects of a group EMDR intervention on narrative complexity, specificity of autobiographical memories, event coding, SUD, and VoC in children aged 9-11 years.…”

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing to Reduce Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Related Symptoms among Forcibly Displaced People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Intervention modality was a source of significant difference between group and individual EMDR on PTSD symptoms, showing that EMDR, while effective in both modalities, had larger effects when applied individually than in groups. This finding needs to be explored in future studies as recent reviews have highlighted the efficacy of group EMDR with both adults and children (Kaptan, Dursun, Knowles, Husain, & Varese, 2021; Rafieifar & Macgowan, 2022). The subgroup finding in this study may be complicated by differences in the levels of PTSD symptoms or ages of samples in the included research.…”

Low-Intensity Interventions and EMDR Therapy

“…EMDR group therapy is an efficacious intervention, typically producing large effect sizes. Although the methodology in most studies has been poor (Kaptan et al, 2021), the acceptability of the treatment is shown by widespread use around the world. Originally developed for rapid use in disaster settings and recent traumas, EMDR group treatment is now being successfully used for historical traumas (e.g., with refugees) and for traumas which have "ongoing" triggers or traumatic stressors (e.g., patients with cancer).…”