Treating Combat-Related Stress Disorders: A Multiple Case Study Utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) With Battlefield Casualties From the Iraqi War

Russell, Mark C.

doi:10.1207/s15327876mp1801_1

Cited by 40 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Although the clinical effi cacy of EMDR has been demonstrated (e.g., Russell, 2006;Tufnell, 2005), the therapy remains controversial, in large part because of a lack of knowledge of its underlying neural mechanisms (e.g., Spector & Read, 1999).We suggest that because EMDR helps patients overcome memory dysfunction associated with PTSD, it is possible that EMDR is effi cacious due to its action on neuroanatomical structures involved in memory. In particular, we have proposed that the alternating left-right stimulation used in EMDR facilitates episodic memory via neural mechanisms involved in hemispheric communication.…”

Section: Saccadic Horizontal Ems and Interhemispheric Interactionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Interhemispheric Interaction and Saccadic Horizontal Eye MovementsImplications for Episodic Memory, EMDR, and PTSD

Propper¹,

Christman²

2008

J EMDR Prac Res

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The growing body of literature on the effects of bilateral saccadic eye movements, patterned after those employed in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), on memory is reviewed. Research indicates that engaging in bilateral saccadic eye movements prior to lab-based memory testing results in significant improvement in episodic memory across a wide range of memory tests. Other effects of these types of eye movements on hemispheric activation and emotional state are also discussed. The findings are interpreted within a framework suggesting that bilateral saccadic eye movements, such as those employed in EMDR, increase interaction between the left and right cerebral hemispheres. This framework is also used to explain the effects of such eye movements on memory during EMDR treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder.

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Section: Saccadic Horizontal Ems and Interhemispheric Interactionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Interhemispheric Interaction and Saccadic Horizontal Eye MovementsImplications for Episodic Memory, EMDR, and PTSD

Propper¹,

Christman²

2008

J EMDR Prac Res

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“…Located studies were chosen for initial review if they met the following criteria: (a) randomized controlled trial or quasi-experiment, (b) PTSD diagnosis based on DSM criteria, (c) PTSD outcome measure, (d) Published between 1987 (the inception of EMDR) and April 2008, (e) English language. Using this approach, 15 studies were located, of which three were case studies (Young, 1995;Carlson, Chemtob, Rusnak, & Hedlund, 1996;Russell, 2006), one was a clinical comment (Thomas & Gafner, 1993), one discussed training needs and another did not otherwise meet our inclusionary criteria. A total of six RCTs and three quasi-experimental studies were retained for review and are discussed below.…”

Section: Selection Of Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does EMDR reduce post‐traumatic stress disorder symptomatology in combat veterans?

Albright

Thyer

2009

Behavioral Interventions

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Prior meta-analyses have suggested that eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) may be effective in alleviating the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR is now being recommended as a treatment for military combat veterans who suffer from PTSD. We provide a review of published outcome studies that appeared in print from 1987 -April, 2008 which examined the specific effects of EMDR on PTSD among military combat veterans. Studies were identified through electronic bibliographic databases, web sites, and manual searches of article reference lists. A total of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and three quasi-experimental studies met our inclusionary criteria and are reviewed. The evidence supporting the use of EMDR to treat combat veterans suffering from PTSD is sparse and equivocal, and does not rise to the threshold of labeling the therapy as an empirically supported treatment. It is premature to incorporate EMDR into routine care for veterans to alleviate combat-related PTSD. EMDR needs a considerably stronger evidentiary foundation which includes large-scale RCTs involving credible placebo controlled treatment conditions.

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“…In contrast to PTSD studies, to date trials on the effect of EMDR on acute stress (AS) syndromes are conspicuously meager, with very few cases described (Fernandez, 2008;Ichii, 1997;Russell, 2006) usually performed several months after the event (Colelli & Patterson, 2008;Grainger, Levin, Allen-Byrd, Doctor, & Lee, 1997;Silver, Rogers, Knipe, & Colelli, 2005). Controlled studies on AS syndromes have not been published at all.…”

Section: Emdr and Acute Stress Syndromesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Single-Session Modified EMDR on Acute Stress Syndromes

Kutz¹,

Resnik²,

Dekel³

2008

J EMDR Prac Res

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S oon after isolated or mass traumatic events, victims often develop acute stress (AS) syndrome. While most victims recover over weeks or months, symptomatic suffering in the acute phase may be considerable, and the potential risks for chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) pose a problem for the victims, their families, and their therapists. Applying a single session of abridged, modifi ed EMDR in the acute phase was anecdotally observed by the authors to alleviate most AS symptoms and dramatically abolish the intrusive symptoms of the acute phase. The current study reports the effects of applying a single session of modifi ed abridged EMDR to 86 accident and terrorist-bombing victims in the acute phase at a general hospital inpatient and outpatient setting.The dire psychological consequences of wars, terrorist attacks, and disasters, both natural and man-made, have made chronic PTSD a well-recognized diagnosis with richly documented psychotherapeutic interventions (Bradley, Greene, Russ, Dutra, & Westen, 2006). In contrast to the time-honed defi nition of chronic PTSD, the early phases of posttrauma are poorly defi ned, the information on the biology and psychology of acute stress syndromes is relatively sparse, and the effi cacy and role of early intervention for acute stress syndromes have not been suffi ciently delineated.Currently, psychiatric manuals identify three timerelated defi nitions of acute, posttraumatic stress:A single session of a modifi ed, abridged EMDR protocol was provided in a general hospital inpatient and outpatient setting to 86 patients with acute stress (AS) syndrome suffering from intrusion distress following accidents and terrorist bombing attacks. Fifty percent reported immediate fading of intrusive symptoms and general alleviation of distress, 27% described partial alleviation of their symptoms and distress, while 23% reported no improvement. Partial and nonresponders were provided with or referred for more comprehensive treatment. At 4-week and 6-month follow-up, the immediate responders in the terror victims group remained symptom free. The immediate responders tended to have uncomplicated AS symptoms with fewer risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while the nonresponders had higher exposure to former traumas and endorsed more risk factors for PTSD. These results support other anecdotal reports on the rapid effects of brief EMDR intervention on intrusive symptoms in early uncomplicated posttraumatic cases. Although more controlled studies are essential, this immediate method for symptomatic relief may be a potential addition for focused interventions in acute trauma victims.

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Treating Combat-Related Stress Disorders: A Multiple Case Study Utilizing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) With Battlefield Casualties From the Iraqi War

Abstract: Russell, M. C. (2008). Scientific resistance to research, training and utilization of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in treating post-war disorders.

Cited by 40 publications

References 36 publications

Interhemispheric Interaction and Saccadic Horizontal Eye MovementsImplications for Episodic Memory, EMDR, and PTSD

Interhemispheric Interaction and Saccadic Horizontal Eye MovementsImplications for Episodic Memory, EMDR, and PTSD

Does EMDR reduce post‐traumatic stress disorder symptomatology in combat veterans?

The Effect of Single-Session Modified EMDR on Acute Stress Syndromes

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