Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy in Adolescents With Panic Disorder: A Twelve-Week Follow-Up Study

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment in adolescents with panic disorder (PD). This follow-up study consists of 30 adolescents with PD without agoraphobia, aged 14-17 (15.53 ± .97). They were evaluated with Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children Present, also the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered at baseline, at the end of the 4th and 12th weeks of treatment. EMDR therapy which is an eight-phase treatment approach composed of standardized protocols and procedures was applied for 12 weeks, one session per week. The baseline mean of the total PAS score decreased from 40.06 to 13.13 at fourth week and 1.2 at the end of 12th week of treatment. In addition, BAI score decreased significantly from 33.67 to 13.83 at 4 weeks and 5.31 at the end of 12th week of treatment. Overall, our results underscore the effectiveness of EMDR in adolescents with PD. Moreover, the current study suggests that EMDR may represent an effective intervention technique for PD in adolescents to protect against relapses and to overcome a fear of future attacks.

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing: part 2 – wider use in stress and trauma conditions

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an established psychotherapy that utilises repetitive, bilateral stimulation, such as saccadic eye movements, to treat the symptoms associated with traumatic experiences. Much of the attention EMDR has received has focused on its use in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has resulted in its inclusion in several treatment guidelines. There is, however, emerging evidence that suggests a promising role for EMDR in managing a wide range of other mental and physical health conditions. High-quality studies demonstrate the efficacy of EMDR in managing conditions such as anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder and chronic pain. Preliminary studies have also investigated its use in conditions such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders, substance misuse, psychotic disorders and sleep disturbances. The major studies exploring these applications of EMDR, outside of PTSD, are reviewed in this article.

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

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.

Effects of the Brain Wave Modulation Technique Administered Online on Stress, Anxiety, Global Distress, and Affect During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This study aims to evaluate the effects of an innovative mind-body practice named the brain wave modulation technique (BWM-T) on stress, anxiety, global distress, and affect. The technique was administered online through a web-based video conferencing platform. The intervention started on week four of the first quarantine in Italy (week commencing 30th March 2020), for a duration of 4 weeks and ended before lockdown measures were loosened. 310 people participated in the study, mean age 28.73 years old (SD = 9.16), 77.8% women. Of these, about half were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the other half served as controls. Participants completed online psychological tests before and after the intervention. 266 people (144 experimental, 122 controls) completed the post-intervention tests. Consistent with our hypothesis, the study's findings indicate a reduction in the levels of stress, anxiety, global distress, and negative affect in the experimental group, compared to the control group. Moreover, the experimental group also showed higher levels of positive affect, compared to controls after the intervention. The present findings add to the current literature in suggesting that the BWM-T reduced stress not only when administered face-to face but also when administered online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, we also noted that the BWM-T has an effect on anxiety, global distress, and affect, which we had not investigated in previous studies.

School-Based Mind–Body Interventions: A Research Review

This paper contains a narrative review of the literature in the field of school-based mind–body interventions (MBIs). The aim of the current review is to verify whether the school-based MBI programs implemented in primary and secondary schools over the past 5 years are effective in helping schoolchildren cope with stress-related, behavioral, and affective issues, as well as improve stress response and school performance. All articles were retrieved using a number of databases. Inclusion criteria comprised qualitative and quantitative, English language, and peer-reviewed studies among third graders (8–9 years old) to twelfth graders (17–18 years old), including special needs pupils. Qualitative studies were limited to pupils’ experience only. Ten studies meeting the criteria for this review were assessed. The school-based interventions included yoga-based programs and mindfulness training. Evidence was evaluated and summarized. Across the reviewed studies, we found support for MBIs as part of school curricula to reduce negative effects of stress and promote overall well-being with caveats to consider in choosing specific programs. The practical implications of the current review include considerations related to the incorporation of MBIs in school curricula, which would likely benefit schoolchildren.

A mind-body intervention for stress reduction as an adjunct to an information session on stress management in university students

INTRODUCTION

This study describes the implementation of a mind-body intervention to reduce the perceived level of stress in a nonclinical group of university students. We used a novel approach including a single session of a mind-body technique known as the brain wave modulation (BWM) as an adjunct to a single information session on stress management.

METHODS

Three hundred and six students participated in the study. A quasi-experimental design was adopted: Students in the experimental group were exposed to an information session on stress management followed by a single session of the BWM, while the other students were exposed to the information session alone.

RESULTS

A 2 × 2 mixed factor analysis of variance demonstrated that the single session of the BWM was effective in reducing the perceived level of stress in the experimental group as compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

The BWM is a very easy-to-learn technique that presents certain advantages over traditional mind-body methods.

Efficacy of EMDR Therapy for Anxiety Disorders

Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigated the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for adults with anxiety disorders over a span of 20 years (1997–2017). Three RCTs focused on panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia (PDA); two studies targeted specific phobias, whereas the dependent variable of another RCT was “self-esteem,” considered as a mediator factor for anxiety disorders. In four RCTs, EMDR therapy demonstrated a positive effect on panic and phobic symptoms, whereas one RCT on PDA was partly negative and one study failed in improving self-esteem in patients with anxiety disorders. Considered as a whole, these preliminary data suggest EMDR therapy may be effective not only for PD but also for specific phobias. Further controlled studies are needed to corroborate these findings and also to systematically evaluate the efficacy of EMDR therapy for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and agoraphobia. Because cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is presently considered a first-line treatment for anxiety disorders, controlled comparisons between EMDR therapy and CBT would be especially useful in future investigations of EMDR treatment of anxiety disorders.

EMDR in the Treatment of Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia: A Case Description

The results of preliminary research investigating the application of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment in panic disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia suggests that reprocessing of past traumas produces significant reduction of anxiety and consequently, remission from panic attacks and avoidance behavior. This article describes the case study of a 30-year-old working professional where EMDR treatment, used to target early childhood traumas, led to reduction in symptoms of panic disorder with agoraphobia. Panic attacks diminished after 17 sessions of EMDR treatment, which followed Leeds’s treatment model. Treatment gains were maintained 5 years after termination. The study shows the value of solid preparation work, and of addressing the current triggers and recent events, before targeting historical traumas. EMDR worked as a first-line treatment to resolving the roots of the panic attacks, suggesting that the resolution of traumatic childhood memories can make a significant difference to current symptoms of panic disorder with agoraphobia.

EMDR and CBT: A Comparative Clinical Study With Oncological Patients

Research in clinical psycho-oncology is becoming an area of key importance in investigating the effects of the interventions of support and/or psychotherapy with patients. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) approach compared to a non–trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention. There were 11 male and 46 female participants, with mixed cancer diagnoses. Thirty-one subjects received EMDR therapy, and 26 received CBT for 12 sessions of 60 minutes each. The Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R), COPE inventory, and Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) were administered at three different times (T0, before intervention; T1, after the sixth session; and T2, after the 12th session); the Karnofsky Performance Status was administered at T0 only. In the EMDR group, a significant improvement was reported for the following 11 of the 17 dependent variables: COPE subscales, Avoidance Strategies and Positive Attitude; all three DTS subscales, Intrusion, Avoidance, and Hyperarousal; and 6 SCL-90-R subscales. In the CBT group, a significant improvement was reported for the following 4 of the 17 dependent variables: COPE subscales Positive Attitude and Transcendent Orientation; two DTS subscales, Intrusion, and Avoidance, with no improvement on any of the SCL-90-R subscales. This innovative study shows the value of trauma-focused treatment for patients with cancer and allows important preliminary suggestions on the usefulness of applying EMDR therapy in an oncological setting, although further research in this context is still needed.

EMDR and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Panic Disorder: A Comparison

A pilot comparison was made between two treatments for panic disorder, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Treatment was provided in the private practice settings of 7 credentialed therapists, whose treatment fidelity was monitored throughout the study. Five outcome measures were administered at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 1-year follow-up. There was significant improvement for participants in both groups (N = 19) after 12 sessions of treatment. No significant differences in outcome were seen between the 2 therapies, except for lower frequency of panic attacks reported by those in the EMDR group. The current study reanalyzed the data previously reported in Faretta (2012). Further research in this area is suggested.

EMDR Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Preliminary Research

This article reports the results of two experiments, each investigating a different eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) protocol for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and each with two young adult male participants with long-standing unremitting OCD. Two adaptations of Shapiro’s (2001) phobia protocol were developed, based on the theoretical view that OCD is a self-perpetuating disorder, with OCD compulsions and obsessions and current triggers reinforcing and maintaining the disorder. Both adaptations begin by addressing current obsessions and compulsions, instead of working on past memories; one strategy delays the cognitive installation phase; the other uses mental video playback in the desensitization of triggers. The four participants received 14–16 one-hour sessions, with no assigned homework. They were assessed with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), with scores at pretreatment in the extreme range (mean = 35.3). Symptom improvement was reported by participants after 2 or 3 sessions. Scores at posttreatment were in the subclinical/mild range for all participants (mean = 8.5). Follow-up assessments were conducted at 4–6 months, indicating maintenance of treatment effects (mean = 7.5). Symptom reduction was 70.4% at posttreatment and 76.1% at follow-up for the Adapted EMDR Phobia Protocol and 81.4% at posttreatment and at follow-up for the Adapted EMDR Phobia Protocol with Video Playback. Theoretical implications are discussed, and future research is recommended.

EMDR Treatment of Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: Two Model Treatment Plans

This article, condensed from Chapter 14 of A Guide to the Standard EMDR Protocols for Clinicians, Supervisors, and Consultants (Leeds, 2009), examines applying eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to treating individuals with panic disorder (PD) and PD with agoraphobia (PDA). The literature on effective treatments for PD and PDA is reviewed focusing on cognitive and behavioral therapies, pharmacotherapy, and EMDR. Case reports and controlled studies of EMDR treatment of PD and PDA are examined for lessons to guide EMDR clinicians. Two model EMDR treatment plans are presented: one for cases of simple PD without agoraphobia or other co-occurring disorders and the other for cases of PDA or PD with co-occurring anxiety or Axis II disorders. A more extensive literature discussion, detailed treatment guidelines, and client education resources can be found in the original chapter.

EMDR for Survivors of Life-Threatening Cardiac Events: Results of a Pilot Study

This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and concomitant depressive and anxiety symptoms in survivors of life-threatening cardiac events. Forty-two patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation who (a) qualified for the PTSD criterion “A” in relation to a cardiac event and (b) presented clinically significant PTSD symptoms were randomized to a 4-week treatment of EMDR or imaginal exposure (IE). Data were gathered on PTSD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6-month follow-up. EMDR was effective in reducing PTSD, depressive, and anxiety symptoms and performed significantly better than IE for all variables. These findings provide preliminary support for EMDR as an effective treatment for the symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety that can follow a life-threatening cardiac event.

A Pilot Study of Concentrated EMDR: A Brief Report

The current research used a quantitative single-case study design to investigate the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for a participant diagnosed with comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD), severe without psychotic features, and panic disorder with agoraphobia. Treatment frequency was three sessions per week, with twelve 90-minute reprocessing sessions provided over a period of 1 month; the study also evaluated this application of “concentrated EMDR.” At baseline, mean scores on the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were 49 and 38, and at 3-month follow-up, the scores had decreased to 8 and 7 respectively. The results of this pilot study indicate that concentrated EMDR may be effective in treating comorbid MDD and panic disorder with agoraphobia. The study also evaluated the application of concentrated EMDR, with treatment frequency increased from one session to three sessions per week. Twelve 90-minute reprocessing sessions were provided over a period of 1 month. Results show the apparent effectiveness of concentrated EMDR.