Leer A, Engelhard IM. Side effects of induced lateral eye movements during aversive ideation.
J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2020;
68:101566. [PMID:
32179237 DOI:
10.1016/j.jbtep.2020.101566]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. It uses a dual-task approach, in which patients recall an aversive memory while making lateral eye movements. Research has shown that this 'eye movements' intervention reduces subjective memory vividness and emotionality. This study examined whether it also reduces memory accuracy on a visual discrimination task.
METHODS
Participants (68 undergraduates) underwent an aversive conditioning phase, in which two pictures of male faces were followed by shock. Then they recalled one face with (experimental condition) and one without (control condition) making lateral eye movements. Finally, they completed a stimulus discrimination test with slightly different faces shortly after the intervention and one day later.
RESULTS
Results showed that the eye movements intervention led to increased false-positive rates one day later.
LIMITATIONS
Our intervention targeted newly formed memory rather than consolidated memory.
CONCLUSIONS
The results inform theory about EMDR's mechanisms of change and suggest that the treatment may have side effects regarding memory accuracy.
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