RECENT ARTICLES on EMDR

This study was conducted in the United Kingdom at two major conferences to examine how therapists (N = 83) integrated eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) into their clinical practice. Data from a mixed methodology suggests that up to 40% of the sample experienced difficulties post-EMDR training. Results indicated that analytically trained and humanistic therapists experienced significantly more difficulties in integrating EMDR into the current clinical practice than integrative or cognitive behavioral clinicians. This study also ascertained that EMDR clinicians experienced workplace difficulties and challenges. Consideration is given to how the study findings may have implications for both the teaching and learning of EMDR and workplace issues. Eckert, A. (2011). "Zimmer mit aussicht“: Erinnern als unverzichtbares therapeutisches element. / “Room with a view”: Remembrance as indispensable therapeutic element. Forum Der Psychoanalyse: Zeitschrift Für Klinische Theorie & Praxis. doi:10.1007/s00451-011-0079-3 Andrea Eckert: Klinik fur Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Klinikum Harlaching, Sanatoriumsplatz 2, Munchen, Germany, 81545. E-mail: ABSTRACT I address the reconstruction of the traumatic event as an indispensable phase in the therapy of traumatized patients. Reconstruction that results in integration covers both external and internal reality which are in equal measure not easily approachable. Reconstruction is seen as a process that needs an adjustment of the setting. Case histories show psychotherapeutic reconstructive work with inpatients with the aid of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). RECENT ARTICLES on EMDR BY ANDREW M. LEEDS, PH.D.I address the reconstruction of the traumatic event as an indispensable phase in the therapy of traumatized patients. Reconstruction that results in integration covers both external and internal reality which are in equal measure not easily approachable. Reconstruction is seen as a process that needs an adjustment of the setting. Case histories show psychotherapeutic reconstructive work with inpatients with the aid of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). RECENT ARTICLES on EMDR BY ANDREW M. LEEDS, PH.D. This regular column appears in each quarterly issue of the EMDRIA Newsletter and the EMDR Europe Newsletter. It lists citations, abstracts, and preprint/reprint information—when available—on all EMDR related journal articles. The listings include peer reviewed research reports and case studies directly related to EMDR—whether favorable or not—including original studies, review articles and meta-analyses accepted for publication or that have appeared in the previous six months in scholarly journals. Authors and others aware of articles accepted for publication are invited to submit pre-press or reprint information. Listings in this column will exclude: published comments and most letters to the editor, non-peer reviewed articles, non-English articles unless the abstract is in English, dissertations, and conference presentations, as well as books, book chapters, tapes, CDs, and videos. Please send submissions and corrections to: [email protected]. Note: A comprehensive database of all EMDR references from journal articles, dissertations, book chapters, and conference presentations is available in The Francine Shapiro Library hosted by Northern Kentucky University as a service to the EMDR International Association at: http:// library.nku.edu/emdr/emdr_data.php. A listing by year of publication of all journal articles related to EMDR from 1989 through 2005 can be found on David Baldwin's award winning web site at: http://www.trauma-pages.com/s/emdr-refs.php. Previous columns from 2005 to the present are available on the EMDRIA web site at: http://emdria.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr;=43. Field, A., & Cottrell, D. (2011). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing as a therapeutic intervention for traumatized children and adolescents: A systematic review of the evidence for family therapists. Journal of Family Therapy, 33(4), 374-388. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6427.2011.00548.x Annalisa Field, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist East Leeds Child and Family Unit, St James' Hospital, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK. E-mail: ABSTRACT Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new form of psychotherapy for posttraumatic symptoms of relevance to systemic therapists. The literature available on individual EMDR in traumatized children is reviewed in this article. A sample of eight studies was examined, consisting of three controlled trials, two uncontrolled studies and three case reports or series. The controlled trials compared EMDR with waiting list controls or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The study samples were small and their methodological quality variable. In all the studies, the results suggested a positive effect for EMDR but did not appear superior to CBT. It is therefore possible that systemic interventions may be improved by the integration of EMDR and family therapy with children and adolescents.Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new form of psychotherapy for posttraumatic symptoms of relevance to systemic therapists. The literature available on individual EMDR in traumatized children is reviewed in this article. A sample of eight studies was examined, consisting of three controlled trials, two uncontrolled studies and three case reports or series. The controlled trials compared EMDR with waiting list controls or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The study samples were small and their methodological quality variable. In all the studies, the results suggested a positive effect for EMDR but did not appear superior to CBT. It is therefore possible that systemic interventions may be improved by the integration of EMDR and family therapy with children and adolescents. Hornsveld, H. K., Houtveen, J. H., Vroomen, M., Aalbers, I. K. D., Aalbers, D., & van den Hout, M. A. (2011). Evaluating the effect of eye movements on positive memories such as those used in resource development and installation. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 5(4), 146-155. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.5.4.146 Hellen K. Hornsveld, Utrecht University, Clinical and Health Psychology, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands. E-mail: ABSTRACT Resource development and installation (RDI) is an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-related procedure developed to strengthen positive associations in positive and resourceful memories (Korn & Leeds, 2002). This study tested the assumption that bilateral stimulation (horizontal eye movements [EM]) in RDI “appears to lead to spontaneous, rapid increases in affective intensity . . . and to rich, emotionally vivid associations”Resource development and installation (RDI) is an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-related procedure developed to strengthen positive associations in positive and resourceful memories (Korn & Leeds, 2002). This study tested the assumption that bilateral stimulation (horizontal eye movements [EM]) in RDI “appears to lead to spontaneous, rapid increases in affective intensity . . . and to rich, emotionally vivid associations” (Korn & Leeds, p. 1469). This study also tested whether eye movement effects could be better accounted for by working memory or by interhemispheric interaction theory. Fifty-three undergraduate students each recalled three memories of pride, perseverance, and self-confidence. They provided pretest and posttest ratings of each memory for vividness, pleasantness, and experienced strength of the positive quality, before and after performing three simultaneous tasks during recall: horizontal EM, vertical EM, and recall only. Results were fully in line with working memory predictions, with significant decreases for all variables following both eye movement tasks. There was no support for the interhemispheric hypothesis. It is concluded that the effectiveness of bilateral stimulation in RDI is questionable. Clinical implications are discussed. Jarero, I., & Uribe, S. (2011). The EMDR protocol for recent critical incidents: Brief report of an application in a human massacre situation. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 5(4), 156-165. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.5.4.156 Ignacio Jarero, Boulevar de la Luz 771. Jardines del Pedregal. Álvaro Obregón, México City, 01900. E-mail: ABSTRACT This ongoing field study was conducted subsequent to the discovery of clandestine graves with 218 bodies recovered in the Mexican state of Durango in April 2011. A preliminary psychometric assessment was conducted with the 60 State Attorney General employees who were working with the corpses to establish a triage criterion and provide baseline measures. The Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the short posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rating interview were administered, and the 32 individuals whose scores indicated moderate-to-severe posttraumatic stress and PTSD symptoms were treated with the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) Protocol for Recent Critical Incidents (EMDR-PRECI). Participants were assigned to two groups: immediate treatment (severe scores) and waitlist/delayed treatment (moderate scores). Each individual client session lasted between 90 and 120 minutes. Results showed that one session of EMDR-PRECI produced significant improvement on self-report measures of posttraumatic stress and PTSD symptoms for both the immediate treatment and waitlist/delayed treatment groups. This study provides preliminary evidence in support of the protocol's efficacy in a natural setting of a human massacre situation to a group of traumatized adults working under extreme stressors. More controlled research is recommended to evaluate further the protocol's efficacy.This ongoing field study was conducted subsequent to the discovery of clandestine graves with 218 bodies recovered in the Mexican state of Durango in April 2011. A preliminary psychometric assessment was conducted with the 60 State Attorney General employees who were working with the corpses to establish a triage criterion and provide baseline measures. The Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the short posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rating interview were administered, and the 32 individuals whose scores indicated moderate-to-severe posttraumatic stress and PTSD symptoms were treated with the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) Protocol for Recent Critical Incidents (EMDR-PRECI). Participants were assigned to two groups: immediate treatment (severe scores) and waitlist/delayed treatment (moderate scores). Each individual client session lasted between 90 and 120 minutes. Results showed that one session of EMDR-PRECI produced significant improvement on self-report measures of posttraumatic stress and PTSD symptoms for both the immediate treatment and waitlist/delayed treatment groups. This study provides preliminary evidence in support of the protocol's efficacy in a natural setting of a human massacre situation to a group of traumatized adults working under extreme stressors. More controlled research is recommended to evaluate further the protocol's efficacy. Konuk, E., Epozdemir, H., Haciomeroglu Atceken, S., Aydin, Y. E., & Yurtsever, A. (2011). EMDR treatment of migraine. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 5(4), 166-176. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.5.4.166 Hejan Epözdemir, Adult and Family Center, Institute for Behavioral Studies, Valikonagi 173 Kat: 6/2 Nisantasi, 34363, Istanbul, Turkey. E-mail: ABSTRACT This pilot study was conducted at Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital, Istanbul, to investigate the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) on migraine headache by specifically treating traumas related to headaches. The sample consisted of 11 Turkish participants with chronic daily headache: 9 women (mean age of 31.7 years) and 2 men (mean age of 30.5 years). Participants had a history of migraine ranging from 2 to 30 years (mean = 12 years). Variables included participant daily ratings of headache frequency, duration, and intensity; medication intake; hospital emergency room (ER) visits; and scores on the Symptom Assessment-45 Questionnaire. The results showed a significant decrease in headache frequency and duration with no reduction in pain intensity. There was a significant decrease in the use of painkillers and ER visits. All results were maintained at 3-month follow-up, providing some preliminary evidence that EMDR may be effective and useful as an alternative treatment for migraine.This pilot study was conducted at Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital, Istanbul, to investigate the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) on migraine headache by specifically treating traumas related to headaches. The sample consisted of 11 Turkish participants with chronic daily headache: 9 women (mean age of 31.7 years) and 2 men (mean age of 30.5 years). Participants had a history of migraine ranging from 2 to 30 years (mean = 12 years). Variables included participant daily ratings of headache frequency, duration, and intensity; medication intake; hospital emergency room (ER) visits; and scores on the Symptom Assessment-45 Questionnaire. The results showed a significant decrease in headache frequency and duration with no reduction in pain intensity. There was a significant decrease in the use of painkillers and ER visits. All results were maintained at 3-month follow-up, providing some preliminary evidence that EMDR may be effective and useful as an alternative treatment for migraine. Leiner, A. S., Kearns, M. C., Jackson, J. L., Astin, M. C., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2012). Avoidant coping and treatment outcome in rape-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. doi:10.1037/ a0026814 [Epub ahead of print] Barbara O. Rothbaum, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, 1256 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30306. E-mail: ABSTRACT Objective: This study investigated the impact of avoidant coping on treatment outcome in rape-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method: Adult women with rape-related PTSD (N = 62) received 9 sessions of prolonged exposure (PE) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). The mean age for the sample was 34.7 years, and race or ethnicity was reported as 67.7% Caucasian, 25.8% African American, 3.2% Latina, and 3.2% other. PTSD was assessed with the PTSDObjective: This study investigated the impact of avoidant coping on treatment outcome in rape-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Method: Adult women with rape-related PTSD (N = 62) received 9 sessions of prolonged exposure (PE) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). The mean age for the sample was 34.7 years, and race or ethnicity was reported as 67.7% Caucasian, 25.8% African American, 3.2% Latina, and 3.2% other. PTSD was assessed with the PTSD Barry Litt, MFT EMDRIA Approved Consultant AAMFT Approved Supervisor