In my last series of posts, I explained the rationale behind EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). In order to be balanced, and also to model critical thinking, in this post I will discuss some objective outcome studies and criticisms of EMDR.
According to an article in Scientific American, called “EMDR: Taking a Closer Look,” there doesn’t appear to be agreement as to how EMDR works. Yes, as I described a few weeks back, Francine Shapiro discovered that back and forth eye movements seemed to help with traumatic memories or disturbing thoughts. And she tried it out on many people and it helped. However, beyond establishing a correlation, she never did really explain exactly HOW. Why is it that back and forth eye movements “resolve” trauma?
Distraction, relaxation, and synchronization of the brain’s two hemispheres have all emerged as possibilities. However, if the experts cannot agree on how it works, how do we know what is really happening? How do we know which element(s) of the process are effective? If we knew exactly what was happening, perhaps we could improve on the methodology; or even isolate that element and combine it with other forms of therapy for further benefits.
The other issue with the use of EMDR is that it was originally developed for trauma. However, therapists are using it for all sorts of things, including depression, eating disorders, and even schizophrenia. Perhaps if we knew more about exactly how it worked, we could be more purposeful and judicious about generalization.
Outcome Studies
According to this article, extensive studies show EMDR works better than nothing. And, although there is less data, it appears to work better than supportive listening. However, it works about the same as cognitive behavior or behavior therapies, which utilize exposure. This may suggest that the benefits are due to the (imagined) exposure, rather than the eye movements, contrary to what most EMDR therapists will tell you. More specifically, according to the article, “researchers have found scant evidence that the eye movements of EMDR are contributing anything to its effectiveness.”
Another article from The Skeptics Dictionary, “EMDR,” is even more pessimistic about the role of eye movement in processing trauma: “It has not been established beyond a reasonable doubt by any controlled studies that any positive effects achieved by an EMDR therapist’s eye movement techniques are not likely due to chance, the placebo effect, patient expectancy, posthypnotic suggestion, other aspects of the treatments besides the eye movement aspect, etc.”
This is disturbing in light of the fact that eye movements are the centerpiece of EMDR.
In summary, EMDR appears to be effective, but not fully understood.
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Dr. Barbara LoFrisco
