THE EMPIRICAL STATUS OF THE CLINICAL-APPLICATION OF EYE-MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING

The published reports of the clinical application of eye movement dese nsitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are reviewed in terms of empirical validity. Case studies, single-subject experiments and group design e xperiments on clinical problems are evaluated for the effectiveness of the protocol, component effects, comparative effects and treatment fi delity. Classification of disorders and measurement issues are address ed. The protocol frequently reduces verbal report and independent obse rver ratings of distress - strikingly in some instances. Psychophysiol ogic measures show little effect of treatment. There is little empiric al evidence to indicate the effect of treatment on motoric or behavior al indices. Eye movements do not appear to be an essential component o f treatment, and there have been no substantial comparisons with other treatments. No studies have adequately controlled for nonspecific (pl acebo) effects of treatment. Suggestions are made for applying improve d methodological controls for future applications of EMDR to clinical disorders.