EYE-MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING IN POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER - A PILOT-STUDY USING ASSESSMENT MEASURES

Spectacular claims have been made regarding the efficacy of eye moveme nt desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of Posttra umatic stress disorder (PTSD), but almost entirely on the basis of pat ients' reports and without objective criteria. This study reports on t he treatment of eight patients with a diagnosis of PTSD who received E MDR treatment over four sessions. Assessment measures included two str uctured interviews, three self-report inventories, and the electromyog ram (EMG). Assessments were conducted pre and posttreatment, and at 3- month follow-up. Despite some residual pathology at posttreatment and follow-up, significant improvements were obtained on all measures and across all PTSD symptom clusters. Compared with other treatments of PT SD, change was achieved in far fewer sessions.