Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): A meta-analysis

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), a controversial treat ment suggested for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other condition s, was evaluated in a meta-analysis of 34 studies that examined EMDR with a variety of populations and measures. Process and outcome measures were exa mined separately, and EMDR showed an effect on both when compared with no t reatment and with therapies not using exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli and in pre-post EMDR comparisons. However, no significant effect was found when EMDR was compared with other exposure techniques. No incremental effe ct of eye movements was noted when EMDR was compared with the same procedur e without them. R. J. DeRubeis and P. Crits-Christoph (1998) noted that EMD R is a potentially effective treatment for noncombat PTSD, but studies that examined such patient groups did not give clear support to this. In sum, E MDR appears to be no more effective than other exposure techniques, and evi dence suggests that the eye movements integral to the treatment, and to its name, are unnecessary.