EMDR Therapy Mechanism of Action II.
Tracks
South Hall 3 ( C ) | Room 4
| Saturday, May 31, 2025 |
| 11:30 - 12:30 |
Speaker
Mr. Gaspar de La Serna
Private MD and psychotherapist
Dr. de La Serna's Private Psychotherapy Clinic
Stimulus vs. Eye Movement: Unraveling the Key Factor in EMDR Visual Modality
11:30 - 12:00Abstract
Authors
Gaspar de La Serna1
1Dr. de La Serna's Psychotherapy Clinic, Río Eume, 13, 15179 Oleiros (La Coruña), Spain
Background and Aims
It has been traditionally assumed that eye movement is the critical
factor in the visual stimulation modality of EMDR [1]. However, in the auditory and tactile modalities no movement is required [2], prompting the question into whether the visual stimulus itself might also be the essential component. This clinical study was designed to address this hypothesis.
Methods
A randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing an experimental group, which maintained a fixed gaze while the therapist moved their hand in the usual manner within the subject's visual field (n = 14; 60 targets), with a control group treated using the standard protocol (n = 14; 55 targets).
Results
Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences between groups in SUD, VoC,or bodily sensations (see Figure).
Conclusions
The findings suggest that the true critical factor triggering the functioning of EMDR is the visual stimulus itself, which has historically been overshadowed by eye movement component. This discovery broadens the applicability of visual stimulation to patients who struggle with eye-tracking
Learning objectives
1. Understand the distinction between the critical role of visual stimulus and eye movement in EMDR therapy.
2. Evaluate the methodology, outcomes, efficacy and feasibility of a fixed gaze protocol that maintains the traditional visual stimulation as an alternative to the standard EMDR eye movement procedure.
3. Explore how the findings of this study enable the application of EMDR visual stimulation for patients who struggle with eye-tracking.
References
[1] Solomon, R. M., & Shapiro, F. (2008). EMDR and the adaptive information processing model: Potential mechanisms of change. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(4), 315–325.
[2] Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press
Gaspar de La Serna1
1Dr. de La Serna's Psychotherapy Clinic, Río Eume, 13, 15179 Oleiros (La Coruña), Spain
Background and Aims
It has been traditionally assumed that eye movement is the critical
factor in the visual stimulation modality of EMDR [1]. However, in the auditory and tactile modalities no movement is required [2], prompting the question into whether the visual stimulus itself might also be the essential component. This clinical study was designed to address this hypothesis.
Methods
A randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing an experimental group, which maintained a fixed gaze while the therapist moved their hand in the usual manner within the subject's visual field (n = 14; 60 targets), with a control group treated using the standard protocol (n = 14; 55 targets).
Results
Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences between groups in SUD, VoC,or bodily sensations (see Figure).
Conclusions
The findings suggest that the true critical factor triggering the functioning of EMDR is the visual stimulus itself, which has historically been overshadowed by eye movement component. This discovery broadens the applicability of visual stimulation to patients who struggle with eye-tracking
Learning objectives
1. Understand the distinction between the critical role of visual stimulus and eye movement in EMDR therapy.
2. Evaluate the methodology, outcomes, efficacy and feasibility of a fixed gaze protocol that maintains the traditional visual stimulation as an alternative to the standard EMDR eye movement procedure.
3. Explore how the findings of this study enable the application of EMDR visual stimulation for patients who struggle with eye-tracking.
References
[1] Solomon, R. M., & Shapiro, F. (2008). EMDR and the adaptive information processing model: Potential mechanisms of change. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(4), 315–325.
[2] Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press
Ms. Miho Yamauchi
National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center
Effects of bilateral alternating sound stimulation on healthy subjects
12:00 - 12:30Abstract
Authors
Miho Yamauchi1,
Masaya Ichii2,
Masafumi Ihara1
1National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibeshinmachi, Suita, 564-8565, Japan
2Hyogo University of Teacher Education, 942-1, Shimokume, Kato, Hyogo, 673-1494, Japan
Background
The neurological effects of bilateral alternating stimulation in EMDR
therapy are not yet fully understood. Although eye movements are often used for bilateral alternating stimulation during EMDR therapy sessions, we hypothesized that auditory stimuli might be easier to use for people who have difficulty with eye movements, such as people with physical disabilities, the elderly, and young children.
Aims
The aim of this study was to investigate how bilateral alternating sound stimulation affects brain activity in healthy subjects.
Methods
Twenty-one healthy young people (mean 24.5 years, 10 men) participated in the functional MRI experiment. Participants were scanned while looking at stimulus images (disgust and neutral images). Auditory stimuli were presented in accordance with the images.
Results
Disgust images induced greater activity in the occipital lobe compared to neutral images. In the disgust and neutral picture comparison conditions, interaction analysis of auditory stimuli showed differences in activity in the left and right thalamus, right hippocampus, and right amygdala.
Conclusions
The amygdala is the center of emotion and is involved in feelings of anxiety
and fear. Boukezzi (2017) reported that bilateral alternating auditory stimulation reduced fear responses [1]. In this study, bilateral stimulation of sound was shown to alter the activity of the amygdala. These results suggest that bilateral auditory stimulation during EMDR therapy sessions may contribute to the control of anxiety and may be useful for clients with difficulty in moving eyes.
Learning Objectives
1. General opinion of bilateral alternating stimulation in EMDR therapy.
2. The effect of bilateral alternating stimulation on the brain's neural network.
3. How bilateral alternating auditory stimulation helps clients?
References
[1] S. Boukezzi et al. (2017). Bilateral alternating auditory stimulations facilitate fear extinction and retrieval. Frontiers in Psychology, 8: 990.
Miho Yamauchi1,
Masaya Ichii2,
Masafumi Ihara1
1National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibeshinmachi, Suita, 564-8565, Japan
2Hyogo University of Teacher Education, 942-1, Shimokume, Kato, Hyogo, 673-1494, Japan
Background
The neurological effects of bilateral alternating stimulation in EMDR
therapy are not yet fully understood. Although eye movements are often used for bilateral alternating stimulation during EMDR therapy sessions, we hypothesized that auditory stimuli might be easier to use for people who have difficulty with eye movements, such as people with physical disabilities, the elderly, and young children.
Aims
The aim of this study was to investigate how bilateral alternating sound stimulation affects brain activity in healthy subjects.
Methods
Twenty-one healthy young people (mean 24.5 years, 10 men) participated in the functional MRI experiment. Participants were scanned while looking at stimulus images (disgust and neutral images). Auditory stimuli were presented in accordance with the images.
Results
Disgust images induced greater activity in the occipital lobe compared to neutral images. In the disgust and neutral picture comparison conditions, interaction analysis of auditory stimuli showed differences in activity in the left and right thalamus, right hippocampus, and right amygdala.
Conclusions
The amygdala is the center of emotion and is involved in feelings of anxiety
and fear. Boukezzi (2017) reported that bilateral alternating auditory stimulation reduced fear responses [1]. In this study, bilateral stimulation of sound was shown to alter the activity of the amygdala. These results suggest that bilateral auditory stimulation during EMDR therapy sessions may contribute to the control of anxiety and may be useful for clients with difficulty in moving eyes.
Learning Objectives
1. General opinion of bilateral alternating stimulation in EMDR therapy.
2. The effect of bilateral alternating stimulation on the brain's neural network.
3. How bilateral alternating auditory stimulation helps clients?
References
[1] S. Boukezzi et al. (2017). Bilateral alternating auditory stimulations facilitate fear extinction and retrieval. Frontiers in Psychology, 8: 990.
