EMDR Effectiveness: Science References
EMDR Effectiveness by Symptom
EMDR for Anxiety
Yunitri, N., et al. (2020). The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing toward anxiety disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 123, 102-113. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.01.004
Valiente-Gómez, A., et al. (2017). EMDR beyond PTSD: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1668. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01668
Shapiro, F., & Maxfield, L. (2002). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Information processing in the treatment of trauma. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(8), 933-946. doi: 10.1002/jclp.10068
EMDR for Depression
Hofmann, A., & Scheck, T. (2015). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in the treatment of depression: A pilot study. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 9(1), 23-29. doi: 10.1891/1933-3196.9.1.23
Sepehry, A. A., Lam, K., Sheppard, M., Guirguis-Younger, M., & Maglio, A.-S. (2021). EMDR for Depression: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 15(1), 2–17.
Carletto, S., Ostacoli, L., Colombi, N., Calorio, L., Oliva, F., Fernandez, I., & Hofmann, A. (2017). EMDR for depression: A systematic review of controlled trials. Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 14(5), 306-312.
Seok, J.-W., & Kim, J. (2024). The efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment for depression: A meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(18), 5633.
Yan, S., Shan, Y., Zhong, S., Miao, H., Luo, Y., Ran, H., & Jia, Y. (2021). The effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing toward adults with major depressive disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 700458.
Carletto, S., Malandrone, F., Berchialla, P., Oliva, F., Colombi, N., Hase, M., & Ostacoli, L. (2021). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), 1894736
EMDR for PTSD
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs & U.S. Department of Defense. (2023). VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder. Version 4.0. https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/MH/ptsd/VA-DoD-CPG-PTSD-Full-CPG-Edited-11162024.pdf
Beauvais, D., McCarthy, E., Norman, S., & Hamblen, J. L. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for PTSD. United States Department of Veteran Affairs, National Center for PTSD. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/emdr_pro.asp.
Hurley, E. C. (2018). Effective Treatment of Veterans With PTSD: Comparison Between Intensive Daily and Weekly EMDR Approaches. Front Psychol. Aug 24; 9:1458. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01458. PMID: 30197612; PMCID: PMC6117416.
Cuijpers, P., Veen, S. C. V., Sijbrandij, M., Yoder, W., & Cristea, I. A. (2020). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for mental health problems: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cogn Behav Ther. May; 49(3):165-180. doi: 10.1080/16506073.2019.1703801. PMID: 32043428.
EMDR for Sleep Disturbances
Fernandez, I., & Faretta, E. (2007). EMDR and Hypnosis: Effective Treatments for Sleep Disorders. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 1(4), 234–240.
Stickgold, R. (2008). Sleep-Dependent Memory Processing and EMDR Action. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(4), 289–299. doi: 10.1891/1933-3196.2.4.289
Raboni, M. R., Tufik, S., & Suchecki, D. (2006). Treatments for PTSD and Sleep Disturbances. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 12(1), 149–154.
Levin, P., & Nielsen, T. A. (2009). Nightmares, Bad Dreams, and EMDR. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 3(3), 123–130.
EMDR for Traumatic Grief and Loss
Sprang, G. (2001). The use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of traumatic loss. Traumatology, 7(1), 6-12. doi: 10.1177/153476560100700102
Solomon, R. M., & Rando, T. A. (2007). Utilization of EMDR in the treatment of grief and mourning. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 1(2), 109-117. doi: 10.1891/1933-3196.1.2.109
EMDR for Chronic Pain
Grant, M., & Threlfo, C. (2002). EMDR in the treatment of chronic pain. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(12), 1505-1520. doi: 10.1002/jclp.10101
EMDR for Migraines
Marcus, F. (2008). The effect of EMDR on patients with chronic pain. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(3), 199-200. doi: 10.1891/1933-3196.2.3.199
EMDR for Phobias
de Jongh, A., Holmshaw, M., Carswell, W., & van Wijk, A. (2011). Usefulness of a trauma-focused treatment approach for travel phobia: A controlled study. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49(4), 202-207. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2011.01.001
EMDR for Physical Injuries
Fernandez, I., & Faretta, E. (2007). EMDR and cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of panic disorder: A comparison. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 1(1), 3-11. doi: 10.1891/1933-3196.1.1.3
EMDR for Generalized Panic Attacks
Gauvreau, P., & Bouchard, S. (2008). Preliminary evidence for the efficacy of EMDR in treating generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(1), 26-40. doi: 10.1891/1933-3196.2.1.26
EMDR for Addictions
Zaccagnino, M., & Cussino, M. (2013). EMDR and the treatment of substance use disorder: A clinical case series. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 7(3), 146-156. doi: 10.1891/1933-3196.7.3.146
EMDR for Childhood Abuse and Neglect
Soberman, G. B., Greenwald, R., & Rule, D. (2002). A controlled study of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for boys with conduct problems. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 6(1), 217-236. doi: 10.1300/J146v06n01_11
EMDR for Terror-Related Trauma
Brown, S., & Shapiro, F. (1998). EMDR in the treatment of borderline personality disorder. Clinical Case Studies, 7(5), 406-423. doi: 10.1177/1534650108327410
EMDR for Phantom Pain
Schneider, J., Hofmann, A., Rost, C., & Shapiro, F. (2008). EMDR in the treatment of chronic phantom limb pain. Pain Medicine, 9(1), 76-82. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2007.00299.x
EMDR for Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms
van Rood, Y. R., & de Roos, C. (2009). EMDR in the treatment of medically unexplained symptoms: A systematic review. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 3(4), 248-263. doi: 10.1891/1933-3196.3.4.248
EMDR for Fear Disorders
Baek, J., Shim, W., Jeong, J., & Kang, D. (2019). Neural circuits underlying a psychotherapeutic regimen for fear disorders: Insights from eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 154. https://www.emdr.nl/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Baek-et-al-2019-Neural-circuits-underlying-a-psychotherapeutic-regimen-for-fear-disorders.pdf
Self-Administered EMDR Effectiveness
Spence, J., Titov, N., Johnston, L., Dear, B. F., Wootton, B., Terides, M., Zou, J. (2013). Internet-delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (iEMDR): An open trial. F1000Res., 2:79. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.2-79.v2. PMID: 24555047; PMCID: PMC3901444.
Maxfield, L. (2021). Low-intensity interventions and EMDR therapy. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 15(2), 86–98. doi: 10.1891/EMDR-D-21-00009.
Karadag, M., Topal, Z., Ezer, R. N., & Gokcen, C. (2021). Use of EMDR-derived self-help intervention in children in the period of COVID-19: A randomized-controlled study. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 15(2), 114–126.
Moench, J., & Billsten, O. (2021). Randomized controlled trial: Self-care traumatic episode protocol, computerized EMDR treatment of COVID-19-related stress. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 15(2), 99–113. doi: 10.1891/EMDR-D-20-00047.