Abstract
This study aimed to objectivize the quality of smooth pursuit eye movements in a standard laboratory task before and after an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) session run on seven healthy volunteers. EMDR was applied on autobiographic worries causing moderate distress. The EMDR session was complete in 5 out of the 7 cases; distress measured by SUDS (Subjective Units of Discomfort Scale) decreased to a near zero value. Smooth pursuit eye movements were recorded by an Eyelink II video system before and after EMDR. For the five complete sessions, pursuit eye movement improved after their EMDR session. Notably, the number of saccade intrusions—catch-up saccades (CUS)—decreased and, reciprocally, there was an increase in the smooth components of the pursuit. Such an increase in the smoothness of the pursuit presumably reflects an improvement in the use of visual attention needed to follow the target accurately. Perhaps EMDR reduces distress thereby activating a cholinergic effect known to improve ocular pursuit.
Highlights
Research on EMDR treatment – role of eye movements Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy which is intended to treat anxiety, stress and trauma
No noticeable changes could be observed for S2 and S3 whose SUD remained high after EMDR; subject S3 having highest SUD and lower VOC prior to the EMDR session and persisting high SUD after the EMDR session, her results were not included in the statistical group analysis
The study aimed to objectivize the quality of smooth pursuit eye movements in a standard laboratory task before and after EMDR session
Summary
Research on EMDR treatment – role of eye movements Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapy which is intended to treat anxiety, stress and trauma. It was developed by Francine Shapiro [1]. We will emphasize that the therapist’s continuous hand movement is typically done so as to stimulate the smooth pursuit eye movement physiological system. Such movements differ from saccades which are the rapid eye movements used to refoveate targets presented at distinct positions. Returning to the EMDR protocol, after each set the patient is asked what associative information was elicited during the procedure
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