Can working memory account for EMDR efficacy in PTSD?
Abstract Background: Although eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of PTSD for years, it remains controversial due to the lack of understanding of its mechanisms of action. We examined whether the working memory (WM) hypothesis –the com...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-11-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00951-0 |
| _version_ | 1798044379331428352 |
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| author | Dany Laure Wadji C. Martin-Soelch V. Camos |
| author_facet | Dany Laure Wadji C. Martin-Soelch V. Camos |
| author_sort | Dany Laure Wadji |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background: Although eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of PTSD for years, it remains controversial due to the lack of understanding of its mechanisms of action. We examined whether the working memory (WM) hypothesis –the competition for limited WM resources induced by the dual task attenuates the vividness and emotionality of the traumatic memory – would provide an explanation for the beneficial effect induced by bilateral stimulation. Methods: We followed the Prisma guidelines and identified 11 articles categorized in two types of designs: studies involving participants with current PTSD symptoms and participants without PTSD diagnosis. Results: Regardless of the types of studies, the results showed a reduction of vividness and emotionality in the recall of traumatic stimuli under a dual-task condition compared to a control condition, such as recall alone. However, two studies used a follow-up test to show that this effect does not seem to last long. Conclusion: Our results provide evidence for the WM hypothesis and suggest that recalling a traumatic memory while performing a secondary task would shift the individual’s attention away from the retrieval process and result in a reduction in vividness and emotionality, also associated with the reduction of symptoms. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T23:02:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9fc0942fd6fa4558be482ba1d85df318 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T23:02:51Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-9fc0942fd6fa4558be482ba1d85df3182022-12-22T03:58:06ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832022-11-0110111210.1186/s40359-022-00951-0Can working memory account for EMDR efficacy in PTSD?Dany Laure Wadji0C. Martin-Soelch1V. Camos2I-Reach Lab, Unit of Clinical and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of FribourgI-Reach Lab, Unit of Clinical and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of FribourgW-MOVE (Working meMOry deVElopment) lab, Department of Psychology, University of FribourgAbstract Background: Although eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of PTSD for years, it remains controversial due to the lack of understanding of its mechanisms of action. We examined whether the working memory (WM) hypothesis –the competition for limited WM resources induced by the dual task attenuates the vividness and emotionality of the traumatic memory – would provide an explanation for the beneficial effect induced by bilateral stimulation. Methods: We followed the Prisma guidelines and identified 11 articles categorized in two types of designs: studies involving participants with current PTSD symptoms and participants without PTSD diagnosis. Results: Regardless of the types of studies, the results showed a reduction of vividness and emotionality in the recall of traumatic stimuli under a dual-task condition compared to a control condition, such as recall alone. However, two studies used a follow-up test to show that this effect does not seem to last long. Conclusion: Our results provide evidence for the WM hypothesis and suggest that recalling a traumatic memory while performing a secondary task would shift the individual’s attention away from the retrieval process and result in a reduction in vividness and emotionality, also associated with the reduction of symptoms.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00951-0Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Working memoryDual taxationEye movementBilateral stimulation |
| spellingShingle | Dany Laure Wadji C. Martin-Soelch V. Camos Can working memory account for EMDR efficacy in PTSD? BMC Psychology Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Working memory Dual taxation Eye movement Bilateral stimulation |
| title | Can working memory account for EMDR efficacy in PTSD? |
| title_full | Can working memory account for EMDR efficacy in PTSD? |
| title_fullStr | Can working memory account for EMDR efficacy in PTSD? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Can working memory account for EMDR efficacy in PTSD? |
| title_short | Can working memory account for EMDR efficacy in PTSD? |
| title_sort | can working memory account for emdr efficacy in ptsd |
| topic | Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Working memory Dual taxation Eye movement Bilateral stimulation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00951-0 |
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