Menu
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Healthy Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Diets & Nutrition - Food Safety
    Nutrition
    healthy nutrition
    Recipes
    healthy recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    herbal remedies - herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    suppliments & remedies
    Vitamins
    ask-dr-weil_vitamins-supplements-herbs_vitamins-topnav
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    The Legacy Of Living Yes | Spontaneous Happiness | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Health Tips
    Healthy Drinks To Start Sipping | Andrew Weil, M.D.
    Spontaneous Happiness
    blog_spontaneous-happiness_topnav
  • COVID-19
  • Dr. Weil Origins Skin Care
  • Marketplace
  • Healthy Aging
  • Podcasts
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Does EMDR Work For PTSD?
Subscribe
Press "Enter" to search
  1. Home
  2. Health & Wellness
  3. Balanced Living
  4. Wellness Therapies

Does EMDR Work For PTSD?

Can this eye-movement therapy be effective in healing?

Andrew Weil, M.D. |July 22, 2022

Does EMDR Work For PTSD? | Wellness Therapies | Andrew Weil, M.D.
3 min

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapeutic technique that has evolved over the past few decades as a treatment option for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The technique includes horizontal eye movements, bilateral tapping on the back of the patient’s hands, and auditory stimulation. Combined with accessing the traumatic memory and encouraging positive thoughts, the therapy is intended to “reprogram” the brain to break the association between the traumatic event and current feelings of fear and pain. Several studies have shown it to be effective in allowing those experiencing symptoms of PTSD to heal.

EMDR is based on the theory that PTSD is rooted in memories of traumatic events that have not been adequately processed by the brain. A 2018 review of 25 years’ worth of EMDR studies noted that many had found the technique to be as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) but conceded that further study is needed to better understand its neurobiological underpinnings, as well as its mechanism of action. It also noted that the technique holds promise not only for addressing PTSD but also for addiction disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.

Italian researchers studied two groups of people experiencing symptoms of PTSD after the 2002 earthquake in San Giuliano di Puglia. Of the individuals studied, 14 received four treatment cycles of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) and 17 underwent four cycles of EMDR therapy. In addition to administering tests that measure symptoms of trauma, researchers looked at functional MRI (fMRI) patterns before and after treatment. On the clinician-administered scales, both groups showed significant improvement, with no difference in results based on which treatment had been used. Interestingly, on fMRI imaging both groups also showed increased connectivity between two parts of the brain in one area as well as decreased connectivity between two parts in another area. Improvements on scores in the clinical tests correlated with the changes in connectivity in the brain. Researchers concluded that EMDR is as effective as TF-CBT in treating symptoms of PTSD precipitated by a natural disaster.

In a Turkish study in 2020, researchers conducted EMDR therapy on 30 children and adolescents who had experienced one or more traumatic events. The study data showed a significant reduction in symptoms of PTSD and anxiety six weeks after treatment. The researchers concluded that EMDR is a useful tool for youngsters but conceded that larger sample sizes would help establish the technique’s effectiveness.

The American Psychological Association rates EMDR as “conditionally recommended” for the treatment of PTSD, while more established treatments like CBT are “strongly recommended.” I would agree that we need more studies, with larger populations, to come to a reliable conclusion on EMDR, but it is certainly an interesting option that appears to hold promise.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Sources
Novo Navarro P, Landin-Romero R, Guardiola-Wanden-Berghe R, Moreno-Alcázar A, Valiente-Gómez A, Lupo W, García F, Fernández I, Pérez V, Amann BL. 25 years of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): The EMDR therapy protocol, hypotheses of its mechanism of action and a systematic review of its efficacy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. Rev Psiquiatr Salud Ment (Engl Ed). 2018 Apr-Jun;11(2):101-114. English, Spanish. doi: 10.1016/j.rpsm.2015.12.002. Epub 2016 Feb 11. PMID: 26877093. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26877093/

Wilson G, Farrell D, Barron I, Hutchins J, Whybrow D, Kiernan MD. The Use of Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in Treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder-A Systematic Narrative Review. Front Psychol. 2018 Jun 6;9:923. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00923. PMID: 29928250; PMCID: PMC5997931. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29928250/

Karadag M, Gokcen C, Sarp AS. EMDR therapy in children and adolescents who have post-traumatic stress disorder: a six-week follow-up study. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2020 Mar;24(1):77-82. doi: 10.1080/13651501.2019.1682171. Epub 2019 Oct 30. PMID: 31663396.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31663396/

Santarnecchi E, Bossini L, Vatti G, Fagiolini A, La Porta P, Di Lorenzo G, Siracusano A, Rossi S, Rossi A. Psychological and Brain Connectivity Changes Following Trauma-Focused CBT and EMDR Treatment in Single-Episode PTSD Patients. Front Psychol. 2019 Feb 25;10:129. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00129. PMID: 30858808; PMCID: PMC6397860.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30858808/

Read more tips, recipes, and insights on a wide variety of topics from Dr. Weil here.

Does Equine Therapy Work For PTSD? | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Wellness Therapies

Does Equine Therapy Work For PTSD?

PTSD And Ovarian Cancer Risk? | Cancer | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Cancer

PTSD And Ovarian Cancer Risk?

Advertisement
Related Weil Products

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging for Heart Health

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging for Heart Health – Keep your heart healthy with small changes to your diet and lifestyle. Learn more – start your free trial of the Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging online guide today for access to an exclusive version of Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid and get 14 days free!
Get Started
Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Chiropractor at work
Wellness Therapies

A Kinder, Gentler Chiropractor?

qigong
Wellness Therapies

A Mind-Body Practice: Qigong

Beauty treatment salon
Wellness Therapies

Acupressure

"Closeup of beautiful young woman with Acupuncture Needles during healing treatment, selective focus"
Wellness Therapies

Acupuncture

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Information
  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Manage Email Subscription
Trending Articles
Chiropractor at work
Wellness Therapies

A Kinder, Gentler Chiropractor?

qigong
Wellness Therapies

A Mind-Body Practice: Qigong

Daily Tips
HA_Asian-Mushrooms_1x1_663893996
Health Tips

Concerned About Cancer? 6 Asian Mushrooms To Consider

3 Tasty Ways To Cook Culinary Mushrooms | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Health Tips

3 Tasty Ways To Cook Culinary Mushrooms

  • Flickr
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

©Copyright2023 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com