EMDR

Abstract

Abstract This chapter reviews the evidence for EMDR treatment efficacy. It begins with the disorders where there is substantial evidence supporting treatment efficacy. In these disorders (PTSD, depression, and phobias) there have been sufficient randomized controlled trials to conduct meta-analyses. It then considers evidence for the efficacy of EMDR for disorders where there have been two or more randomized controlled trials but not a sufficient number of trials to conduct a meta-analysis. This section examines the evidence for pain, panic disorder, OCD, performance anxiety, substance abuse disorders, and perinatal care. In the following section those conditions for which there is only one randomized controlled trial are discussed. The chapter concludes with comments on what the literature offers in terms of economic benefits of providing EMDR, efficacy of EMDR delivered over the Internet, and the state of the evidence in terms of the contribution of eye movements and other bilateral stimulation in EMDR.