Efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) in Improving Self-Regulation of In-House Filipino Clients with Substance-Use-Disorder

Drug addiction is considered as a global epidemic which drastically affects millions of people worldwide, damaging an individual’s physiological, social, and psychological facets. One of the constructs that has been determined as an essential factor in the development of a variety of addictive behaviors is self-regulation. It plays an important role in predicting, maintaining, and treating addiction. In this study, the efficacy of Desensitization of Triggers and Urge Reprocessing (DeTUR), an Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) addiction protocol, in improving self-regulation was tested among fourteen (14) in-house clients of two drug treatment and rehabilitation centers using sequential explanatory mixed method research design wherein Self-regulation Inventory-Short Version (SRI-S) and individual interviews were employed. Results explicitly proved that self-regulation scores obtained significantly differed before, after, and even the delivery of delayed posttest using the EMDR as an intervention. The study confirmed that EMDR enhances the clients’ self-regulations (Overall SRI) and the sub-areas: positive actions, controllability, expressions of feelings and needs, assertiveness, and well-being seeking. Themes generated using thematic analysis further established a basis for the efficacy of EMDR.Keywords: drug addiction, self-regulation, Eye-movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Desensitization of Triggers and Urge Reprocessing (DeTUR)

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing for Children and Adolescents With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Narrative Review

There is currently a limited number of studies into the efficacy of eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy with children and adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study utilizes a systematic narrative review of methodologies and findings of previous literature reviews and meta-analyses as well as analyzing randomized control trials (RCTs) conducted from 2002 to 2018. Following initial scoping of the extent of studies, two systematic literature searches were conducted, firstly for literature reviews and secondly for recent RCTs. Nine databases were utilized. Eight reviews and seven RCTs were identified and analyzed for quality of methodology and outcome as measured by impact on PTSD symptoms. EMDR was found to be efficacious in reducing children's PTSD symptoms compared to waitlist conditions, with similar outcomes to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). EMDR was effective with both single-event trauma as well as cumulative trauma such as sexual abuse. EMDR was equally effective with girls and boys as well as children from different cultures. EMDR achieved medium to large effect sizes. Reductions in PTSD were maintained at 2-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. In conclusion, EMDR was consistently found to be an efficacious treatment for children with PTSD. Recommendations are made for future practice and research.

Positive Cognition and Timing of Self-Administered App for Test-Taking Anxiety

A self-administered application was designed to reduce anxiety using a modified Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) model. The purpose of this study was to calibrate the EMDR web application for timing and desired self-belief to reduce test taking anxiety prior to an academic exam. Five classrooms of 9th grade students from a convenience sample (N=132) were randomly assigned to different timing groups of EMDR exposure (30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, and 5 minutes).  One minute was identified as the ideal time for exposure. “I got this” was selected from 5 choices (I’m good enough; I’m smart enough; I can do this; I got this; and I’m ok) and a self-reported other as the desired self-belief phrase before an examination as well as in daily life. This information was used to test the application for efficacy before an algebra examination in the next phase of research and can be applied both in a group classroom setting and individually.