EMDR Research Foundation Articles -
The Effectiveness of EMDR With Individuals Experiencing Substance Use Disorder: A Meta-Analysis
Logsdon, Elizabeth |
Cornelius-White, Jeffrey H. D. |
Kanamori, Yasuko
Abstract
The current meta-analysis aims to synthesize existing studies on the effectiveness of both trauma-focused and addiction-focused eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for people with substance use disorder (SUD). Search and selection procedures involved screening 1,733 references, yielding 10 studies published between 2008 and 2021 from 8 countries with 561 participants. After the removal of one outlier study, the results showed EMDR to be effective on a variety of outcomes for people with SUD (n = 9, d = .654, 95% CI [.332, .985], p < .001). Regarding the effects on SUD outcomes, meta-analysis also showed EMDR to be effective (n = 7, d = .580, 95% CI [.209, .951], p = .002). Specifically, EMDR was effective with SUD treatment engagement and severity, but not necessarily the reduction of cravings, and also effective for reducing comorbid posttraumatic and depressive symptoms. This meta-analysis is limited by the number of studies and participants, heterogeneity in methods of included studies, the quality of studies, and other factors.
EMDR as Add-On Treatment for Psychiatric and Traumatic Symptoms in Patients with Substance Use Disorder
Sara Carletto1*†, Francesco Oliva1†, Micaela Barnato2, Teresa Antonelli3, Antonina Cardia4, Paolo Mazzaferro3, Carolina Raho4, Luca Ostacoli1,5, Isabel Fernandez2 and Marco Pagani6
Background: Substance use disorders (SUD) are patterns of substance use leading to severe impairment on social, working and economic levels. In vivo and clinical findings have enhanced the role of the brain's stress-related system in maintaining SUD behaviors. Several studies have also revealed a high prevalence of post-traumatic symptoms among SUD patients, suggesting that a trauma-informed treatment approach could lead to better treatment outcomes. However, only few studies have evaluated the use of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in SUD without consistent results. The aim of the present pilot study was to assess the efficacy of a combined trauma-focused (TF) and addiction-focused (AF) EMDR intervention in treating post-traumatic and stress-related symptoms of patients with SUD.
Methods: Forty patients with different SUD were enrolled in the study. Twenty patients underwent treatment as usual (TAU), the other 20 patients were treated with TAU plus 24 weekly sessions of EMDR. All patients were assessed before and after intervention for several psychological dimensions using specific tools (i.e., BDI-II, DES, IES-R, STAI, and SCL-90-GSI). A repeated measure MANOVA was performed to evaluate both between groups (TAU + EMDR vs. TAU) and within group (pre- vs. post-intervention) effects and interactions. A secondary outcome was the dichotomous variable yielded by the urine drug testing immunoassay (yes/no).
Results: The RM-MANOVA revealed both a significant pre–post main effect (p < 0.001), and a significant group-by-time main effect (p < 0.001). Significant improvements on IES-R, DES, and SCL-90-GSI scales were shown in both groups according to time effects (p < 0.05). However, significant greater effects were found for TAU + EMDR group than TAU group. No differences were found between TAU and TAU + EMDR groups in terms of urine drug immunoassay results before and after the interventions.
Conclusions: The TAU + EMDR group showed a significant improvement of post-traumatic and dissociative symptoms, accompanied by a reduction in anxiety and overall psychopathology levels, whereas TAU group showed a significant reduction only in post-traumatic symptoms. Although our results can only be considered preliminary, this study suggests that a combined TF- and AF- EMDR protocol is an effective and well-accepted add-on treatment for patients with SUD.
Efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) in Improving Self-Regulation of In-House Filipino Clients with Substance-Use-Disorder
June 2021
Authors:
Andres Jr. Vergara Virrey
Sanatio Psychological Services
Jemerson Dominguez
Abstract:
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)