How does EMDR work?
Abstract
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for alleviating trauma symptoms, and the positive effects of this treatment have been scientifically confirmed under well-controlled conditions. This has provided an opportunity to explore how EMDR works. The present paper reports on the findings of a long series of experiments that disproved the hypothesis that eye movements or other ‘dual tasks’ are unnecessary. These experiments also disproved the idea that ‘bilateral stimulation’ is needed; moving the eyes up and down produces the same effect as horizontal eye movement, and so do tasks that require no eye movement at all. However, it is important that the dual task taxes working memory. Several predictions can be derived from the working memory explanation for eye movements in EMDR. These seem to hold up extremely well in critical experimental tests, and create a solid explanation on how eye movements work. This paper discusses the implications that this theory and the empirical findings may have for the EMDR technique.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The efficacy of eye movements can be explained in the context of working memory theory, whereby eye-movements occupy limited cognitive resources during memory retrieval, resulting in the storage of less vivid/emotional memory representations.
“These experiments have demonstrated that the efficacy of such techniques can be explained in the context of working memory theory, whereby eye-movements occupy limited cognitive resources during memory retrieval, resulting in the storage of less vivid/emotional memory representations (see Van den Hout & Engelhard, 2012 for an overview).”
From Intrusive memories of trauma: A target for research bridging cognitive science and its clinical application (2019) · cites this paper as Van den Hout & Engelhard, 2012
These treatments target problematic aspects of the trauma memory.
“What these have in common is that the treatment targets problematic aspects of the trauma memory, whether by techniques such as exposure (Foa & Kozak, 1986), restructuring (Ehlers & Clark, 2000), or dual-task interference (Van den Hout & Engelhard, 2012).”
From Intrusive memories of trauma: A target for research bridging cognitive science and its clinical application (2019) · cites this paper as Van den Hout & Engelhard, 2012
Cites
Human memory : theory and practice
Baddeley, A. (1990) · Cited by 3,045 · see citing works
A Multidimensional Meta-Analysis of Psychotherapy for PTSD
Bradley, R., Greene, J., Russ, E., Dutra, L., & Westen, D. (2005) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.162.2.214 · Cited by 1,938 · see citing works
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures
Shapiro, F. (1995) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 1,529 · see citing works
Brewin, C. R., Gregory, J. D., Lipton, M., & Burgess, N. (2010) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037/a0018113 · Cited by 1,226 · see citing works
Mental imagery in emotion and emotional disorders
Holmes, E. A., & Mathews, A. (2010) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2010.01.001 · Cited by 976 · see citing works
Bisson, J. I., Ehlers, A., Matthews, R., Pilling, S., Richards, D., & Turner, S. (2007) · British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.106.021402 · Cited by 900 · see citing works
Clinical Handbook of Psychological Disorders: A Step-by-Step Treatment Manual
Barnaby, B. (2015) · Occupational Medicine · doi:10.1093/occmed/kqv128 · Cited by 816 · see citing works
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures
Lohr, J. (1996) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7967(96)90013-3 · Cited by 759 · see citing works
Seidler, G. H., & Wagner, F. E. (2006) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291706007963 · Cited by 474 · see citing works
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): A meta-analysis.
Davidson, P. R., & Parker, K. C. H. (2001) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.69.2.305 · Cited by 424 · see citing works
Andrade, J., Kavanagh, D., & Baddeley, A. (1997) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.2044-8260.1997.tb01408.x · Cited by 407 · see citing works
Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry
(1976) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-08-021148-0.50045-1 · Cited by 401 · see citing works
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as a treatment for chronic depression: A preliminary study
Barnhofer, T., Crane, C., Hargus, E., Amarasinghe, M., Winder, R., & Williams, J. M. G. (2009) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2009.01.019 · Cited by 396 · see citing works
A meta-analysis of the contribution of eye movements in processing emotional memories
Lee, C. W., & Cuijpers, P. J. (2012) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2012.11.001 · Cited by 371 · see citing works
Imagination inflation for action events: Repeated imaginings lead to illusory recollections
Goff, L. M., & Roediger, H. L., III (1998) · Memory & Cognition · doi:10.3758/bf03211367 · Cited by 363 · see citing works
How eye movements affect unpleasant memories: Support for a working-memory account
Gunter, R. W., & Bodner, G. E. (2008) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2008.04.006 · Cited by 362 · see citing works
Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for residual depressive symptoms
Kingston, T., Dooley, B. A., Bates, A., Lawlor, E., & Malone, K. M. (2006) · Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice · doi:10.1348/147608306x116016 · Cited by 283 · see citing works
Autobiographical memories become less vivid and emotional after eye movements
van den Hout, M., Muris, P., Salemink, E., & Kindt, M. (2001) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1348/014466501163571 · Cited by 274 · see citing works
Effects of visuospatial tasks on desensitization to emotive memories
Kavanagh, D. J., Freese, S., Andrade, J., & May, J. (2001) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1348/014466501163689 · Cited by 227 · see citing works
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: evaluating current evidence and informing future research
Coelho, H. F., Canter, P. H., & Ernst, E. (2007) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.75.6.1000 · Cited by 227 · see citing works
Herbert, J. (2000) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/s0272-7358(99)00017-3 · Cited by 210 · cited 3× · see citing works
“, Herbert et al., 2000; Muris & Merckelbach, 1999). This scepticism does not seem inappropriate. As Carl Sagan (2008) famously said: ‘extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence’.”
BackgroundMethodBarrowcliff, A. L., Gray, N. S., Freeman, T. C., & MacCulloch, M. J. (2004) · Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology · doi:10.1080/14789940410001673042 · Cited by 189 · see citing works
When the present visits the past: Updating traumatic memories in social phobia
Wild, J., Hackmann, A., & Clark, D. M. (2007) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2007.07.003 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
A Working Memory Explanation for the Effects of Eye Movements in EMDR
Maxfield, L., Melnyk, W. T., & Hayman, G. (2008) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.2.4.247 · Cited by 175 · see citing works
van den Hout, M., Engelhard, I. M., Rijkeboer, M. M., Koekebakker, J., Hornsveld, H. K., Leer, A., Toffolo, M. B. J., & Akse, N. (2010) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.11.003 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Self-citationThe impact of taxing working memory on negative and positive memories
Engelhard, I. M., van Uijen, S. L., & van den Hout, M. (2010) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.3402/ejpt.v1i0.5623 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Self-citationEye movements reduce vividness and emotionality of “flashforwards”
Engelhard, I. M., van den Hout, M. A., Janssen, W. C., & van der Beek, J. (2010) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.01.003 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Self-citationEngelhard, I. M., van den Hout, M., & Smeets, M. A. M. (2010) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2010.09.004 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Self-citationImagery Rescripting for Personality Disorders
Arntz, A. R. (2011) · Cognitive and Behavioral Practice · doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2011.04.006 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Kemps, E., & Tiggemann, M. (2007) · Memory · doi:10.1080/09658210701262017 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
van den Hout, M., Engelhard, I. M., Smeets, M. A. M., Hornsveld, H. K., Hoogeveen, E., de Heer, E., Toffolo, M. B. J., & Rijkeboer, M. M. (2010) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.1677 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
Self-citationvan den Hout, M., Bartelski, N., & Engelhard, I. M. (2012) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2012.691087 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Self-citationEngelhard, I. M., van den Hout, M. A., Dek, E. C. P., Giele, C. L., van der Wielen, J.-W., Reijnen, M. J., & van Roij, B. (2011) · Journal of Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.01.009 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Self-citationvan den Hout, M., Engelhard, I. M., Beetsma, D. J. V., Slofstra, C., Hornsveld, H. K., Houtveen, J. H., & Leer, A. (2011) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2011.03.004 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
Self-citationMcNally, R. J. (1999) · Journal of Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/s0887-6185(98)00049-8 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Tones inferior to eye movements in the EMDR treatment of PTSD
van den Hout, M., Rijkeboer, M. M., Engelhard, I. M., Klugkist, I. G., Hornsveld, H. K., Toffolo, M. B. J., & Cath, D. C. (2012) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2012.02.001 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Self-citationImagery Rescripting in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Hackmann, A. (2011) · Cognitive and Behavioral Practice · doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2010.06.006 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Korrelboom, K., de Jong, M., Huijbrechts, I., & Daansen, P. (2009) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0016742 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Ricci, R. J., Clayton, C. A., & Shapiro, F. (2006) · Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology · doi:10.1080/14789940601070431 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Traumatic memories, eye movements, phobia, and panic: a critical note on the proliferation of EMDR.
Muris, P., & Merckelbach, H. (1999) · Journal of Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/s0887-6185(98)00048-6 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Hornsveld, H. K., Houtveen, J. H., Vroomen, M., Kapteijn, I., Aalbers, D., & van den Hout, M. (2011) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.5.4.146 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Considering Mechanisms of Action in EMDR
Maxfield, L. (2008) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.2.4.234 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Choking under Pressure: Degrading Flashforwards Related to Performance Anxiety
Engelhard, I. M., Sijbrandij, M., van den Hout, M. A., Rutherford, N. M., Rahim, H. F., & Kocak, F. (2012) · Journal of Experimental Psychopathology · doi:10.5127/jep.024111 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Self-citationHornsveld, H. K., Landwehr, F., Stein, W., Stomp, M. P. H., Smeets, M. A. M., & van den Hout, M. (2010) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.4.3.106 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
MacCulloch, M. J. (2006) · Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology · doi:10.1080/14789940601075760 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
McNally, R. J. (2008) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291708003048 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
James, E. L., Bonsall, M. B., Hoppitt, L., Tunbridge, E. M., Geddes, J. R., Milton, A. L., & Holmes, E. A. (2015) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0956797615583071 · Cited by 333 · see citing works
Iyadurai, L., Blackwell, S. E., Meiser-Stedman, R., Watson, P. C., Bonsall, M. B., Geddes, J. R., Nobre, A. C., & Holmes, E. A. (2018) · Molecular Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/mp.2017.23 · Cited by 266 · see citing works
Iyadurai, L., Visser, R. M., Lau-Zhu, A., Porcheret, K., Horsch, A., Holmes, E. A., & James, E. L. (2019) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2018.08.005 · Cited by 255 · see citing works
Emotional Mental Imagery as Simulation of Reality: Fear and Beyond—A Tribute to Peter Lang
Ji, J. L., Heyes, S. B., MacLeod, C., & Holmes, E. A. (2016) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2015.11.004 · Cited by 234 · see citing works
Acarturk, C., Konuk, E., Cetinkaya, M., Senay, I., Sijbrandij, M., Gulen, B., & Cuijpers, P. (2016) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291716001070 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Engelhard, I. M., Leer, A., Lange, E., & Olatunji, B. O. (2014) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2014.04.003 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Self-citationKessler, H., Holmes, E. A., Blackwell, S. E., Schmidt, A.-C., Schweer, J. M., Bücker, A., Herpertz, S., Axmacher, N., & Kehyayan, A. (2018) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/ccp0000340 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
How eye movements in EMDR work: Changes in memory vividness and emotionality
Leer, A., Engelhard, I. M., & van den Hout, M. (2014) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2014.04.004 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Self-citationde Jongh, A., Ernst, R., Marques, L., & Hornsveld, H. K. (2013) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2013.07.002 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Eye-Movement Intervention Enhances Extinction via Amygdala Deactivation
de Voogd, L. D., Kanen, J. W., Neville, D. A., Roelofs, K., Fernández, G., & Hermans, E. J. (2018) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.0703-18.2018 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
How do emotions elicited in virtual reality affect our memory? A systematic review
Mancuso, V., Bruni, F., Stramba-Badiale, M., Riva, G., Cipresso, P., & Pedroli, E. (2023) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2023.107812 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Ryan, J. D., Shen, K., & Liu, Z. (2019) · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1111/nyas.14256 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Lau‐Zhu, A., Holmes, E. A., Butterfield, S., & Holmes, J. (2017) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.3339 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
State of the science: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
de Jongh, A., de Roos, C., & El‐Leithy, S. (2024) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.23012 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Latest developments in post-traumatic stress disorder: diagnosis and treatment: Table 1
Greenberg, N. L., Brooks, S. K., & Dunn, R. (2015) · British Medical Bulletin · doi:10.1093/bmb/ldv014 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Retrieving and Modifying Traumatic Memories: Recent Research Relevant to Three Controversies
Engelhard, I. M., McNally, R. J., & van Schie, K. (2019) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0963721418807728 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Self-citationWhat Drives False Memories in Psychopathology? A Case for Associative Activation
Otgaar, H., Muris, P., Howe, M. L., & Merckelbach, H. L. G. J. (2017) · Clinical Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/2167702617724424 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Lau‐Zhu, A., Henson, R. N., & Holmes, E. A. (2019) · Journal of Experimental Psychology General · doi:10.1037/xge0000598 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
A review on mental imagery in fear conditioning research 100 years since the ‘Little Albert’ study
Mertens, G., Krypotos, A.-M., & Engelhard, I. M. (2020) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2020.103556 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Self-citationvan Veen, S. C., van Schie, K., Meij, L. W., Littel, M., Engelhard, I. M., & van den Hout, M. (2015) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00045 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Self-citationSlofstra, C., Nauta, M. H., Holmes, E. A., & Bockting, C. (2016) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0160235 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Wright, S. L., Karyotaki, E., Cuijpers, P. J., Bisson, J. I., Papola, D., Witteveen, A. B., Suliman, S., Spies, G., Ahmadi, K., Capezzani, L., et al. (2024) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291723003446 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Blurring of emotional and non-emotional memories by taxing working memory during recall
van den Hout, M., Eidhof, M. B., Verboom, J., Littel, M., & Engelhard, I. M. (2013) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2013.848785 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Self-citationFacilitating Access to Emotions: Neural Signature of EMDR Stimulation
Herkt, D., Tumani, V., Grön, G., Kammer, T., Hofmann, A., & Abler, B. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0106350 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Hagenaars, M. A., Holmes, E. A., Klaassen, F., & Elzinga, B. (2017) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2017.1386959 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Kessler, H., Schmidt, A.-C., James, E. L., Blackwell, S. E., von Rauchhaupt, M., Harren, A. K., Kehyayan, A., Clark, I. A., Sauvage, M. M., Herpertz, S., et al. (2019) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2019.01.006 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Matthijssen, S. J. M. A., Brouwers, T. C., van Roozendaal, C., Vuister, T., & de Jongh, A. (2021) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2021.1956793 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Lateral Eye Movements Increase False Memory Rates
Houben, S. T. L., Otgaar, H., Roelofs, J., & Merckelbach, H. L. G. J. (2018) · Clinical Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/2167702618757658 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Blackwell, S. E. (2021) · International Journal of Cognitive Therapy · doi:10.1007/s41811-021-00102-0 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
What Is EMDR Therapy? Past, Present, and Future Directions
Laliotis, D., Luber, M., Oren, U., Shapiro, E., Ichii, M., Hase, M., Rosa, L. L., Alter-Reid, K., & Saint-Jammes, J. T. (2021) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/emdr-d-21-00029 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Blurring emotional memories using eye movements: individual differences and speed of eye movements
van Schie, K., van Veen, S. C., Engelhard, I. M., Klugkist, I. G., & van den Hout, M. (2016) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.3402/ejpt.v7.29476 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Self-citationSystematic literature review of psychological interventions for first responders
Alden, L. E., Matthews, L. R., Wagner, S. L., Fyfe, T., Randall, C., Regehr, C., White, M., Buys, N. J., Carey, M. G., Corneil, W., et al. (2020) · Work & Stress · doi:10.1080/02678373.2020.1758833 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
The effects of eye movements on emotional memories: using an objective measure of cognitive load
van Veen, S. C., Engelhard, I., & van den Hout, M. (2016) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.3402/ejpt.v7.30122 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Self-citationGil‐Jardine, C., Evrard, G., Joboory, S. A., Saint-Jammes, J. T., Masson, F., Ribereau‐Gayon, R., Galinski, M., Salmi, L., Revel, P., Régis, C. A., et al. (2018) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.05.024 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Tarquinio, C., Rotonda, C., Houllé, W. A., Montel, S., Rydberg, J. A., Minary, L., Dellucci, H., Tarquinio, P., Fayard, A., & Alla, F. (2016) · Issues in Mental Health Nursing · doi:10.1080/01612840.2016.1224282 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Calancie, O. G., Khalid‐Khan, S., Booij, L., & Munoz, D. P. (2018) · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1111/nyas.13882 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Houben, S. T. L., Otgaar, H., Roelofs, J., Merckelbach, H. L. G. J., & Muris, P. (2020) · Journal of Experimental Psychopathology · doi:10.1177/2043808720907744 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Littel, M., van den Hout, M., & Engelhard, I. M. (2016) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00014 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Self-citationBoterhoven de Haan, K. L., Lee, C. W., Fassbinder, E., Voncken, M. J., Meewisse, M., Van Es, S. M., Menninga, S., Kousemaker, M., & Arntz, A. (2017) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1330-2 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Slotema, C. W., van den Berg, D. P. G., Driessen, A., Wilhelmus, B., & Franken, I. H. A. (2019) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2019.1614822 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Examining the relationship between working memory consolidation and long-term consolidation
Cotton, K., & Ricker, T. J. (2022) · Psychonomic Bulletin & Review · doi:10.3758/s13423-022-02084-2 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Degrading emotional memories induced by a virtual reality paradigm
Cuperus, A. A., Laken, M., van den Hout, M., & Engelhard, I. M. (2016) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2016.03.004 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Self-citationMertens, G., Lund, M., & Engelhard, I. M. (2021) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2021.103424 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Self-citationTurning negative memories around: Contingency versus devaluation techniques
Dibbets, P., Lemmens, A., & Voncken, M. J. (2018) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2018.02.001 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Can working memory account for EMDR efficacy in PTSD?
Wadji, D. L., Martin-Söelch, C., & Camos, V. (2022) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-022-00951-0 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Targeting intrusive imagery using a competing task technique: a case study
Iyadurai, L., Hales, S. A., Blackwell, S. E., Young, K., & Holmes, E. A. (2020) · Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy · doi:10.1017/s1352465820000296 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Trentini, C., Lauriola, M., Giuliani, A., Maslovaric, G., Tambelli, R., Fernández, I., & Pagani, M. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00862 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Degrading traumatic memories with eye movements: a pilot functional MRI study in PTSD
Thomaes, K., Engelhard, I. M., Sijbrandij, M., Cath, D. C., & van den Heuvel, O. A. (2016) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.3402/ejpt.v7.31371 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Self-citationLateral Eye Movements Do Not Increase False-Memory Rates: A Failed Direct-Replication Study
van Schie, K., & Leer, A. (2019) · Clinical Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/2167702619859335 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Kearns, M. L., & Engelhard, I. M. (2015) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00115 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Self-citationStress Enhances the Memory-Degrading Effects of Eye Movements on Emotionally Neutral Memories
Littel, M., Remijn, M., Tinga, A. M., Engelhard, I. M., & van den Hout, M. (2017) · Clinical Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/2167702616687292 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Self-citationAsselbergs, J., Sijbrandij, M., Hoogendoorn, E., Cuijpers, P., Olie, L., Oved, K., Merkies, J., Plooijer, T., Eltink, S., & Riper, H. (2018) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2018.1424447 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
A cognitively demanding working-memory intervention enhances extinction
de Voogd, L. D., & Phelps, E. A. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-63811-0 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Cuperus, A. A., Klaassen, F., Hagenaars, M. A., & Engelhard, I. M. (2017) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2017.1338106 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Self-citationEye movements during recall of aversive memory decreases conditioned fear
Leer, A., Engelhard, I. M., Altink, A., & van den Hout, M. A. (2013) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2013.07.004 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Self-citationJames, E. L., Lau-Zhu, A., Tickle, H., Horsch, A., & Holmes, E. A. (2016) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2015.11.004 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
van Veen, S. C., van Schie, K., van de Schoot, R., van den Hout, M., & Engelhard, I. M. (2019) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2019.03.001 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Self-citationSusanty, E., Sijbrandij, M., van Dijk, W., Srisayekti, W., de Vries, R., & Huizink, A. C. (2022) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2022.2071527 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Thoughts on Experimental Psychopathology
van den Hout, M., Engelhard, I. M., & McNally, R. J. (2016) · Psychopathology Review · doi:10.5127/pr.045115 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Self-citationAmano, T., & Toichi, M. (2014) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.8.2.50 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Integration of Religion and Spirituality Into Trauma Psychotherapy: An Example in Sufism?
Abdul-Hamid, W. K., & Hughes, J. H. (2015) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.9.3.150 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
The effects of dual-tasks on intrusive memories following analogue trauma
van Schie, K., van Veen, S. C., & Hagenaars, M. A. (2019) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2019.103448 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Targeted memory reactivation to augment treatment in post-traumatic stress disorder.
der Heijden, A. V. D. V., van der Werf, Y., van den Heuvel, O. A., Talamini, L. M., & van Marle, H. V. (2024) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.019 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
The Effects of Bilateral Eye Movements on EEG Coherence When Recalling a Pleasant Memory
Keller, B., Stevens, L. C., Lui, C., Murray, J. M., & Yaggie, M. (2014) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.8.3.113 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
EMDR Interventions in Addiction
Markus, W., & Hornsveld, H. K. (2017) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.11.1.3 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Houben, S. T. L., Otgaar, H., Roelofs, J., Smeets, T., & Merckelbach, H. L. G. J. (2019) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2019.103546 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Rameckers, S. A., van Emmerik, A., de Haan, K. B., Kousemaker, M., Faßbinder, E., Lee, C. W., Meewisse, M. L., Menninga, S., Rijkeboer, M. M., Schaich, A., et al. (2024) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2024.104492 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Eye movement during recall reduces objective memory performance: An extended replication
Leer, A., Engelhard, I. M., Lenaert, B., Struyf, D., Vervliet, B., & Hermans, D. (2017) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2017.03.002 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Self-citationRijkeboer, M. M., Daemen, J. J., Flipse, A., Bouwman, V., & Hagenaars, M. A. (2019) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2019.04.004 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
McDermott, L., Hameed, I., & Lau‐Zhu, A. (2024) · Trauma Violence & Abuse · doi:10.1177/15248380241262262 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Tadmor, A., McNally, R. J., & Engelhard, I. M. (2014) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2014.11.001 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Self-citationTreatment of Intrusive Suicidal Imagery Using Eye Movements
van Bentum, J. S., Sijbrandij, M., Huibers, M. J. H., Huisman, A., Arntz, A. R., Holmes, E. A., & Kerkhof, A. J. F. M. (2017) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph14070714 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
The effect of bilateral eye-movements versus no eye-movements on sexual fantasies
Bartels, R. M., Harkins, L., Harrison, S. C., Beard, N., & Beech, A. R. (2018) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2018.01.001 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Littel, M., Kenemans, J. L., Baas, J. M. P., Logemann, H. N. A., Rijken, N., Remijn, M., Hassink, R. J., Engelhard, I. M., & van den Hout, M. (2017) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.03.012 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Self-citationSleep as a window to target traumatic memories
van der Heijden, A. C., van den Heuvel, O. A., van der Werf, Y. D., Talamini, L. M., & van Marle, H. J. F. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104765 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Littel, M., van Schie, K., & van den Hout, M. (2017) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2017.1328954 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Schäfer, S., Ihmig, F., H., K. A. L., Neurohr, F., Kiefer, S., Staginnus, M., Lass-Hennemann, J., & Michael, T. (2018) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-018-2554-2 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Asselbergs, J., van Bentum, J. S., Riper, H. M., Cuijpers, P. J., Holmes, E. A., & Sijbrandij, M. (2023) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.01.028 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Otgaar, H., Houben, S. T. L., Rassin, E., & Merckelbach, H. L. G. J. (2021) · Memory · doi:10.1080/09658211.2021.1966043 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Eye Closure Interacts with Music to Influence Vividness and Content of Directed Imagery
Herff, S. A., McConnell, S., Ji, J. L., & Prince, J. B. (2022) · Music & Science · doi:10.1177/20592043221142711 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Changing negative autobiographical memories in the lab: a comparison of three eye-movement tasks
Mertens, G., Krypotos, A., van Logtestijn, A., Landkroon, E., van Veen, S. C., & Engelhard, I. M. (2018) · Memory · doi:10.1080/09658211.2018.1507041 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Self-citationBrouwers, T. C., de Jongh, A., & Matthijssen, S. J. M. A. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.741163 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
A Case for Translation From the Clinic to the Laboratory
Kredlow, M. A., de Voogd, L. D., & Phelps, E. A. (2022) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/17456916211039852 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Trentini, C., Pagani, M., Fania, P., Speranza, A. M., Nicolais, G., Sibilia, A., Inguscio, L., Verardo, A. R., Fernández, I., & Ammaniti, M. (2015) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01662 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Burger, S. R., van der Linden, T., Hardy, A., de Bont, P. A. J. M., van der Vleugel, B. M., Staring, A. B. P., de Roos, C., van Zelst, C., Gottlieb, J. D., Mueser, K. T., et al. (2022) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-022-06808-6 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Matthijssen, S. J. M. A., van Schie, K., & van den Hout, M. (2018) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2018.1547271 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Lenferink, L., de Keijser, J., Smid, G., & Boelen, P. (2020) · Traumatology An International Journal · doi:10.1037/trm0000253 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
EMDR Therapy for Trauma-Related Disorders
Laliotis, D., & Shapiro, F. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-97802-0_11 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Yaggie, M., Stevens, L. C., Miller, S., Abbott, A., Woodruff, C. C., Getchis, M., Stevens, S., Sherlin, L. H., Keller, B., & Daiss, S. R. (2015) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.9.2.78 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Wibbelink, C. J. M., Lee, C. W., Bachrach, N., Dominguez, S. K., Ehring, T. W., van Es, S. M., Faßbinder, E., Köhne, S., Mascini, M., Meewisse, M., et al. (2021) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-021-05712-9 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Eschenröder, C. T. (2000) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-662-10777-5_28 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Voluntary and Involuntary Imagery in Social Anxiety
Homer, S. R., & Deeprose, C. (2017) · Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy · doi:10.1017/s1352465817000017 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Countering Fear Renewal: Changes in the UCS Representation Generalize Across Contexts
Leer, A., & Engelhard, I. M. (2014) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.beth.2014.09.012 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Self-citationLittel, M., & van Schie, K. (2019) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2019.101484 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Hafkemeijer, L., Starrenburg, A., van der Palen, J., Slotema, K., & de Jongh, A. (2021) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm10194333 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
A Model for the Flash Technique Based on Working Memory and Neuroscience Research
Wong, S.-L. (2021) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/emdr-d-21-00048 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Eye Movements Enhance Recollection of Re-Imagined Negative Words: A Link between EMDR and Sire?
Phaf, R. H. (2017) · Journal of Experimental Psychopathology · doi:10.5127/jep.059916 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Marotta-Walters, S. A., Jain, K., DiNardo, J., Kaur, P., & Kaligounder, S. (2018) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.12.1.2 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Susanty, E., Sijbrandij, M., Srisayekti, W., Suparman, Y., & Huizink, A. C. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.845520 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Alternative psychotherapies: Conceptual elucidation and epidemiological framework.
Fasce, A., & Adrián‐Ventura, J. (2020) · Professional Psychology Research and Practice · doi:10.1037/pro0000310 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
- Authors
- van den Hout, M. A., & Engelhard, I. M.
- Affiliations
- Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
- Utrecht University (NL)
- ORCID
- Engelhard, Iris M.
- Venue
- Journal of Experimental Psychopathology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2012-12
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 724-738
- ISSN
- 2043-8087 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2142320849
- Semantic Scholar
- fd258a7e6c723c18d012bf7fef275199e4479b5b
- Cited by
- 247
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 27 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 4
- FWCI
- 8.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Experimental Psychopathology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Keywords
- EMDR, working memory, dual-task interference, eye movements, bilateral stimulation, trauma symptoms, horizontal eye movements
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review