How are eye movements used in other therapies?
Sources:
Eye movements have therapeutic applications beyond traditional settings, particularly in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This therapy involves lateralized eye movements to help individuals process traumatic memories. Here's how it works and some associated insights:
-
Mechanism and Effectiveness: EMDR involves moving the eyes side to side while recounting traumatic events. This process helps reduce the activity of the amygdala, a brain region involved in the fear and stress response 1. This reduction can help alleviate anxiety and the amplitude of the threat reflex 2.
-
Limitations: While EMDR is beneficial for single-event traumas, it may not be as effective for complex traumas from prolonged experiences 3. Some studies suggest that the supposed benefits may be more related to exposure therapy rather than the eye movements themselves, as dismantling studies have shown that lateral eye movements might not add significant value 4.
-
Neuroscientific Insights: Initial skepticism about EMDR's mechanisms, such as claims it mimics rapid eye movement during sleep or coordinates brain hemispheres, have been rebutted. However, recent studies support its efficacy in suppressing fear circuitry 3 2.
-
Additional Integration: EMDR may integrate elements resembling hypnosis and might not fully process trauma without the accompanying cognitive work. There's a belief that it guides individuals into a parasympathetic, calmer state through amygdala suppression, positioning it somewhat akin to hypnotic techniques 4 5.
These insights highlight ongoing research and emphasize the complexity of trauma therapy, indicating the need for more research to unravel the specific mechanisms behind EMDR's success.
RELATED QUESTIONS-