Psychotherapeutic Techniques for Distressing Memories: A Comparative Study between EMDR, Brainspotting, and Body Scan Meditation
Fabio D’Antoni, Alessio Matiz, Franco Fabbro, Cristiano Crescentini
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health January 20, 2022 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031142 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subject design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 40 |
| Population | Non-clinical sample of adult Psychologists/MDs |
| Interventions | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Brainspotting (BSP) Body Scan Meditation (BSM) |
| Duration | Single session with follow-up (timeline: Baseline, Pre-Intervention, Post-Intervention, Follow-up) |
| Measures | SUD (Subjective Units of Disturbance), Memory Telling Duration (MTD) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Single sessions of EMDR, BSP, or BSM each reduced subjective disturbance of distressing memories, with EMDR and BSP showing greater reductions than BSM and a book-reading control. |
Abstract
Objectives: We explored the effects of a single 40-min session of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting (BSP), and Body Scan Meditation (BSM) in the processing of distressing memories reported by a non-clinical sample of adult participants.
Design: A within-subject design was used.
Methods: Participants (n = 40 Psychologists/MDs) reported four distressing memories, each of which treated with a single intervention. EMDR, BSP, and BSM were compared with each other, and with a Book Reading (BR) active control condition, using as dependent measures, SUD (Subjective Units of Disturbance) and Memory Telling Duration (MTD) on a 4-point timeline: Baseline, Pre-Intervention, Post-Intervention, Follow-up.
Results: SUD scores associated with EMDR, BSP, and BSM significantly decreased from Pre- to Post-Intervention (p < 0.001). At Post-Intervention and Follow-up, EMDR and BSP SUD scores were significantly lower than BSM and BR scores (p < 0.02). At both Post-Intervention and Follow-up, BSM SUD scores were lower than BR scores (p < 0.01). A reduction in MTD was observed from Pre- to Post-Intervention for EMDR and BSP conditions (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Overall, results showed beneficial effects of single sessions of EMDR, BSP, or BSM in the processing of healthy adults’ distressing memories. Study limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.