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)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA single 40-minute session of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting (BSP), or Body Scan Meditation (BSM) each reduced the subjective disturbance (SUD scores) of distressing memories in 40 healthy adult psychologists and medical doctors. EMDR and BSP produced significantly lower disturbance than BSM and a book-reading control condition, both immediately after the session and at follow-up. BSM also lowered disturbance more than book reading. EMDR and BSP additionally shortened the time participants spent telling the memory. The study suggests that even one session of these interventions can help process distressing memories in a non-clinical sample.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Within-subject design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 40 |
| Population | Non-clinical sample of adult Psychologists/MDs |
| Interventions | Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Brainspotting Body Scan Meditation Book Reading |
| Dose | single 40-min session |
| Duration | Single session with follow-up (timeline: Baseline, Pre-Intervention, Post-Intervention, Follow-up) |
| Key finding | 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.