Bilateral stimulation
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Bilateral Stimulation is a generalization of a left and right repetitive eye movement technique firsts developed by EMDR practitioners. Subsequently research has attempted to correlate other types of rhythmic side-to-side stimuli, such as sound and touch, with mood, memory and cerebral hemispheric interaction.[1]
Role of Bilateral Stimulation in EMDR
Bilateral stimulation is a core element of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a common treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While the client thinks about distressing memories and feelings, the therapist uses external stimuli to facilitate bilateral stimulation.[2] The treatment originally used only left-to-right eye movements as the bilateral stimulus but other forms of stimuli, often physical vibration in combination with binaural sounds, are now commonly being used as alternatives. Proponents of EMDR therapy hypothesize that bilateral stimulation assists clients in the processing of painful or traumatizing memories.[3] In the most common form of treatment, the client focuses on a traumatic memory and the negative thoughts or feelings associated with that memory. The client then follows with their eyes while the therapist moves their finger or some other object in front of them from left to right. Alternatively, the therapist may choose to use other types of bilateral stimuli. The hypothesis is that doing this allows the client to access and reprocess negative memories, eventually leading to decreased psychological arousal associated with the memory.[4] Therapy then focuses on fostering a positive belief or emotion in the client.[3]
Types of bilateral stimulation
Eye movements are the main form of bilateral stimulation used for EMDR. Originally EMDR used only visual stimuli and the resulting eye movements to facilitate the therapy process. The creator of EMDR therapy, Francine Shapiro, postulated that eye movements in particular were a necessary part of the treatment. However, research found similar efficacy using other types of stimulation and other stimuli are now commonly used by EMDR practitioners.[5] These alternative stimuli include auditory stimuli that alternate between left and right speakers or headphones, and physical stimuli such as tapping of the therapist’s hands.[6]
References
- ^ Shapiro, Francine; Solomon, Roger M. (2010). "Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing". The Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology. pp. 547–552. doi:10.1002/9780470479216.corpsy0337. ISBN 978-0-470-47921-6.
- ^ Verstrael, Sietse; van der Wurff, Peter; Vermetten, Eric (July 2013). "Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as Treatment for Combat-Related PTSD: A Meta-Analysis". Military Behavioral Health. 1 (2): 68–73. doi:10.1080/21635781.2013.827088.
- ^ a b "What is EMDR? | EMDR Institute – EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING THERAPY". www.emdr.com. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
- ^ Boccia, Maddalena; Piccardi, Laura; Cordellieri, Pierluigi; Guariglia, Cecilia; Giannini, Anna Maria (21 April 2015). "EMDR therapy for PTSD after motor vehicle accidents: meta-analytic evidence for specific treatment". Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 9: 213. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00213. PMC 4404810. PMID 25954183.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Jeffries, Fiona W.; Davis, Paul (29 October 2012). "What is the Role of Eye Movements in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? A Review". Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy. 41 (3): 290–300. doi:10.1017/S1352465812000793. PMID 23102050. S2CID 33309479.
- ^ Rodenburg, Roos; Benjamin, Anja; de Roos, Carlijn; Meijer, Ann Marie; Stams, Geert Jan (November 2009). "Efficacy of EMDR in children: A meta-analysis". Clinical Psychology Review. 29 (7): 599–606. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.06.008. PMID 19616353.