An investigation of some hypothetical mechanisms underlying EMDR

The few evaluative reports of eye movement desensitization and restructuring (EMDR) published so far are reviewed. Data suggest that, although it appears to be an effective treatment for many types of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, little has been written regarding the underlying processes by which EMDR reduces trauma-related aversive psychophysiological responses. One hypothetical explanation is based upon “mental relaxation”, perhaps involving production of alpha activity from ocular defocusing, and data are presented from EEG and ECG measures. © 1996 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.