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Updated: May 22, 2026
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Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotional Autobiographical Recollection
Published on: August 26, 2011
Time-course of eye movement-related decrease in vividness and emotionality of unpleasant autobiographical memories
Monique A M Smeets1, M Willem Dijs, Iva Pervan
1Clinical & Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.a.m.smeets@uu.nl
Memory (Hove, England)
|April 28, 2012
Summary
Eye movements in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy reduce memory vividness first, followed by emotionality. This finding supports working memory theories of EMDR.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Trauma Therapy
Background:
- Autobiographical memories carry emotional and vivid components.
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic technique involving eye movements.
- The precise temporal dynamics of EMDR's effects on memory are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the time-course of changes in vividness and emotionality of unpleasant autobiographical memories during EMDR.
- To compare the effects of eye movements (EM) versus eyes stationary (ES) conditions.
Main Methods:
- Participants recalled unpleasant autobiographical memories.
- Vividness and emotionality were rated before and during a 96-second intervention (EM or ES).
- Ratings were taken at specific intervals: 2, 4, 6, 10 seconds, and larger intervals up to 96 seconds.
Main Results:
- A significant drop in emotionality was observed at 74 seconds in the EM group compared to ES.
- A significant drop in vividness occurred much earlier, at 2 seconds, in the EM group.
- Emotionality reduction was dependent on prior reduction in vividness.
Conclusions:
- Eye movements primarily impact memory vividness first, then emotionality.
- Findings align with working memory and visual imagery theories.
- Interference with visual memory refreshment by eye movements may explain the observed effects.
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