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Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

Working Memory

414
Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
414
Traumatic Memory01:20

Traumatic Memory

161
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual...
161
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder01:27

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

87
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
87
Flashbulb Memory01:16

Flashbulb Memory

124
A flashbulb memory is a highly vivid and detailed memory, often linked to events of significant emotional impact. These memories stand out in contrast to everyday memories due to their clarity and the precision with which they are recalled. The strong emotions associated with the event act as a catalyst, ensuring that specific details, such as one's location, actions, and even peripheral elements, are etched into memory with remarkable accuracy. For example, many people can vividly recall...
124
Chunking and Rehearsal in Sensory Memory01:22

Chunking and Rehearsal in Sensory Memory

272
Improving short-term memory can be achieved through techniques like chunking and rehearsal. Chunking involves organizing information into larger, more manageable units. This technique is particularly useful for information that exceeds the typical memory span of between five and nine items. For instance, logging into an online account with a password like "ta89vq0179gz" involves grouping letters and numbers into three chunks—ta89, vq01, and 79gz. It makes large amounts of...
272
Repressed Memory01:16

Repressed Memory

145
Repressed memories are a psychological phenomenon where memories of traumatic events are unconsciously blocked from a person's awareness. This process occurs as a defense mechanism, protecting the mind from the emotional impact of distressing or painful experiences. For example, a person who has experienced childhood trauma may grow up with no conscious recollection of the event. In such cases, the memories are thought to be buried deep within the subconscious, inaccessible to the conscious...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Developing Neuroimaging Phenotypes of the Default Mode Network in PTSD: Integrating the Resting State, Working Memory, and Structural Connectivity
10:43

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Can working memory account for EMDR efficacy in PTSD?

Dany Laure Wadji1,2, C Martin-Soelch3, V Camos4

  • 1I-Reach Lab, Unit of Clinical and Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. dany.nkonlack@unifr.ch.

BMC Psychology
|November 2, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) may reduce PTSD symptoms by engaging working memory (WM). Dual-tasking during recall lessens memory vividness and emotionality, supporting the WM hypothesis for EMDR

Keywords:
Bilateral stimulationDual taxationEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Eye movementPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Working memory

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Trauma Studies

Background:

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective PTSD treatment but its mechanisms remain unclear.
  • The working memory (WM) hypothesis suggests dual-tasking during recall reduces traumatic memory vividness and emotionality.
  • This study investigates if the WM hypothesis explains EMDR's therapeutic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the working memory (WM) hypothesis as an explanation for EMDR's effectiveness in PTSD treatment.
  • To determine if dual-tasking during traumatic memory recall reduces vividness and emotionality.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines.
  • Analysis of 11 studies with participants diagnosed with PTSD and those without.
  • Comparison of dual-task recall conditions versus control (recall alone).

Main Results:

  • Dual-tasking significantly reduced the vividness and emotionality of traumatic memory recall across study types.
  • This effect was observed when comparing dual-task conditions to single-task recall.
  • Follow-up tests indicated that the reduction in vividness and emotionality may not be long-lasting.

Conclusions:

  • The findings support the working memory (WM) hypothesis for EMDR.
  • Recalling traumatic memories with a secondary task diverts attention, reducing memory impact.
  • This mechanism contributes to symptom reduction in PTSD treatment.