Evaluation of the one-session Eye-movement Desensitization Reprocessing procedure for eliminating traumatic memories

Eye-movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new therapy technique originally reported to eliminate traumatic memories (rape, catastrophes) in one session. Early published research has tended to support the technique. However, there is controversy and at least one unpublished recent study by Rothbaum who reported only about one-half of her cases had successful outcomes. The present study was conducted as a preliminary evaluation in 1990. Our results were judged to be unsuccessful in five of eight cases and successful in three cases. Further, the cases with the most pathology improved the least. The techniques, cases, and outcomes are presented to provide additional data on this new and controversial therapeutic technique.