title: Neurophysiological correlates of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing sessions: preliminary evidence for traumatic memories integration.
abstract: We have investigated the potential role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in enhancing the integration of traumatic memories by measuring EEG coherence, power spectra and autonomic variables before (pre-EMDR) and after (post-EMDR) EMDR sessions during the recall of patient's traumatic memory. Thirteen EMDR sessions of six patients with post-traumatic stress disorder were recorded. EEG analyses were conducted by means of the standardized Low Resolution Electric Tomography (sLORETA) software. Power spectra, EEG coherence and heart rate variability (HRV) were compared between pre- and post-EMDR sessions. After EMDR, we observed a significant increase of alpha power in the left inferior temporal gyrus (T = 3.879; P = 0.041) and an increased EEG coherence in beta band between C3 and T5 electrodes (T = 6.358; P < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant increase of HRV in the post-EMDR sessions was also observed (pre-EMDR: 6.38 ± 6.83; post-EMDR: 2.46 ± 2.95; U-Test = 45, P = 0.043). Finally, the values of lagged coherence were negatively associated with subjective units of disturbance (r(24) = -0.44, P < 0.05) and positively associated with parasympathetic activity (r(24) = 0.40, P < 0.05). Our results suggest that EMDR leads to an integration of dissociated aspects of traumatic memories and, consequently, a decrease of hyperarousal symptoms [Correction made here after initial publication].
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Sciences, Università Europea, Rome, Italy.|Unit for Treatment of Trauma, Centro Clinico De Sanctis, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Benedetto
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Sciences, Università Europea, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Imperatori
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Sciences, Università Europea, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Quintiliani
authors.affiliation: Unit for Treatment of Trauma, Centro Clinico De Sanctis, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castelli Gattinara
authors.affiliation: Unit for Treatment of Trauma, Centro Clinico De Sanctis, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Onofri
authors.affiliation: Unit for Treatment of Trauma, Centro Clinico De Sanctis, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lepore
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Sciences, Università Europea, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brunetti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Losurdo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Testani
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Della Marca
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D057169:Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EEG Power Spectra; EEG coherence; eye movement desensitization and reprocessing; post-traumatic stress disorder; standardized Low Resolution Electric Tomography