title: Effect of Ocular Movements during Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: A Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapeutic treatment resolving emotional distress caused by traumatic events. With EMDR, information processing is facilitated by eye movements (EM) during the recall of a traumatic memory (RECALL). The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ocular movements of EMDR on the hemodynamics of the prefrontal cortex (PFC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups were recruited: a trial group (wEM) received a complete EMDR treatment, whereas a control group (woEM) received a therapy without EM. PFC hemodynamics was monitored by near-infrared spectroscopy during RECALL and during focusing on the worst image of the trauma (pre-RECALL). The parameters of oxy- (oxy-Hb), and deoxy-hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb) were acquired and analyzed in time domain, by calculating the slope within pre-RECALL and RECALL periods, and in the frequency domain, by calculating the mean power of oxy-Hb and deoxy-Hb in the very-low frequency (VLF, 20-40 mHz) and low frequency (LF, 40-140 mHz) bandwidths. We compared pre-RECALL with RECALL periods within subjects, and pre-RECALL and RECALL parameters of wEM with the corresponding of woEM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An effect of group on mean slope of oxy-Hb and deoxy-Hb in pre-RECALL and oxy-Hb in RECALL periods was observed. wEM showed a lower percentage of positive angular coefficients during pre-RECALL with respect to RECALL, on the opposite of woEM. In the frequency domain, wEM had significant difference in oxy-Hb and deoxy-Hb LF of left hemisphere, whereas woEM showed no difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We observed the effect of EM on PFC oxygenation during EMDR, since wEM subjects showed a mean increase of oxy-Hb during RECALL and a decrease during pre-RECALL, as opposed to woEM. Frequency analysis evidenced a reduction of activity of sympathetic nervous system in wEM group during pre-RECALL. Our outcomes revealed a different hemodynamics induced by eye movements in wEM with respect to woEM group.
authors: Biolab, Department of Electronics and Telecommunication, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors: Daniele
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7170-7052
authors: D
authors: Rimini
authors: Biolab, Department of Electronics and Telecommunication, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Molinari
authors: "Un Passo Insieme" ONLUS Foundation, Valdellatorre, Torino, Italy.
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Liboni
authors: EMDR Italy Association, Bovisio Masciago (MB), Italy.
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Balbo
authors: EMDR Italy Association, Bovisio Masciago (MB), Italy.
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Darò
authors: EMDR Italy Association, Bovisio Masciago (MB), Italy.
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Viotti
authors: EMDR Italy Association, Bovisio Masciago (MB), Italy.
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Fernandez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D057169:Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D010108:Oxyhemoglobins