Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Eye Movements during Positive Closure - A Patient Study

Abstract

Background: Positive closure constitutes the seventh step in the EMDR protocol. It is thought to increase the patient’s belief in a chosen positive verbal material. According to the working memory theory, making eye movements creates a less positive emotional state. Methods: This study investigated the effect of eye movements during positive closure regarding the belief in and emotionality of positive verbal material. It was decided for a 2 (Time) x 2 (Condition) repeated measures within-subject design. The positive verbal material consisted of two positive personal characteristics, which were chosen from a list by the patients themselves. This study provided baseline, pre-test and post-test ratings of each positive personal characteristic to measure the degree of belief and emotionality. The patients underwent two conditions: eye movements and eye stationary. 34 patients were included in the study. Results: Eye movements did not show positive nor negative effects on the degree of belief and emotionality during positive closure. Conclusion: During positive closure (seventh step of the EMDR protocol) there was no difference found between eye movement versus eye stationary. In line with that outcome, it was concluded that positive closure does not have an effect on the patient and is inert. These findings do not confirm adaptive processing theory or working memory hypothesis. Clinical implications are discussed.