The Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Toward Adults With Major Depressive Disorder

A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Bibliographic Data

ID15519548
AuthorsShuya Yan (First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University), Yanyan Shan (0000-0001-7390-1297, Duke University), Shuming Zhong (First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University), Haofei Miao (0000-0003-1256-1203, Jinan University), Yange Luo (Jinan University), Hanglin Ran (Jinan University), Yanbin Jia (0000-0002-6104-8097, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume12
Pages700458-700458
Publication date2021-08-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.700458
PMID34421681
OpenAlexW3188391339
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited39

The practice-based evidence suggests that it is possible to use eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), but its specific efficacy is unknown. A systematic search was carried out for randomized controlled trials comparing EMDR with a control condition group in MDD patients. Two meta-analyses were conducted, with symptom reduction as primary outcome and remission as exploratory outcome. Eight studies with 320 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The first meta-analysis showed that EMDR outperformed "No Intervention" in decreasing depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.81, 95% CI = -1.22 to -0.39, p p = 0.25, very low certainty). The second showed the superiority of EMDR over CBT in reducing depressive symptoms (mean difference [MD] = -7.33, 95% CI = -8.26 to -6.39, p p = 0.004, very low certainty). Besides, anxiety symptoms and level of functioning could not be included as secondary outcome due to the lack of data. The present meta-analysis suggests that EMDR is more effective in treating MDD than "No Intervention" and CBT, particularly in individuals who have traumatic experience. However, this result should be considered with caution due to small sample size and low quality of trails

Anxiety · Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing · Intervention (counseling · Major depressive disorder · Meta-analysis · Mood · Posttraumatic stress · Psychiatry · Randomized controlled trial · Strictly standardized mean difference · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Tryptophan and brain disorders · Internal Medicine