The Efficacy of EMDR: A Meta-analysis of EMDR as Clinical Treatment

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a controversial clinical treatment most often used in the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders. Many clinicians use this therapy, but no consensus exists whether this treatment works. This meta-analytic review examined EMDR versus waitlist or alternative treatments, in adult and child populations, and in reduction of depression and anxiety symptoms. Results indicate that EMDR has no significant effect in the reduction of symptoms in either population for either psychological disorder. Implications for further research are discussed