Psychotherapeutic Techniques for Distressing Memories: A Comparative Study between EMDR, Brainspotting, and Body Scan Meditation

Fabio D’Antoni, Alessio Matiz, Franco Fabbro and Cristiano Crescentini
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Fabio D’Antoni: Maternal Infant Services Unit of Udine, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata Friuli Centrale (ASUFC), 33100 Udine, Italy
Alessio Matiz: Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
Franco Fabbro: Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
Cristiano Crescentini: Department of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: Objectives: We explored the effects of a single 40-min session of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting (BSP), and Body Scan Meditation (BSM) in the processing of distressing memories reported by a non-clinical sample of adult participants. Design: A within-subject design was used. Methods: Participants ( n = 40 Psychologists/MDs) reported four distressing memories, each of which treated with a single intervention. EMDR, BSP, and BSM were compared with each other, and with a Book Reading (BR) active control condition, using as dependent measures, SUD (Subjective Units of Disturbance) and Memory Telling Duration (MTD) on a 4-point timeline: Baseline, Pre-Intervention, Post-Intervention, Follow-up. Results: SUD scores associated with EMDR, BSP, and BSM significantly decreased from Pre- to Post-Intervention ( p < 0.001). At Post-Intervention and Follow-up, EMDR and BSP SUD scores were significantly lower than BSM and BR scores ( p < 0.02). At both Post-Intervention and Follow-up, BSM SUD scores were lower than BR scores ( p < 0.01). A reduction in MTD was observed from Pre- to Post-Intervention for EMDR and BSP conditions ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: Overall, results showed beneficial effects of single sessions of EMDR, BSP, or BSM in the processing of healthy adults’ distressing memories. Study limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Keywords: psychotherapy; distressing memories; EMDR; Brainspotting; body scan meditation; mindfulness; bottom-up therapy; body-oriented intervention; trauma; stress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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