Speed matters: relationship between speed of eye movements and modification of aversive autobiographical memories

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based
treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. The working memory (WM)
theory explains the effectivity of EMDR: recall of the memory image and eye
movements (EM) both tax the limited WM capacity and this competition leads to
memory images that are less vivid and emotional. Currently, EMDR is a standardized treatment and patients typically receive the same dual task manipulation of 1 EM cycle per second (1 Hz). Recent insights from experimental studies challenge the efficacy of this “one-size fits all” approach. The aim of the current research was to test whether titration based on image vividness enhances the effects of dual-task manipulation on aversive memories. We hypothesized that highly vivid images are more affected by high WM taxation and less vivid images are more affected by low WM taxation. Data revealed a consistent pattern for all outcome measures: high WM taxation was superior to low WM taxation and no WM taxation, and the effects of low taxation felt consistently in between the effects of high taxation and RO, but only differed significantly from high taxation. Crucially, image vividness did not interact with condition on the decrease of emotionality over time.