LITERATURE REVIEW OF EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

The recent social situation and prevalence of natural disasters have increased the likelihood of children undergoing traumatic experience, heightening the demand and expectation for further research on effective treatment for childhood trauma. According to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (2005) and the World Health Organization (2013), the recommended treatments are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). However, few studies on these modes of therapy have targeted children to date. EMDR is a psychotherapy created by Francine Shapiro in 1989. While recognized as an effective treatment for trauma, there is comparatively little research on EMDR among children and adolescents. In this systematic literature review, we have sought to determine the current state and issues surrounding EMDR research overseas, for delving into the means of adapting EMDR for use with children in Japan. We reviewed 56 foreign and 32 domestic articles, which were classified into four types: assessments of effectiveness, reviews, clinical case studies, and other introductory reports. Among foreign articles, there were 20 assessments of effectiveness, 12 reviews, 18 case studies, and 6 other introductory reports endorsing EMDR as an effective mode of psychotherapy for children and adolescents. Review of these studies highlighted the need for basic research targeting specific issues using methodology allowing for accumulation of valid evidence. On the other hand, the domestic articles included no assessments on effectiveness or reviews, and were limited to 9 clinical case studies, and 23 other introductory reports. Clearly, more evidence is needed to establish both efficacy and reliability of EMDR in Japanese children, alongside stepped up study in both basic research and the clinical applications of EMDR.