Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310028, Zhejiang, China.
Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310028, Zhejiang, China.
Behav Res Ther. 2023 Jun;165:104311. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104311. Epub 2023 Apr 8.
Bilateral eye movement (EM) is a critical component in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the role of bilateral EM in alleviating trauma-related symptoms is unclear. Here we hypothesize that bilateral EM selectively disrupts the perceptual representation of traumatic memories. We used the trauma film paradigm as an analog for trauma experience. Nonclinical participants viewed trauma films followed by a bilateral EM intervention or a static Fixation period as a control. Perceptual and semantic memories for the film were assessed with different measures. Results showed a significant decrease in perceptual memory recognition shortly after the EM intervention and subsequently in the frequency and vividness of film-related memory intrusions across one week, relative to the Fixation condition. The EM intervention did not affect the explicit recognition of semantic memories, suggesting a dissociation between perceptual and semantic memory disruption. Furthermore, the EM intervention effectively reduced psychophysiological affective responses, including the skin conductance response and pupil size, to film scenes and subjective affective ratings of film-related intrusions. Together, bilateral EMs effectively reduce the perceptual representation and affective response of trauma-related memories. Further theoretical developments are needed to elucidate the mechanism of bilateral EMs in trauma treatment.
双眼运动（EM）是眼动脱敏再处理（EMDR）的一个关键组成部分，EMDR 是一种治疗创伤后应激障碍的有效方法。然而，双眼 EM 在减轻与创伤相关的症状方面的作用尚不清楚。在这里，我们假设双眼 EM 选择性地破坏了创伤记忆的知觉表征。我们使用创伤电影范式作为创伤体验的模拟。非临床参与者观看创伤电影，随后进行双眼 EM 干预或固定期作为对照。使用不同的测量方法评估了对电影的知觉和语义记忆。结果表明，在 EM 干预后不久，以及在接下来的一周内，与固定期相比，对电影的知觉记忆识别显著下降，并且与电影相关的记忆闯入的频率和生动性也随之下降。EM 干预并未影响语义记忆的外显识别，表明知觉记忆和语义记忆的破坏存在分离。此外，EM 干预有效地降低了对电影场景的生理心理反应，包括皮肤电导反应和瞳孔大小，以及对电影相关闯入的主观情感评价。总之，双眼 EM 有效地减少了与创伤相关的记忆的知觉表征和情感反应。需要进一步的理论发展来阐明 EMDR 治疗创伤的机制。
