Increases of correct memories and spontaneous false memories due to eye movements when memories are retrieved after a time delay

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. However, literature on possible adverse memory effects of EMDR is scarce. Using the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) false memory paradigm, we examined the susceptibility to spontaneous f...

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Published inBehaviour research and therapy Vol. 125; p. 103546
Main Authors Houben, Sanne T.L., Otgaar, Henry, Roelofs, Jeffrey, Smeets, Tom, Merckelbach, Harald
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2020
Elsevier Science Ltd
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Summary:Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. However, literature on possible adverse memory effects of EMDR is scarce. Using the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) false memory paradigm, we examined the susceptibility to spontaneous false memories after performing eye movements, as used in EMDR. In Experiment 1, 72 undergraduates received word lists containing negative and neutral associated words and immediately after this they were given a free recall and recognition test. In Experiment 2, 68 undergraduates underwent the free recall and recognition test 48 h later. During the free recall phase in both experiments, participants either performed eye movements or not (control condition). In Experiment 1, the two conditions did not differ statistically with regard to correct and false recall/recognition. In Experiment 2, correct memory rates were higher in the eye movement than in the control condition and this was accompanied by an increase in spontaneous false memories on both free recall and recognition. Although our experimental approach is far removed from clinical practice, our findings suggest that eye movements as used in EMDR might amplify both correct and false memory rates. •Eye movements did not increase correct memory when memory was tested directly.•Eye movements did not lead to more false memories when memory was tested directly.•Participants in the eye movement condition had higher delayed correct memory rates.•Performing eye movements led to more spontaneous false memories after a delay.
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ISSN:0005-7967
1873-622X
DOI:10.1016/j.brat.2019.103546