EMDR for panic disorder with agoraphobia: comparison with waiting list and credible attention-placebo control conditions

J Consult Clin Psychol. 2000 Dec;68(6):947-56.

Abstract

In a randomized controlled trial, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) was compared with both waiting list and credible attention-placebo control groups. EMDR was significantly better than waiting list for some outcome measures (questionnaire, diary, and interview measures of severity of anxiety, panic disorder, and agoraphobia) but not for others (panic attack frequency and anxious cognitions). However, low power and, for panic frequency, floor effects may account for these negative results. Differences between EMDR and the attention-placebo control condition were not statistically significant on any measure, and, in this case, the effect sizes were generally small (eta2 = .00-.06), suggesting the poor results for EMDR were not due to lack of power. Because there are established effective treatments such as cognitive-behavior therapy for PDA, these data, unless contradicted by future research, indicate EMDR should not be the first-line treatment for this disorder.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agoraphobia / diagnosis
  • Agoraphobia / psychology
  • Agoraphobia / therapy*
  • Attention
  • Desensitization, Psychologic*
  • Eye Movements*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Panic Disorder / diagnosis
  • Panic Disorder / psychology
  • Panic Disorder / therapy*
  • Personality Assessment
  • Waiting Lists