J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2004 Jan;43(1):113-118.

A Case Series of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in 30 Psychiatric Patients: Korean Experience

• Kim D
• Kim KI

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an emerging psychotherapeutic technique for posttraumatic stress disorder and other conditions associated with psychological trauma. The effectiveness of this technique has been reported among North American and European populations; however, research on it's effectiveness among other ethnocultural groups is sparse. This is the first clinical study of EMDR in Korea with 30 Korean psychiatric patients in two clinical settings.
METHODS
Diagnostically heterogeneous group of 30 psychiatric patients underwent a mean of 3.13 (95%CI=2.54-3.73) sessions of EMDR. The Clinical Global Impression-Change scale (CGI-C) was administered one week and six months after the termination of treatment.
RESULTS
Participants had a mean CGI-C score of 1.80 (95%CI=1.44-2.16). We designated as 'responders' those who were 'very much improved' or 'much improved' on the CGI-C, 23 (77%) After six months, 19/23 (83%) still characterized as remaimed responders. All the patients with posttraumatic stress disorder, phobia, and grief reaction were responders, and those with personality disorder nonresponders. Results for depressive and other disorders were mixed.
CONCLUSION
Despite methodological limitations, results from this study suggest that the EMDR can be applied to Korean psychiatric patients.

Keyword

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing; Posttraumatic stress disorders; Trauma; Cultural characteristics

MeSH Terms

Cultural Characteristics
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
Eye Movements*
Grief
Humans
Korea
Personality Disorders
Phobic Disorders
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic