On the applicability of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as an intervention in dogs with fear and anxiety disorders after a traumatic event
Open Access
- 28 September 2021
- Vol. 158 (14-15), 1471-1487
- https://doi.org/10.1163/1568539x-bja10123
Abstract
Fear and anxiety disorders are prevalent in dogs. These disorders are not adequately resolved by current interventions, which urges exploration of additional interventions. In humans, fear and anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are effectively treated by Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological intervention involving bilateral sensory stimulation while memorizing the traumatic event, resulting in decreased emotionality of the memory. We argue EMDR might be applied as an intervention for fear and anxiety disorders in dogs, adding to the currently available interventions for the field of Clinical Ethology. Particularly nonverbal EMDR protocols used in preverbal children can be applied and the setup can be adapted for dogs. Future research should focus on the development of nonverbal EMDR protocols including proper controls, and on clinical effectiveness of such EMDR protocols for dogs. Apart from behavioural measures, psychophysiological variables should be incorporated as well. Fear and anxiety disorders are prevalent in dogs. These disorders are not adequately resolved by current interventions, which urges exploration of additional interventions. In humans, fear and anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are effectively treated by Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological intervention involving bilateral sensory stimulation while memorizing the traumatic event, resulting in decreased emotionality of the memory. We argue EMDR might be applied as an intervention for fear and anxiety disorders in dogs, adding to the currently available interventions for the field of Clinical Ethology. Particularly nonverbal EMDR protocols used in preverbal children can be applied and the setup can be adapted for dogs. Future research should focus on the development of nonverbal EMDR protocols including proper controls, and on clinical effectiveness of such EMDR protocols for dogs. Apart from behavioural measures, psychophysiological variables should be incorporated as well. Fear and anxiety disorders are prevalent in dogs. These disorders are not adequately resolved by current interventions, which urges exploration of additional interventions. In humans, fear and anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are effectively treated by Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological intervention involving bilateral sensory stimulation while memorizing the traumatic event, resulting in decreased emotionality of the memory. We argue EMDR might be applied as an intervention for fear and anxiety disorders in dogs, adding to the currently available interventions for the field of Clinical Ethology. Particularly nonverbal EMDR protocols used in preverbal children can be applied and the setup can be adapted for dogs. Future research should focus on the development of nonverbal EMDR protocols including proper controls, and on clinical effectiveness of such EMDR protocols for dogs. Apart from behavioural measures, psychophysiological variables should be incorporated as well. Fear and anxiety disorders are prevalent in dogs. These disorders are not adequately resolved by current interventions, which urges exploration of additional interventions. In humans, fear and anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are effectively treated by Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a non-invasive and non-pharmacological intervention involving bilateral sensory stimulation while memorizing the traumatic event, resulting in decreased emotionality of the memory. We argue EMDR might be applied as an intervention for fear and anxiety disorders in dogs, adding to the currently available interventions for the field of Clinical Ethology. Particularly nonverbal EMDR protocols used in preverbal children can be applied and the setup can be adapted for dogs. Future research should focus on the development of nonverbal EMDR protocols including proper controls, and on clinical effectiveness of such EMDR protocols for dogs. Apart from behavioural measures, psychophysiological variables should be incorporated as well.Keywords
This publication has 77 references indexed in Scilit:
- Animal models of post-traumatic stress disorder: face validityFrontiers in Neuroscience, 2013
- Amygdala Volume Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Large Case-Controlled Veterans GroupArchives of General Psychiatry, 2012
- Continued Distress among Abandoned Dogs in FukushimaScientific Reports, 2012
- Functional MRI in Awake Unrestrained DogsPLOS ONE, 2012
- Validity of model devices used to assess canine temperament in behavioral testsApplied Animal Behaviour Science, 2012
- The Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitizationand Reprocessing in the Treatment of TraumatizedChildren and YouthJournal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2012
- Decreased Prefrontal Cortical Volume Associated with Increased Bedtime Cortisol in Traumatized YouthBiological Psychiatry, 2010
- Neurobiological Basis of Failure to Recall Extinction Memory in Posttraumatic Stress DisorderBiological Psychiatry, 2009
- A wait-list controlled pilot study of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms from motor vehicle accidentsClinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 2009
- EMDR treatment for children with PTSD: Results of a randomized controlled trialNordic Journal of Psychiatry, 2007