Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing intervention in preventing craving in alcohol use disorder: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim: This pilot study aimed to provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of addiction-focused eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (AF-EMDR) treatment on alcohol craving in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared to treatment as usual (TAU). Based on the adaptive information processing model, the change in craving severity and craving experience was examined by targeting craving memories thought to be located in episodic memory. Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Twenty-four patients with past or present AUD completed the study (nEMDR+TAU = 12; nTAU = 12). The intervention consisted of 3 sessions of AF-EMDR. Patients completed baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up measures assessing craving severity, craving experience, clinical symptoms, self-efficacy, and functionality. Results: Compared to the TAU, the craving severity of the EMDR + TAU decreased significantly after the intervention. The functionality level of the EMDR + TAU continued to increase after the intervention and at the 1-month follow-up. The level of self-efficacy between the groups did not differ after the intervention and yet that of the TAU decreased significantly at the 1-month follow-up. There was no significant difference between groups in craving experience and severity of clinical symptoms. Conclusion: Overall, the AF-EMDR protocol is new to the clinical field of addiction treatment. A limitation of the current study is the small sample size, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. It needs to be supported by future randomized controlled trials.