| dc.description.abstract | Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured comprehensive
therapeutic procedure that appears to desensitize the distressing emotions related to past
disturbing and traumatic events, while simultaneously restructuring related negative
cognitions and relieving accompanying physiological hyperarousal. This study evaluated
the effectiveness of a single ninety minute EMDR session in reducing the symptoms and
anxiety associated with test anxiety. It was hypothesized that EMDR would effectively
treat test anxiety by alleviating physiological distress, eliminating negative self-preoccupied
cognitions, and decreasing the fear of negative evaluation. Seventeen
second-year psychology students with test anxiety were randomly assigned to Immediate
treatment and Delayed treatment conditions. Standardized objective measures (the Test
Anxiety Inventory [TAI], the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, and the State Trait
Anxiety Inventory) were taken pre- and post-treatment and at two-month follow-up.
Results showed that EMDR significantly decreased the symptoms of test anxiety and
evaluation fears of the Immediate group compared to the Delayed group, with effects
being maintained at two-month follow-up. Large treatment effects were achieved and
were reflected in large drops in percentile ranking on the TAI. The Subjective Units of
Disturbance Scale and Validity of Cognition ratings also improved significantly, showing
large treatment effects, which is consistent with Shapiro’s findings of rapid and significant
reductions in presenting complaints and anxiety. When the Delayed group received
treatment, it was found that the effects of treatment were equivalent for the two groups.
One session of EMDR appears to be an effective treatment for test anxiety for students. | |
