A. exposure to anxiety-provoking stimuli
(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing -EMDR- is a controversial therapeutic technique which combines techniques from cognitive-behavioral and other treatment approaches with lateral eye movements. Clients receiving EMDR are asked to recall anxiety-provoking memories and are then instructed to track the therapists' fingers which are moved from side to side. This process is repeated until the clients' anxiety is extinguished. Although Francine Shapiro, the developer of the technique, originally proposed that the bilateral eye movements accelerate the reprocessing of traumatic memories, a meta-analysis of 34 studies indicated that the eye movement component did not contribute to the effectiveness of EMDR. Rather, it appears that the element of exposure is responsible for its effects. The meta-analysis did find EMDR to be more effective than no-treatment or non-exposure treatments; however, it was no more effective than other exposure techniques. -P. R. Davidson, & K. C. Parker, Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing -EMDR-: A meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2001, 69-2-, 305-316-.)