CompletedNot Applicable

Neural Basis of the Effect of EMDR Therapy

Italy46 participantsStarted 2025-01-08

Plain-language summary

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a single session of Butterfly Tapping (BT), a self-administered form of alternating bilateral stimulation, on emotional reactivity and its neurophysiological correlates. 46 participants will be randomly assigned to an experimental (Exp) or control (Con) group. The Exp group performed a 15-minute session of BT. Emotional reactivity was assessed before and after the stimulation using a detection task with emotional visual stimuli, presented during electroencephalographic (EEG) recording. EEG analyses were conducted using the event-related potential (ERP) method, specifically focusing on the differential amplitude (negative minus neutral) of the Late Positive Potential (LPP), a centro-parietal component associated with sustained processing of emotionally salient stimuli. Results revealed a significant LPP reduction in the Exp group at T1 compared to T0, whereas no change emerged in the Con group. The topographical distribution of the modulation was predominantly central, consistent with models implicating the LPP in higher-order integrative and evaluative processes. These findings provide preliminary neurophysiological evidence that BT may reduce cortical reactivity to negative emotional stimuli in young clinical populations, supporting its potential as a simple and accessible strategy capable of modulating affective responsiveness.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * normal or corrected-to-normal vision; full right-handedness Exclusion Criteria: * neurological or other psychiatric disorders tha PTSD; current use of psychoactive medications.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

LPP

Timeframe: Baseline, End of Treatment (8-12 weeks), and Follow-up (8 weeks after treatment completion)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07550556

SponsorUniversity of Rome Foro Italico

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-07-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder trials