Understanding the Differences in Bilateral Stimulation Effects
Understanding the Differences in Bilateral Stimulation Effects: Insights from Recent Research
At Dharma Dr., we’re passionate about the potential of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and the bilateral stimulation (BLS) tools that are central to its effectiveness. Recently many innovative products, such as EMDR tappers, EMDR buzzers, and other bilateral stimulation tools, have been designed to help therapists and clients address trauma more effectively. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology explored the physiological and subjective differences between PTSD patients and healthy individuals when subjected to bilateral stimulation during emotional induction (a process of evoking specific emotions). This blog post will reflect on that study, titled "Apples and Oranges: PTSD Patients and Healthy Individuals are Not Comparable in Their Subjective and Physiological Responding to Emotion Induction and Bilateral Stimulation," and highlight its relevance to the broader field of EMDR therapy.
Bilateral Stimulation and Its Role in EMDR Therapy
Bilateral stimulation is a core element of EMDR therapy, involving rhythmic alternation of sensory stimuli, such as tactile stimulation through EMDR equipment like Dharma Dr.’s hand buzzers. This process helps patients process traumatic memories by engaging both hemispheres of the brain, which can lead to significant emotional relief and cognitive shifts.
The recent study aimed to compare how patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and healthy individuals respond to emotional stimuli and bilateral stimulation. While previous research has indicated the effectiveness of bilateral stimulation in reducing distress in healthy individuals, this study focused on whether the same effects could be generalized to PTSD patients. The study used EMDR bilateral stimulation tools during emotional induction tasks.
Key Findings: Subjective vs. Physiological Responses
Subjective Emotional Responses
One of the primary findings of the study is that both healthy individuals and PTSD patients experienced reduced subjective distress when confronted with negative emotional scripts under bilateral stimulation. This confirms the anecdotal experiences of therapists using EMDR buzzers and other EMDR tappers, who report seeing their clients feel calmer after sessions that use these EMDR devices.
Interestingly, healthy individuals also reported an increased attention to positive emotional scripts when exposed to bilateral stimulation. This suggests that BLS can enhance emotional engagement in situations involving positive emotions, making it a versatile tool not only for trauma but also for reinforcing positive memories. However, in PTSD patients, the effects were primarily limited to a reduction in negative emotional experiences, with no significant enhancement of positive emotional engagement.
Physiological Responses: A Stark Contrast
The study also looked at physiological markers such as the startle reflex and skin conductance responses. In healthy individuals, bilateral stimulation led to a measurable reduction in startle reflex response and an increase in skin conductance during positive emotional scripts. This suggests that bilateral stimulation helps regulate both distress and attention in non-traumatized individuals.
For PTSD patients, however, the story was different. While they reported subjective emotional relief, there were no corresponding physiological changes. This discrepancy between subjective and physiological responses highlights the unique challenges faced by individuals with PTSD. It suggests that while bilateral stimulation might help these patients feel better subjectively, their physiological responses remain dysregulated. This could be due to the heightened hyperarousal and dissociative tendencies often seen in PTSD.
Implications for EMDR Equipment and Practice
Bilateral Stimulation for Healthy Individuals
For those working with non-traumatized individuals, bilateral stimulation through tools like our EMDR tappers and buzzers is shown to be highly effective in managing both distress and enhancing positive emotional engagement. These findings support the continued use of EMDR devices in therapeutic settings to help regulate emotional responses during difficult conversations, meditation, or relaxation exercises.
We at Dharma Dr. encourage therapists and clients to experiment with our EMDR bilateral stimulation tool in various contexts, not just trauma processing. The ability of EMDR tappers to improve focus and engagement with positive emotions could make them useful for mindfulness practices and stress reduction, extending the benefits of EMDR equipment beyond the traditional therapeutic setting.
Bilateral Stimulation for PTSD Patients
The findings for PTSD patients, however, suggest that while EMDR buzzers may help reduce subjective distress, therapists may need to be aware that this relief may not be accompanied by immediate physiological changes. For therapists, this means that additional therapeutic strategies, possibly combined with slower bilateral stimulation techniques or adjunct treatments, may be necessary to address the deeper physiological dysregulation seen in PTSD.
As the study highlights, PTSD patients might benefit from a longer duration of bilateral stimulation to achieve physiological shifts, something Dharma Dr.’s BLS devices are equipped to provide. It’s important to note that while the subjective emotional relief is promising, the lack of physiological change indicates the need for comprehensive, long-term treatment approaches when working with trauma survivors.
The Role of EMDR Hand Buzzers and Tappers in Clinical Settings
At Dharma Dr., our wireless bilateral stimulation device is designed to deliver consistent and rhythmic stimulation, helping therapists facilitate deep emotional processing. This study reinforces the idea that the type of stimulation (bilateral versus monolateral) plays a crucial role in achieving therapeutic outcomes.
The researchers found that monolateral stimulation did not produce the same benefits as bilateral stimulation. For example, in neutral emotional scenarios, monolateral stimulation increased arousal without providing the relief seen with bilateral stimulation. This emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the tools used in EMDR therapy, such as EMDR hand buzzers, are optimized to deliver true bilateral stimulation rather than simply alternating or single-side inputs.
Practical Considerations for EMDR Therapy
For therapists and mental health professionals, this research serves as a reminder to tailor the use of EMDR equipment based on the individual needs of clients. While EMDR bilateral stimulation is effective for many, those with PTSD may require additional support to translate subjective emotional relief into physiological regulation.
As the study suggests, combining EMDR therapy with other treatments targeting physiological dysregulation, such as mindfulness, biofeedback, or pharmacotherapy, could enhance the overall effectiveness of therapy for PTSD patients. EMDR buzzers and other tools can still play a crucial role in providing the initial emotional relief necessary to begin deeper therapeutic work.
Conclusion: The Power of EMDR Devices in Therapy
In conclusion, the recent study sheds light on the differences in how PTSD patients and healthy individuals respond to bilateral stimulation. For healthy individuals, EMDR equipment like Dharma Dr.’s wireless tappers can reduce distress and enhance positive engagement. For PTSD patients, the effects are more complex, with subjective relief not always matched by physiological change.
At Dharma Dr., we remain committed to advancing the field of EMDR by providing high-quality, reliable bilateral stimulation tools that help therapists and clients achieve their therapeutic goals. Whether you’re a therapist looking to enhance your practice or an individual seeking tools to support your own emotional well-being, Dharma Dr.’s sleek BLS tabs are designed with your needs in mind.
By continuing to explore and refine the use of EMDR devices, we hope to contribute to the ongoing healing journeys of those who have experienced trauma, while also offering effective solutions for emotional regulation in everyday life.
References
Pape, V., Sammer, G., Hanewald, B., Schäflein, E., Rauschenbach, F., & Stingl, M. (2024). Apples and oranges: PTSD patients and healthy individuals are not comparable in their subjective and physiological responding to emotion induction and bilateral stimulation. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article 1406180. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1406180