Emotional Resolution Therapy for Anxiety

(CalmER Trial)

Overseen By Summer Mengelkoch, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Must not be taking: Beta blockers, Benzodiazepines

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Not fluent English, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 9 weeks

150 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are currently taking anxiety medications like Beta Blockers or Benzodiazepines, you cannot participate in this trial.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment EmRes, Emotional Resolution, and related mindfulness-based interventions for anxiety?

Research suggests that therapies focusing on emotional processing, like mindfulness-based interventions and EMDR, can help reduce anxiety by encouraging awareness and resolution of emotional distress. These treatments activate internal healing processes, which may be effective for anxiety as they have been for conditions like PTSD. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Emotional Resolution Therapy for Anxiety safe for humans?

The research articles provided do not contain specific safety data for Emotional Resolution Therapy or its related methods like EmRes or Mindfulness-Based Interventions. However, similar therapies like EMDR and therapeutic tapping, which involve non-invasive techniques, are generally considered safe for humans. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

How is the EmRes treatment for anxiety different from other treatments?

EmRes is unique because it focuses on resolving emotional distress by activating the body's natural healing processes, similar to how EMDR works for PTSD, but without the need for eye movements or other external stimuli. It emphasizes mindful processing of emotions to help the brain find answers and resolve distress. ^{1 2 9 10 11}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of the study is to conduct an initial test of the efficacy of Emotional Resolution (EmRes) therapy to reduce anxiety in healthcare workers. The investigators hypothesize EmRes will reduce levels of anxiety in participants compared to an active control group engaged in mindfulness-based gratitude.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthcare workers over 18 who are fluent in English and currently work in a hospital. They should have a Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) score of more than 5, indicating some level of anxiety, and must be able to give written consent to participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Must be able to provide written informed consent

Must be fluent in English

Must be a current healthcare worker in a hospital

Exclusion Criteria

Unable to provide written informed consent

Not working as a healthcare worker in a hospital

GAD score < 5

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either Emotional Resolution therapy or mindfulness-based gratitude intervention over six one-hour sessions via Zoom

9 weeks

6 sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in anxiety, stress, and burnout levels after treatment

18 weeks

2 assessments (virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• EmRes
• Mindfulness

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of Emotional Resolution (EmRes) therapy compared with mindfulness-based gratitude practices in reducing anxiety among healthcare workers.

Participant Groups

Group I: EmRes Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

There will be six, one hour, treatment sessions across nine weeks of an Emotional Resolution therapy intervention program, a post treatment assessment, and a follow up assessment three months later. The sessions will occur over zoom with a trained emotional resolution coach.

Group II: Mindfulness Active Control 1 Intervention

There will be six, one hour, treatment sessions across nine weeks of a mindfulness intervention program, a post treatment assessment, and a follow up assessment three months later. The sessions will occur over zoom with a trained member of the study staff.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

Findings from Research

Psychotherapy, particularly through methods like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), can effectively alter emotional distress by activating internal healing processes, especially in conditions like PTSD.

The anterior cingulate cortex is identified as a key brain region involved in the neurobiological mechanisms of psychotherapeutic relief, suggesting that targeted emotional processing can lead to significant improvements in mental health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychotherapy as assisted homeostasis: activation of emotional processing mediated by the anterior cingulate cortex. Corrigan, FM.[2004]

In a pilot study with 50 participants, an advanced version of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) significantly reduced both perceived anxiety and state-trait anxiety scores in the experimental group after just one 1-2 hour session.

Participants in the experimental group also showed improved physical performance under anxiety, indicating that the advanced EMDR not only helps in reducing anxiety but may also enhance functioning in stressful situations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing anxiety and enhancing physical performance by using an advanced version of EMDR: a pilot study. Rathschlag, M., Memmert, D.[2022]

In a study of 17 patients with anxiety and depressive disorders, lower levels of expressive suppression (ES) before undergoing the unified protocol (UP) for cognitive behavioral therapy were linked to greater improvements in anxiety symptoms after treatment.

The results suggest that addressing and improving ES could enhance the effectiveness of the UP, indicating that emotion regulation plays a crucial role in therapy outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Expressive suppression of emotion is a moderator of anxiety in a unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders: A secondary analysis. Hosogoshi, H., Takebayashi, Y., Ito, M., et al.[2021]

An integrative approach combining Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PP) offers a new effective method for treating anxiety disorders by focusing on processing and transforming repressed emotions.

The proposed treatment involves three phases: initiating treatment, working through anxiety, and termination, emphasizing emotional processing and insight into personal conflicts rather than traditional exposure to anxiety-inducing situations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treating anxiety disorders by emotion-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (EFPP)-An integrative, transdiagnostic approach. Beutel, ME., Greenberg, L., Lane, RD., et al.[2019]

Recent studies show that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can effectively eliminate PTSD symptoms in 84 to 100% of single-trauma victims after just three 90-minute sessions, highlighting its rapid efficacy.

The article emphasizes the importance of adhering to specific EMDR protocols and procedures, as misconceptions about the treatment's reliance on eye movements can undermine its clinical validity and effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and the anxiety disorders: clinical and research implications of an integrated psychotherapy treatment. Shapiro, F.[2022]

In a study with 41 undergraduate students experiencing test anxiety, those who underwent Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with eye movements reported significantly lower anxiety levels compared to those who did not use eye movements.

All participants showed a decrease in anxiety regardless of the treatment condition, indicating that EMDR may be effective for reducing anxiety symptoms, but the eye movement component appears to enhance this effect.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in the treatment of test anxiety: a study of the effects of expectancy and eye movement. Gosselin, P., Matthews, WJ.[2019]

In a study involving 26 children with spider phobia, exposure in vivo was found to be the most effective treatment, leading to significant improvements in self-reported fear and behavioral avoidance after just 2.5 hours.

While EMDR showed some effectiveness in reducing self-reported fear, it did not enhance the outcomes of subsequent exposure therapy, indicating that traditional exposure methods are preferable for treating childhood spider phobia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treating phobic children: effects of EMDR versus exposure. Muris, P., Merckelbach, H., Holdrinet, I., et al.[2019]

Therapeutic tapping, which combines acupressure with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), has been shown to effectively reduce anxiety symptoms after just one session, indicating its potential as a quick intervention.

The study found that tapping specifically reduced neural responses to angry stimuli, suggesting it may help improve emotion regulation in anxiety patients, while a control intervention (Progressive Muscle Relaxation) primarily affected responses to fearful stimuli.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Therapeutic Tapping Can Alter Neural Correlates of Emotional Prosody Processing in Anxiety. König, N., Steber, S., Seebacher, J., et al.[2020]

In a study involving 12 clients, resolution sessions where clients vividly described problematic situations led to higher emotional arousal and differentiation of feelings compared to non-resolution sessions.

Clients reported an immediate change in mood following these vivid descriptions, suggesting that detailed narrative can enhance emotional processing and support therapeutic outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The relationship between vivid description, emotional arousal, and in-session resolution of problematic reactions. Watson, JC.[2019]

The author transformed from a follower of liberal psychoanalysis to a therapist by successfully applying in vivo desensitization techniques on himself to overcome his social and performance anxiety.

He developed rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), a foundational form of cognitive-behavior therapy, which he integrated with emotional-evocative methods to address criticism of his active-directive approach.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Why I (really) became a therapist. Ellis, A.[2005]

Emotion dysregulation is commonly seen in trauma-related disorders and can significantly impact the effectiveness of therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is well-supported for treating PTSD.

Understanding specific patterns of emotion dysregulation can help tailor EMDR treatment to individual patients, suggesting that therapy should adapt to the predominant emotion-regulation strategies present in various posttraumatic disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrating neurobiology of emotion regulation and trauma therapy: reflections on EMDR therapy. González, A., Del Río-Casanova, L., Justo-Alonso, A.[2018]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychotherapy as assisted homeostasis: activation of emotional processing mediated by the anterior cingulate cortex. [2004]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing anxiety and enhancing physical performance by using an advanced version of EMDR: a pilot study. [2022]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Expressive suppression of emotion is a moderator of anxiety in a unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders: A secondary analysis. [2021]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treating anxiety disorders by emotion-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (EFPP)-An integrative, transdiagnostic approach. [2019]

5. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and the anxiety disorders: clinical and research implications of an integrated psychotherapy treatment. [2022]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in the treatment of test anxiety: a study of the effects of expectancy and eye movement. [2019]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treating phobic children: effects of EMDR versus exposure. [2019]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Therapeutic Tapping Can Alter Neural Correlates of Emotional Prosody Processing in Anxiety. [2020]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The relationship between vivid description, emotional arousal, and in-session resolution of problematic reactions. [2019]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Why I (really) became a therapist. [2005]

11. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrating neurobiology of emotion regulation and trauma therapy: reflections on EMDR therapy. [2018]