University of Twente Student Theses

Digital EMDR : does an increase in task complexity by combining visual and auditory tasks and presenting them serially or parallel enhance a higher working memory taxation?

Heibrock, M. (2022) Digital EMDR : does an increase in task complexity by combining visual and auditory tasks and presenting them serially or parallel enhance a higher working memory taxation?

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Full Text Status:	Access to this publication is restricted
Embargo date:	28 July 2024
Abstract:	Background and objectives: Posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) can be effectively treated with eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Moving the eyes and simultaneously recalling the memory tax the limited capacity of the working memory which reduces the vividness and emotionality of aversive memories. In this study, an online EMDR therapy application delivered on a smartphone was analysed for its effectiveness in taxing the working memory with innovative dual tasks. The aim was to examine whether increasing task complexity by combining tasks and presenting tasks serially or in parallel enhances a higher working memory taxation and whether a modality-specificity of attention increases taxation. Methods: Forty-nine students performed different sets of RTTs to assess the degree of working memory taxation of a visual and auditory task. Both tasks were assessed independently and in combination. In combination sets, visual and auditory stimuli were either presented serially or in parallel. In addition, three different levels of eye movement speed were administered (slow, medium, and fast). Results: Both tasks, single and combined, taxed the working memory. Of combined tasks, a serial presentation of stimuli was more taxing than a parallel presentation for the visual task only. No difference in RTs was found for the auditory task. Eye movements amplified the taxation for the visual task. Auditory RTs remained constant among eye movement speeds, except for the fast eye movement speed level. Conclusion: Combining tasks loads the working memory to a greater extent than a single task. During a serial stimuli presentation, attention needs to be switched between modalities, leading to a switch cost and higher taxation compared to a parallel presentation where attention needs to be divided among modalities. Results partially support a modality specificity of processing stimuli located within the same modality. Further research is needed to test the exact influence of each factor on working memory taxation. The tasks applied in a smartphone application seem to be taxing and thus might be effective in online EMDR treatment.
Item Type:	Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:	BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:	77 psychology
Programme:	Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:	https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/91996
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