Lateral Eye Movements Preferentially Increase Fixation Rate for Those with PTSD: A Potential Mechanism for Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy

Participants (25 controls, 37 trauma-exposed, 19 with PTSD) performed lateral eye movements, mimicking EMDR, while engaging in episodic simulation. Those with higher PTSD symptoms had lower baseline fixation rates. Lateral saccades normalized fixations while diminishing the episodes’ subjective quality. EMDR may benefit PTSD patients by enhancing naturally lower fixation rates.