The current (2020) research priorities were adopted by the EMDR Research Foundation in December 2013:
1st Priority – Advancing Evidence-Based Practice: Increase the availability of quality EMDR research in areas where we already have a foot-hold in the literature but where more evidence is needed. Specifically, those areas are in the use of EMDR therapy to treat anxiety, depression, military PTSD, phantom limb pain, and to enhance recovery from the impact of cardiac events and the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
2nd Priority – Addressing the Global Burden of Trauma: Investigate the use of EMDR in natural or man-made disaster responses, by determining the effectiveness of the following protocols: early intervention protocols, the child or adult group protocols, or the use of EMDR standard protocols in disaster response.
3rd Priority – Building Clinical Evidence: There are several areas where EMDR therapy is being used, clinical observations are positive, and there are some research indicators of success. However, more research is needed to build a body of literature in these populations or diagnostic categories, including but not limited to addictions, eating disorders, dissociative disorders, additional medical/somatic conditions, and suicide prevention and to address the impact of suicide.
These priorities apply to research across the lifespan so that a study might address, for example, adolescent addiction, or geriatric depression.
