The reducing effect of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment on exam anxiety in students

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy in the treatment of exam anxiety in high school students in the 11^th grade.

Materials and methods: Between April 10, 2022 and June 15, 2022, a total of 40 students (20 males, 20 females; mean age: 17 years) and 20 students as the control group (10 males, 10 females; mean age: 17 years) were included in the study. Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) was given to both groups as a post-test after the application of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to the experimental group with the aim of having zero subjective units of the disturbance scale. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze and interpret the TAI results.

Results: Gender differences between girls and boys students were found to have no effect on test anxiety. When p≤0.05 was taken in the control group, no statistically significant difference was found when comparing pre-test to post-test. There was a statistically significant difference between the anxiety pre-test and post-test ranking averages of boys in the experimental group; z=-2.805; p<0.01. Pre-test anxiety ranking averages were higher than post-test anxiety ranking averages. There was a statistically significant difference between the anxiety pre-test and post-test ranking means of the overall sample; z=-3.411; p<0.01. Pre-test anxiety ranking averages were higher than post-test anxiety ranking averages.

Conclusion: As a result of the evaluation of the satisfaction questionnaire administered to the students, it was observed that the students in the experimental group were more positive, hopeful, and calm in the feedback received from parents, students, and teachers in the school environment. After evaluating all of the evidence and observations, it is concluded that EMDR therapy is a useful strategy for reducing young people's test anxiety.

Cite this article as: Güneş B, İlter D, Denizgil Evre T, Erbaş O. The reducing effect of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment on exam anxiety in students. D J Med Sci 2022;8(2):62-70.

The study protocol was approved by the Near East University, Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee (date/no: 02.04.2022, YDÜ/SB/2022/128). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

All participants and parents were informed about the nature of the study and written informed consent was obtained.

Data Sharing Statement:
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Collected the data and corresponding writer: B.G.; Collected the data: D,I.; Performed statistical analysis: T.D.E., O.E.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.