Independent scrutiny welcomed
Independent IEMT research: an open invitation
The Association invites universities, clinicians, methodologists and independent researchers to examine IEMT’s outcomes, components, safety and theoretical claims. Positive, negative and null findings are all valuable.
Our current evidence position
IEMT now has a peer-reviewed exploratory study comparing IEMT-directed eye movements, EMDR-directed eye movements and a control condition. It also has practitioner case reports and preliminary projects. This is a beginning, not a mature evidence base. Larger independent studies, clinical samples, active controls, longer follow-up, treatment-fidelity measures and systematic safety reporting remain necessary.
Research priorities
We welcome research that tests clear questions and reports findings without requiring a favourable outcome.
01
Clinical outcomes
For whom, for which clearly defined problems and under what conditions might IEMT be helpful, ineffective or unsuitable?
02
Components and mechanisms
Which changes are associated with eye movement, structured questioning, attention, expectancy, therapeutic relationship or working-memory demand?
03
Safety and acceptability
What adverse events, dropouts, temporary distress, preference patterns and contraindications occur, and how should they be measured?
04
Fidelity and implementation
Can the intervention be described, taught and delivered consistently, and which practitioner competencies influence outcome?
Suitable study designs
- Feasibility and acceptability studies before definitive trials.
- Randomised controlled or carefully designed comparative studies.
- Single-case experimental designs with repeated measurement.
- Component studies using credible active controls.
- Prospective case series using validated outcome measures.
- Qualitative studies of client experience and acceptability.
- Treatment-fidelity and practitioner-competence research.
- Adverse-event, dropout and longer-term follow-up studies.
Principles for credible collaboration
- Independence: investigators retain control of design, analysis, interpretation and publication.
- Transparency: preregister confirmatory questions where feasible, report protocol deviations and disclose conflicts of interest.
- Publication regardless of outcome: null and unfavourable findings should not be suppressed.
- Accurate intervention description: distinguish complete IEMT practice from an isolated component such as directed eye movement.
- Responsible comparison: use appropriate comparators and avoid assuming equivalence from a non-significant difference.
- Open materials: share protocols, analytic code and de-identified data when consent, ethics and law permit.
What the Association can offer
We may be able to provide
- Clear descriptions of the technique and training pathway.
- Introductions to appropriately trained practitioners.
- Recruitment publicity after ethics approval.
- Fidelity materials and adverse-event reporting templates.
- Practical clarification of IEMT terminology.
We will not control
- The study’s hypotheses, comparator or outcome measures.
- Data collection, analysis or interpretation.
- Whether unfavourable results are published.
- Peer-review responses or the wording of conclusions.
- Independent criticism made in accordance with research ethics.
Ethics, safeguarding and data protection
- Obtain appropriate university, NHS, REC, IRB or equivalent approval before recruitment.
- Use clear consent, withdrawal, safeguarding and referral procedures.
- Predefine adverse events, serious adverse events, deterioration and stopping rules.
- Protect confidentiality and comply with UK GDPR or the relevant legal framework.
- Ensure intervention providers work within competence, insurance and professional scope.
How to begin
1. Outline
Send a one- or two-page outline covering the question, design, sample, comparator, outcomes, follow-up, timeline and requested support.
2. Clarify
We will clarify terminology, feasibility and any resources we can offer. This discussion does not confer approval or control of the study.
3. Approve
Secure the necessary ethics, governance, insurance and data-protection approvals before recruitment or intervention delivery.
Contact the Association
Email a brief outline with the subject Research Proposal. Please do not send identifiable participant or client data in an initial enquiry.