Update on the Dutch Scientific Research into the Efficacy of IEMT

In 2023, a scientific study into the effectiveness of IEMT was set up by a collaboration between JeBeNTR, IEMT training, Maastricht University, and de Breinkliniek (Brain Clinic). In March 2023, our research proposal was approved by an ethics committee. In the spring, we started with the first research at Dutch Maastricht University. A second part of the research took place in the Brain Clinic in Wamel.

We are currently processing the results of the studies into the effectiveness of IEMT. Publication will take some time, but the first reactions are positive. Below, you will find an update on our studies so far.

In the first study, we compared IEMT with EMDR and a control group in the laboratory of Maastricht University. Each of the conditions was tested in a 20-minute session. Regarding IEMT, we worked with a single negative memory for this study. This study is now entering its final phase: writing the article and publication.

The second study occurred in “De Breinkliniek” (BrainClinic), a Dutch centre for neurofeedback. Here, participants experienced an IEMT session with the PTSD protocol while we measured EEG waves with a QEEG scanner before, during, and after the sessions. We have received all the data from this study and are starting the data analysis, which will be quite a challenge.

The third study will be conducted in September of this year and will mainly focus on the broad applicability of IEMT.

At this point, we cannot share the final results with you yet. The original results must first be published before we can distribute them further. However, we do want to share that the research team has had fascinating, special, and powerful experiences during these studies, with several participants achieving great results. The individual feedback we have received from participants is positive and enthusiastic. The brain scans we see, and the figures we have calculated so far are impressive.

IEMT is certainly a promising technology. We continue to work hard and try to publish as soon as possible. Experience shows that this will take some more time. So, stay tuned!

Our gratitude goes out to the therapists who participated in these two studies and to the Brain Clinic for their facilitation and excellent expertise in the field of EEG data collection and analysis!

The research team consists of Dalena van Heugten and Ruud Koolen (Maastricht University), Luuk van Leur and Renske (Brain Clinic), Naima Trouk (JeBeNTR) and Anne ten Brinke (IEMT training)

This article is a contribution by:

Dalena van Heugten
Assistant Professor
Sectie Klinische Psychologie
Experimentele Klinische Psychologie
Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience