Evaluating EMDR’s Effectiveness in Reducing Performance Anxiety Among Student-Athletes: A Mixed Methods Study

This study employed an explanatory mixed methods approach to explore the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing [EMDR] in treating performance anxiety among collegiate student-athletes. Two participants at a four-year public institution of higher education participated in six sessions of EMDR. Utilizing a single-subject research design, the Sports Anxiety Scale-2 [SAS-2] was administered prior to the introduction of the EMDR intervention to establish a baseline for performance anxiety. Participants also completed the SAS-2 after each EMDR session. Analysis of participants’ SAS-2 scores indicated reduced performance anxiety during the intervention. Qualitative analysis of individual interviews, utilizing Enhanced Critical Incident Technique, supported these results and provided insights into the cognitive and emotional shifts that contributed to reduced performance anxiety, such as decreased negative self-talk and the establishment of calming routines. Overall, the study results suggest that EMDR is a promising treatment option for addressing performance anxiety among student-athletes.