Background: Nonpharmacologic interventions have known benefits for managing chronic pain, particularly for conditions such as fibromyalgia, and are included in clinical guidelines. However, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has not been established as a routine clinical practice for pain management. Objective: To systematically review the efficacy of EMDR for managing chronic pain. Methods: A search was conducted to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational studies by using the keywords "EMDR" and "chronic pain." Information was collected on the study population, EMDR protocol, methods for pain assessment, and outcomes. Risk of bias was evaluated, and intervention effect sizes were determined by calculating Hedges g values for long-term follow-up data in RCTs. Results: A total of nine studies, including seven RCTs, were reviewed. The studies used various diverse pain measurement tools and EMDR protocols. All reported significant improvements in pain symptoms with EMDR. Most of the studies reported statistically significant improvements in associated mental health issues, notably in psychological distress (four out of four studies), anxiety (three out of three studies), and depression (three out of four studies). Effect sizes varied among the studies, with three RCTs reporting large effects, two RCTs reporting moderate effects, and one RCT reporting small or nonsignificant effects. Conclusion: EMDR shows promise for managing chronic pain and addressing associated mental health symptoms. Despite study differences and limitations, the findings of this systematic review support the potential use of EMDR for chronic pain management.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in reducing trauma-related sexual behaviors among adolescents with a history of childhood sexual abuse. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with eighty participants aged 12-18 years. Participants received 8-12 weekly sessions of either EMDR or TF-CBT. Assessments were administered at baseline, post-treatment, and three-month follow-up to evaluate changes in maladaptive sexual behaviors and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Results: EMDR demonstrated significantly greater and faster reductions in maladaptive sexual behaviors and PTSD symptoms compared to TF-CBT. The therapeutic effects were maintained at the three-month follow-up, indicating sustained improvement over time. Conclusions: EMDR appears to be a highly effective intervention for adolescents exhibiting trauma-related sexual behaviors following childhood sexual abuse. The findings suggest that EMDR may offer a valuable alternative or complement to TF-CBT, with important implications for clinical practice and future research.

Does treating emotional memories come at a price? Effects of single-session EMDR, imaginal exposure, and imagery rescripting on forced-choice recognition of event details in healthy adults - a laboratory study.

Stress and stress reactivity in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following eye movement desensitization (EMD): A randomized controlled trial.

The prevalence of mental health issues in young people is staggering, yet many face barriers in accessing professional help. These barriers, including stigma and long waiting lists, can prevent those in need from receiving the support they require. Teletherapy, which utilizes technology to connect individuals with mental health professionals, is emerging as a promising solution to overcome these obstacles. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of online therapy globally, with therapists swiftly transitioning to digital platforms. The effectiveness of online therapy in youth, and factors that may potentially affect this, warrant further investigation. In a randomized controlled trial, this study therefore aims to compare the results of online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to traditional in-person treatment, thereby investigating the modifying role of therapeutic alliance, willingness to participate in teletherapy sessions, age, and gender. The study will use a randomized non-inferiority design and block randomization to assign help-seeking young people aged 12-18 that are eligible for EMDR or ACT treatment to either online or in-person therapy in specialized mental health care (SMHC). Data analysis will include both intention-to-treat and "per protocol" analyses using mixed models. Participants and their caregiver(s) will complete questionnaires on societal functioning and symptom severity at baseline, at the end of treatment and at 6-month follow-up. Therapeutic alliance will be assessed 2 months into treatment and at the end of treatment. Peer experts were actively involved in the study design to ensure the incorporation of patient and relative perspectives. This study seeks to assess whether teletherapy can be a viable and accessible option for young people in need of mental health support. The findings from this research have the potential to inform mental health services and policies, and to contribute to the ongoing development of digital mental health interventions for young people. Ultimately, the study's results may help improve access to mental health care and support for young people facing barriers to traditional in-person therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06617663. Registered on September 27, 2024.

This study examines the subjective meaning-making of psychological trauma among young individuals, through the recollection of personal traumatic experiences, combined with the potential effectiveness of alternative forms of psychological interventions. The central aim of the research is an in-depth understanding of trauma as an experience that exceeds the individual’s adaptive capacities and often leads to emotional numbness. The theoretical framework draws on classic theories, such as those of Van der Kolk, Porges and others, focusing on how a traumatic event affects, among other things, both the formation of personality and the development of interpersonal relationships. The methodology combines literature review with innovative multimodal approaches, such as non-verbal expression through art, narrative and sand therapy, as well as the use of Appreciative Inquiry. The main findings indicate that trauma profoundly impacts memory, emotional regulation and the ability for interpersonal connection. Finally, reference is made to specific therapeutic methods, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Somatic Experiencing, which significantly contribute to trauma processing, transforming the traumatic experience into a starting point for personal reconstruction.

Introduction Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured psychotherapy primarily focused on treating individuals who have experienced distressing, traumatic events and other mental disorders. While traditionally associated with bilateral eye movements, the underlying mechanisms of EMDR remain a topic of interest. Our goal was to explore whether an endogenous attention task, specifically the Posner paradigm, which involves shifting spatial attention without eye movements, could be as effective as the conventional eye movements in processing distress memories of moderate to high intensity and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of the technique. Methods To achieve this, we conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 50 healthy participants, who were divided into two groups (EMDR and other engaging in Posner paradigm). Participants were tasked with recalling distress memories while undergoing their respective interventions. We measured the overall effects of both approaches on subjective units of distress (SUDs), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted to evaluate changes in these measures. Results Our results indicated that both the EMDR and Posner groups experienced significant reductions in scores on the SUDs, IES-R, and PCL-5, demonstrating equal effectiveness in alleviating distress associated with distress memories. Notably, the results suggest that the mechanism of attention shifting, rather than the specific modality of eye movements, plays a critical role in the therapeutic process. Conclusion These data suggest that endogenous visuospatial tasks, such as those employed in the Posner paradigm, may serve as viable alternatives to traditional eye movements in EMDR therapy. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the simultaneous presentation of stimuli may not be a crucial aspect of EMDR’s effectiveness. This study contributes to the understanding of EMDR by highlighting the importance of attentional processes in memory processing and opens avenues for further research into alternative therapeutic techniques that leverage cognitive mechanisms. However, as this study employed a non-clinical sample of healthy participants with distress memories, caution is warranted when generalizing these findings to clinical populations with diagnosed trauma-related disorders. The implications of these findings are discussed within the broader theoretical frameworks of EMDR and attentional involvement, emphasizing the potential for integrating cognitive tasks into trauma-focused therapies.

Psychotropic medications are frequently prescribed alongside trauma-focused psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet their impact on treatment response remains uncertain. This study emulated target trials to examine the association between psychotropic co-medication at treatment onset and psychotherapy outcomes in a real-world PTSD cohort. A prospective cohort of 6,125 adults with chronic or delayed-onset PTSD received a standardized 2-8 day trauma-focused psychotherapy program, including daily prolonged exposure and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, at a Dutch psychotrauma center (2021-2024). Target trial emulation with double machine learning with inverse probability of treatment weighting estimated the effects of specific psychotropic co-medications versus non-use on changes in Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) scores (range, 0-80) from pre-to post-treatment. Mean CAPS-5 scores improved by 25.7 points (Cohen's d = -2.30). Psychotropic co-medication (n = 1,382) was associated with reduced symptom improvement compared with non-use (model-estimated difference = -2.52 points; relative reduction = -9.4%, 95% CI = -10.0 to -8.9; d = -1.11, E = 10.0). This effect persisted at 6-month follow-up (d = -0.42). Antidepressants overall (d = -0.28; follow-up d = -0.56), amitriptyline (d = -0.51), and mirtazapine (d = -0.29) were consistently associated with poorer outcomes across sensitivity analyses. Similar patterns were observed for anticonvulsants, mood-stabilizing anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, fluoxetine, zolpidem, and zopiclone. Sensitivity analyses and E-values indicated robustness to unmeasured confounding. Several psychotropic co-medications were associated with reduced outcomes of evidence-based trauma-focused psychotherapy for PTSD. By identifying this as a potentially modifiable factor, psychotherapy outcomes may be optimized. Trials are warranted to evaluate whether tapering or substituting these agents improves outcomes.

BackgroundBilateral sensory stimulation (BLS), such as eye movements or alternating tactile stimulation, is a key component of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), a recommended treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying BLS remain poorly understood.AimsThis study examined the physiological effects of visual and tactile BLS on frontal electroencephalography (EEG) activity and autonomic arousal in patients with PTSD and healthy controls, by varying the type of stimulation in different emotional stimuli.MethodTwenty female PTSD patients and twenty matched healthy controls participated in a counterbalanced, within-subjects design. Participants recalled a subjectively stressful or neutral event while receiving visual or tactile BLS. Frontal EEG and peripheral psychophysiological measures were recorded before and after stimulation. Data were analysed using mixed model analysis to examine the effects of stimulation type, memory condition and group.ResultsBoth visual and tactile BLS significantly increased the total power of frontal EEG and decreased spectral edge frequency and peripheral physiological activation. These effects were consistent between the groups and memory conditions.ConclusionsBLS, regardless of visual or tactile modality or emotional memory content, is associated with increased frontal EEG activity and reduced autonomic arousal. These findings support the hypothesis that BLS facilitates top-down cortical regulation, potentially aiding emotional processing in EMDR by using an inherent mechanism to promote psychological recovery. More research is needed to clarify the neural mechanisms and clinical implications.

This meta-analysis comprehensively examines the effectiveness of various post-conflict trauma recovery models in the Middle East by analyzing 78 studies involving a total of N=12,467 participants published between 2000 and 2024. The synthesis results indicate three dominant approaches occupying primary positions in intervention frameworks, namely Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with an effect size of d=0.82 (95% CI: 0.76–0.88), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with d=0.77 (95% CI: 0.71–0.83), and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) with d=0.69 (95% CI: 0.63–0.75). Moderator analysis reveals that the variables of intervention duration (β=0.31, p<0.001) and therapist qualification (β=0.28, p<0.001) play significant roles in determining therapeutic success. CBT demonstrates the highest effectiveness in addressing PTSD (r=0.73, p<0.001), whereas NET proves superior in managing collective trauma (r=0.68, p<0.001). Compared to the findings of Knaevelsrud et al. (2015) and Alzaghoul et al. (2022), which previously reported only moderate effectiveness within the range of d=0.45–0.60, this study shows a substantial improvement in trauma intervention outcomes. Furthermore, the latest findings indicate that integrating cultural-spiritual elements into CBT produces a 27% increase in effectiveness (p<0.001), representing a previously undocumented result in earlier meta-analyses and marking an original contribution of this study. Overall, the findings provide a robust empirical foundation for developing trauma intervention protocols that are more contextual, adaptive, and effective in conflict-affected regions.

Disclosure: A. Pandey: None. B. Tejerao: None. A. Ahmed: None. P. Kv: None. B. R: None. I. Dhanabalan: None. R. Dasgupta: None. S. C: None.Background: Fear of hypoglycemia (FOH) constitutes a significant concern among individuals with brittle diabetes, including those diagnosed with Fibrocalculous Pancreatic Diabetes (FCPD). FOH may result in behaviors that exacerbate hyperglycemia, such as the reduction of insulin dosages, increased carbohydrate consumption, and avoidance of physical activities. Psychological interventions, such as Eye Movement desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), potentially offer improvements in glycemic control and quality of life through alleviation of FOH. EMDR is conventionally utilised in the treatment of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders through the processing of disturbed memories. At present, there exists a paucity of trials investigating the effects of EMDR on FOH in patients with FCPD. Methodology: This prospective randomized control trial involved FCPD patients with FOH at a tertiary care center in South India over a six-month period. The participants were allocated to the control (n=26) and intervention (n=30) groups. The intervention group received EMDR in addition to standard care, whereas the control group received only standard care. FOH was assessed using The Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-Version II Worry scale at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months. The EMDR intervention comprised two 45-minute individual sessions using standardized eight-step protocols. The data were analysed and compared at one, three and six months. Results: At baseline, the intervention group mean age was 32.9 ± 8.2 years, and the control group was 34.1 ± 9.1 years (p>0.05). Both groups exhibited comparable characteristics in terms of body mass index (BMI), gender, and diabetes duration (p>0.05). The intervention group demonstrated a 14-point reduction in FOH at one-month post-EMDR and a 16-point reduction at three months. These reductions remained stable at six months and were significantly more pronounced than those observed in the control group (p<0.01). Furthermore, hypoglycemic episodes, glycemic control, and HbA1c levels were significantly improved in the intervention group at six months (all p<0.01). Conclusion: EMDR is a cost-effective, readily implementable outpatient technique with long-term efficacy for managing FOH in FCPD patients, addressing a previously neglected yet clinically significant issue.Presentation: Saturday, July 12, 2025

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder triggered by experiencing a major traumatic event, which may have long-term effects on a patient's emotions, cognition, and social functioning. In recent years, treatment methods for PTSD have continued to evolve. Traditional treatments primarily include pharmacological interventions such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), as well as cognitive-behavioral psychotherapies like Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). While these methods have shown some efficacy, they still face limitations such as limited therapeutic effects and high relapse rates. With the deepening of research, emerging methods such as ketamine and MDMA-assisted therapy have gradually gained attention and shown promising results in some clinical studies. Meanwhile, explorations at the neural mechanism level have provided new insights into the underlying principles of different treatment approaches. This paper comprehensively reviews the current mainstream treatments and research progress in PTSD, and provides an initial outlook on the future development direction of individualized and integrated treatments, aiming to provide references for subsequent research and clinical practice.

Nuances in the memory undermining effects of EMDR and imagery rescripting.

A preliminary efficacy study of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy in reducing epilepsy-related anxiety.

ABSTRACTBackgroundTrauma exposure is pervasive in people with an At Risk Mental State (ARMS) and is associated with adverse clinical and functional outcomes. While promising developments have been made in treating trauma in psychosis, evidence regarding the efficacy of trauma therapies in ARMS individuals is limited. This trial aims to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a future randomised controlled trial (RCT) to determine the efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) and trauma focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF‐CBT) in people with ARMS.MethodSeventy ARMS individuals with a history of trauma will be randomised to receive 24 sessions of EMDR plus treatment as usual (TAU), 24 sessions of TF‐CBT+TAU, or TAU alone. Feasibility will be determined against pre‐specified thresholds for recruitment, retention, treatment engagement, and fidelity. To examine the promise of efficacy of EMDR and TF‐CBT, participants will complete a battery of clinical and mechanistic measures at baseline and 9‐month post‐randomisation, including assessments of attenuated psychotic symptoms and post‐traumatic symptoms. Clinical notes will be reviewed to identify transitions to first episode psychosis up to 12 months post‐randomisation. Qualitative interviews with trial participants, therapists, and professional stakeholders will explore the acceptability of EMDR and TF‐CBT and factors to facilitate future implementation of trauma therapies in routine practice.ConclusionsIf a large‐scale RCT is deemed feasible, it will be possible to establish whether EMDR and/or TF‐CBT represent beneficial treatments to augment existing evidence‐based care for individuals at ultra‐high risk for future psychosis, potentially reducing transition rates and improving clinical outcomes for ARMS individuals.

Nonpharmacological treatments of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among children and adolescents: A scoping review.

This case study describes the remote Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment of a 27-year-old woman with Tetralogy of Fallot presenting symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and insomnia. After perceived lack of therapeutic fit for psychological support, she was referred by her adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) cardiologist following clinically significant distress noted at a routine outpatient visit. A structured 10-session psychotherapeutic intervention was delivered entirely via secure videoconference between May and November 2023. The treatment followed all eight phases of EMDR and targeted trauma-related memories linked to early cardiac surgery, procedural sedation, perceived relational absence, and somatic hyperarousal. The clinical approach integrated an attachment-informed and interoception-focused stance consistent with Gestalt pacing, emphasizing embodied awareness, emotional pacing, and relational attunement. Outcomes were monitored at eight time points using validated measures: the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Substantial improvements were observed across all domains. This case appears to be the first report of a full eight-phase, all-telehealth EMDR course embedded in an ACHD service for an adult with Tetralogy of Fallot, offering reproducible remote adaptations and an interoception-focused pacing strategy. This case underscores the value of trauma-informed psychological care within multidisciplinary cardiac services and supports repeated symptom monitoring to guide pacing and track progress. It was prepared in accordance with CARE case study guidelines.

Trauma-related somatic symptoms are common complaints in the psychiatric and general medical community. These somatic complaints often lead to repeated consultations and unnecessary investigations. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), originally developed as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is increasingly being applied to the treatment of a wide range of trauma-related conditions. This report describes a 47-year-old man who complained of persistent pain in his left upper arm immediately after the death of his mother. Despite many evaluations in orthopedics, neurology and physical therapy, no organic pathology was identified regarding the patient's complaint. In this case, after a single EMDR session, the patient's pain disappeared completely and did not recur. This case highlights the potential of EMDR as a rapid, safe, and effective intervention for trauma-related somatic complaints.

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical foundations and practical approaches to psychological support of individuals experiencing stressful and traumatic events. The distinction between the concepts of stress and psychological trauma is examined, as well as their psycho-emotional, cognitive, and somatic consequences. Particular attention is devoted to the concept of resilience as the ability to adapt positively, along with the use of effective coping strategies. The main levels of psychological assistance are analyzed, including self-help, social support, and professional interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Transactional Analysis (TA). For the first time in the Ukrainian context, the article highlights the principles of Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) and Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, which substantiate the shift from an individual survival focus toward the formation of collective resilience. The study also addresses unresolved issues, in particular the phenomenon of intergenerational trauma, and emphasizes the need for the development of long-term rehabilitation programs. The conclusions present practical recommendations for the development of a systemic model of psychological support in educational, corporate, and community settings. It is argued that future research should focus on a deeper exploration of the long-term consequences of traumatic events and the implementation of innovative approaches that contribute to healing at the societal level.

Adverse childhood experiences contribute to the development of personality disorders (PDs). Although trauma-focused interventions are effective for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), their effect on PD symptoms is less established. To evaluate the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in reducing PD symptoms compared with a waiting list, regardless of PTSD status. This 2-arm, multicenter, single-blind, randomized clinical trial was performed in the specialized outpatient departments of 2 clinics in the Netherlands from February 22, 2021, to October 2, 2024. Participants included 159 patients with PD diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Personality Disorders (SCID-5-PD). Data were analyzed based on intention to treat. Ten 90-minute EMDR sessions for 5 weeks, targeting traumatic and adverse memories linked to PD symptoms. Pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up assessments using the Assessment of DSM-IV Personality Disorders (ADP-IV), SCID-5-PD, Level of Personality Functioning Scale (LPFS), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS). Among the 159 patients included in the analysis, mean (SD) age was 35.4 (12.0) years, and 130 were female (81.8%). Seventy-nine participants were randomized to the EMDR group and 80 to the waiting-list control group. Four participants (5.1%) dropped out of the EMDR group, and 16 (20.3%) were early completers, without adverse events. EMDR therapy outperformed the waiting-list condition for ADP-IV post treatment (β, -37.93 [95% CI, -52.54 to -23.33]; P < .001; Cohen d = 0.31 [95% CI, -0.05 to 0.66]) and at follow-up (β, -45.73 [95% CI, -64.90 to -26.56]; P < .001; Cohen d = 0.46 [95% CI, 0.10-0.82]), SCID-5-PD post treatment (β, -3.65 [95% CI, -5.87 to -1.42]; P = .002; d = 0.48 [95% CI, 0.14-0.82]) and at follow-up (β, -3.70 [95% CI, -7.10 to -0.30]; P = .03; Cohen d = 0.61 [95% CI, 0.25-0.97]), LPFS post treatment (β, -3.13 [95% CI, -4.86 to -1.41]; P < .001; Cohen d = 0.31 [95% CI, -0.05 to 0.67]) and at follow-up (β, -3.62 [95% CI, -5.96 to -1.28]; P = .003; Cohen d = 0.43 [95% CI, 0.06-0.79]), and DERS post treatment (β, -9.03 [95% CI, -14.90 to -3.15]; P = .003; Cohen d = 0.35 [95% CI, -0.01 to 0.71]) and at follow-up (β, -11.73 [95% CI, -19.90 to -3.55]; P = .005; Cohen d = 0.62 [95% CI, 0.25-0.98]). PD remission was more common in the EMDR than control groups both post treatment (ADP-IV, 38.3% vs 6.8%; SCID-5-PD, 33.3% vs 7.8%) and at follow-up (ADP-IV, 45.4% vs 5.9%; SCID-5-PD, 44.1% vs 15.8%). In this randomized clinical trial of 159 patients with PD, EMDR therapy led to significant reduction in PD symptoms, with 30 (44.1%) achieving remission. These findings support the potential of EMDR therapy for PD treatment and encourage further confirmatory research. Netherlands Trial Register: NL9078.