Effect of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) on anxiety in cancer patients referred to the emergency departments of hospitals in Shiraz

This study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in reducing anxiety among cancer patients presenting to emergency departments in hospitals in Shiraz.

Article Abstract

“Patients with cancer who present to emergency departments often experience significant anxiety because of acute physical symptoms and the psychological burden of their disease. This study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing anxiety among cancer patients presenting to emergency departments in hospitals in Shiraz. In this experimental pretest–posttest study with a control group, 42 cancer patients were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 21) and a control group (n = 21). The experimental group received the EMDR intervention, whereas the control group received no intervention. Anxiety levels were measured using a standardized questionnaire. Data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Wilcoxon test, and linear regression analysis. The two groups were comparable in demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, gender, marital status, educational level, cancer type, history of drug use, and hospitalization duration (p > 0.05). Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in mean anxiety scores between the groups (p = 0.337). After the intervention, anxiety decreased in both groups; however, the reduction was significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Wilcoxon test results showed that all participants in the experimental group experienced a reduction in anxiety. Linear regression analysis indicated that the EMDR intervention independently and significantly reduced anxiety levels (p < 0.001), and this effect remained stable after adjusting for baseline anxiety and other demographic and clinical variables. Baseline anxiety was a strong predictor of postintervention anxiety, whereas other variables showed no significant associations (p > 0.05). Overall, the findings suggest that EMDR is an effective, brief, and practical complementary intervention for reducing anxiety in cancer patients in emergency medical settings.”

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Article Access

Open Access 

Karimi, N. A., Razavi, M-R., khodadost, M., Kalyani, M. N., & Bazrafshan, M-R. (2026). Effect of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) on anxiety in cancer patients referred to the emergency departments of hospitals in Shiraz. Mental Illness, 6742269. https://doi.org/10.1155/mij/6742269(opens in new tab)