B.R.E.A.S.T. study protocol: Benefits of R-TEP EMDR protocol in addressing distress and trauma in breast cancer patients
This RCT protocol provides the methodological framework for generating evidence on EMDR R-TEP as an early psychological intervention for breast cancer patients.
Article Abstract
“Background: Breast cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment can be experienced as traumatic events, triggering psychological distress including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic symptoms. The Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP), an early EMDR intervention, has shown efficacy in reducing psychological symptomatology following recent traumatic events.
Objectives: This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial designed to assess the efficacy of the EMDR R-TEP protocol in primarily reducing psychological distress and post-traumatic symptoms in breast cancer patients undergoing surgery, with secondary focus on emotion regulation, hopelessness, body image and global psychological symptomatology.
Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, single-blind randomized controlled trial will be conducted at the Breast Unit of ASST Rhodense (Milan, Italy). A minimum of 122 female patients, accounting for 20% attrition, with first breast cancer diagnosis scheduled for surgery will be randomized into three groups: treatment as usual (TAU), TAU plus psychoeducational intervention, and TAU plus EMDR R-TEP. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (pre-surgery), post-surgery/pre-psychological intervention, post-psychological intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes include the Psychological Distress Inventory-Revised and Post-Traumatic Symptom Questionnaire.
Discussion: This protocol provides the methodological framework for generating evidence on EMDR R-TEP as an early psychological intervention for breast cancer patients.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Ligoria, L. E., Rossi, A. A., Sala, R., Pesavento, F., Musco, F., Mannarini, S., & Bolina, R. (2026). B.R.E.A.S.T. study protocol: Benefits of R-TEP EMDR protocol in addressing distress and trauma in breast cancer patients. Frontiers in Psychology, 16:1759849. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1759849
Date
January 20, 2026
Creator(s)
Livia Emma Ligorio, Alessandro Alberto Rossi, Rebecca Sala
Contributor(s)
Francesca Pesavento, Flavia Musco, Stefania Mannarini, Roberto Bollina
Topics
Cancer, PTSD
Extent
16 pages
Publisher
Frontiers
Rights
© 2026 Ligorio, Rossi, Sala, Pesavento, Musco, Mannarini and Bollina. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
APA Citation
Ligoria, L. E., Rossi, A. A., Sala, R., Pesavento, F., Musco, F., Mannarini, S., & Bolina, R. (2026). B.R.E.A.S.T. study protocol: Benefits of R-TEP EMDR protocol in addressing diStress and trauma in breast cancer patients. Frontiers in Psychology, 16:1759849. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1759849
Audience
EMDR Therapists
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access
