Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in reducing infertility distress in women: a community-based randomised crossover trial protocol.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in reducing infertility-related distress and improving psychological well-being among women undergoing fertility treatment.
Article Abstract
“Introduction Infertility is a global health concern affecting 10%–15% of couples, often accompanied by profound psychological distress for women. Various psychological interventions being trialled in this population, outcomes have been mixed, underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, originally developed for trauma-related conditions, is a promising alternative. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in reducing infertility-related distress and improving psychological well-being among women undergoing fertility treatment.
Methods and analysis This is a randomised crossover trial with two groups: an immediate EMDR therapy treatment group and a waitlist control group. 64 women who meet eligibility criteria for infertility-related psychological distress will be randomly assigned (1:1) using block randomisation. The intervention consists of 6 weekly EMDR sessions delivered by an accredited EMDR practitioner. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. Outcomes include infertility-related distress measured by the Infertility Distress Scale (IDS) and Fertility Quality of Life scale (FertiQoL), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), trauma symptoms measured by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R), psychological well-being measured by Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), self-esteem measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), general health measured by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and coping strategies measured by the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief-COPE). A qualitative component using reflexive thematic analysis will explore participants’ subjective experiences of EMDR and infertility.
Ethics and dissemination This trial has received ethical approval from the RMIT University Human Research Ethics Committee (2025-28286-27180). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and participant summaries. All participants will provide written informed consent, and those in the waitlist group will receive the intervention following the initial study period, aligning with ethical principles of beneficence and justice.
Trial registration number ACTRN12624001289505p.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Jackson, P. L., Saunders, P., Mizzi, S., & Hallam, K. T. (2026). Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in reducing infertility distress in women: a community-based randomised crossover trial protocol. BMJ Open, 16(4): e104683. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-104683
About the Journal
“BMJ Open is a medical journal. We consider papers addressing research questions in clinical medicine, public health and epidemiology. We also welcome studies in health services research, health economics, surgery, qualitative research, research methods, medical education, medical publishing and any other field that directly addresses patient outcomes or the practice and delivery of healthcare.”
—Description from publisher
Date
April 27, 2026
Creator(s)
Patricia Lisa Jackson, Peter Saunders, Simone Mizzi
Contributor(s)
Karen Tracey Hallam
Topics
Pregnancy/Perinatal
Extent
8 pages
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group LTD.
Rights
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. Re- use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.
APA Citation
Jackson, P. L., Saunders, P., Mizzi, S., & Hallam, K. T. (2026). Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in reducing infertility distress in women: a community-based randomised crossover trial protocol. BMJ Open, 16(4): e104683. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2025-104683
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed, RCT
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access
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