Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors: A randomized single-case experimental design
EMDR can help patients who experience high fear of cancer recurrence with intrusive memories/images about (future) cancer-related events.
Article Abstract
“Background: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of the greatest problems with which cancer survivors have to deal. High levels of FCR are characterized by intrusive thoughts about cancer-related events and re-experiencing these events, avoidance of reminders of cancer, and hypervigilance, similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy focuses on these images and memories. It is effective in reducing PTSD and may be effective in reducing high levels of FCR.
Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of EMDR for severe FCR in breast and colorectal cancer survivors.
Method: A multiple-baseline single-case experimental design (n = 8) was used. Daily repeated measurements for FCR were taken during the baseline phase and treatment phase, post-treatment, and at the 3 month follow-up. Participants answered the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS) and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, Dutch version (FCRI-NL) five times, i.e. at the start and at the end of each phase (baseline, treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up). The study was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NL8223).
Results: Visual analysis and effect size calculation by Tau-U were executed for the daily questionnaire on FCR. The weighted average Tau-U score was .63 (p < .01) for baseline versus post-treatment, indicating large change, and .53 (p < .01) between baseline and follow-up, indicating moderate change. The scores on the CWS and FCRI-NL-SF decreased significantly from baseline to follow-up.
Conclusion: The results seem promising for EMDR therapy as a potentially effective treatment for FCR. Further research is recommended.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Bruin, J., van Rood, Y. R., Peeters, K. C. M. J., de Roos, C., Tanious, R., Porteilje, J. E. A., Gelderblom, H., & Hinnen, S. C. H. (2023). Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors: A randomized single-case experimental design. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 14(2), 2203427. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2023.2203427
Date
March 23, 2023
Creator(s)
J. Bruin, Y. R. van Rood, K.C.M.J. Peeters
Contributor(s)
C. de Roos, R. Tanious, J.E.A. Portielje, H. Gelderblom, S.C.H. Hinnen
Topics
Cancer, Medical/Somatic
Practice & Methods
Efficacy
Extent
11 pages
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Rights
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), whichpermits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The terms on which this article has beenpublished allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
APA Citation
Bruin, J., van Rood, Y. R., Peeters, K. C. M. J., de Roos, C., Tanious, R., Porteilje, J. E. A., Gelderblom, H., & Hinnen, S. C. H. (2023). Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors: A randomized single-case experimental design. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 14(2), 2203427. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2023.2203427
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access