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Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for chronic pain: A systematic review (Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine)

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Home / Resources / Medical/Somatic / Pain/Chronic Pain / Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for chronic pain: A systematic review (Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine)

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for chronic pain: A systematic review

This study’s objective is to systematically review the efficacy of EMDR for managing chronic pain.


Article Abstract

“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.”

—Description from publisher 

Article Access 

Open Access

Singla, A., Futela, P., Arora, K., Toussaint, L., Ahmad, Z., Baptista, A. M., Anstine, C. V., Hurt, R. T., Philpot, L. M., & Mohabbat, A. B. (2025). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for chronic pain: A systematic review. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, Online. Open access: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/27683605251362035

View the Resource
Basic Info Collapse

Date
July 30, 2025

Creator(s)
Abhinav Singla, Pragyat Futela, Komal Arora

Contributor(s)
Loren Toussaint, Zaain Ahmad, Aleksandra Murawska Baptista, Christopher V. Anstine, Ryan T. Hurt, Lindsey M. Philpot, Arya B. Mohabbat

Topics
Pain/Chronic Pain

More Info Collapse

Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc

APA Citation
Singla, A., Futela, P., Arora, K., Toussaint, L., Ahmad, Z., Baptista, A. M., Anstine, C. V., Hurt, R. T., Philpot, L. M., & Mohabbat, A. B. (2025). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for chronic pain: A systematic review. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, Online. Open access: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/27683605251362035

Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals

Language
English

Content Type
Article, Meta-analyses/Systematic Reviews, Peer-Reviewed

Access Type
External Resource, Open Access

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