EMDR treatment for anxiety in MS patients: A pilot study

Abstract

Background Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience high levels of anxiety, specifically about the (unpredictable) future related to MS. Worries about physical and cognitive declines can cause frightening mental representations of future ‘worst-case scenarios’. Evidence of the applicability of eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) using flash-forward on anxiety is growing. Objective This pilot study examines the flash-forward EMDR procedure as a treatment option in MS patients suffering from anxiety specifically related to future MS problems. Methods Eight MSpatients suffering from anxiety were treated with one to three sessions of EMDR with a flash-forward target. Treatment effects were evaluated with the use of questionnaires on anxiety, depression, worry, cognitive avoidance, and quality of life at three time points: pre-treatment, direct post-treatment, and three-month follow-up. Results Significant improvement was shown post-treatment compared to pre-treatment on anxiety, depression, and worry. In a case series analysis, all but one participant showed a clinically important difference in anxiety. Conclusion Before implementation on a larger scale can be recommended, the value of EMDR with flash forward targets for anxiety in MS need to be further examined. However, the positive results on this pilot can be seen as promising and motivation for future studies.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) treatment in the medical setting: a systematic review

“…(Ahmed, 2018 ; Amano & Toichi, 2017 ; van der Wielen et al, 2019 ) (Carletto et al, 2016 ; Wallis & de Vries, 2020 ) (Guina & Guina, 2018 ; Janssen & van Donzel, 2023 ; Smart, 2022 ) (Hatefi et al, 2019 ; Olędzka et al, 2016 ) (Konuk et al, 2011 ) (Chemali & Meadows, 2004 ) (Gil-Jardine et al, 2018 ) (Gattinara, 2009 ) See Supplementary Table 4B. The efficacy of EMDR (Gattinara, 2009 ; Olędzka et al, 2016 ; van der Wielen et al, 2019 ) (Carletto et al, 2016 ; Wallis & de Vries, 2020 ) (Ahmed, 2018 ; Arabia et al, 2011 ; Carletto et al, 2016 ; Guina & Guina, 2018 ; Hatefi et al, 2019 ; Olędzka et al, 2016 ; Smart, 2022 ; van der Wielen et al, 2019 ; Wallis & de Vries, 2020 ) (Ahmed, 2018 ; Carletto et al, 2016 ; Hatefi et al, 2019 ; Smart, 2022 ; van der Wielen et al, 2019 ; Wallis & de Vries, 2020 ) (Wallis & de Vries, 2020 ) (Wallis & de Vries, 2020 ) (Carletto et al, 2016 ; Gil-Jardine et al, 2018 ; Janssen & van Donzel, 2023 ; Smart, 2022 ) (Janssen & van Donzel, 2023 ) (Smart, 2022 ) (Amano & Toichi, 2017 ; Carletto et al, 2016 ; Chemali & Meadows, 2004 ; Gil-Jardine et al, 2018 ; Konuk et al, 2011 ; Olędzka et al, 2016 ) (van der Wielen et al, …”

The Effectiveness of Using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy on Reducing the Severity of Symptoms among Individuals Diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review

“…Another study that concluded of Major enhancement was exposed after (EMDR) treatment compared to before (EMDR) treatment on anxiety, depression, and worry. But the management of Anxiety by EMDR approach need to conducting further research studies (Wallis & de Vries, 2020).…”

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Treatment in the Medical Setting: A Systematic Review

“…27,30 The remaining pilot RCT compared an EMDR standard protocol to an EMDR pain protocol and control psychotherapy and found beneficial effects of both EMDR protocols over control therapy, in favor of the standard protocol which was found to be significantly better compared to the pain protocol. 32 Neurology 15 studies described the efficacy of EMDR in neurological disorders and focused on patients suffering from: dementia, [34][35][36] multiple sclerosis (MS), 37,38 stroke, [39][40][41] amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 42 spinal cord injury, 43,44 migraine, 45 psychogenic seizures, 46 and concussion-like symptoms. 47 One study did not specify which neurological condition the patients suffered from.…”

“…48 See Supplementary Table 4B. The efficacy of EMDR was evaluated on emotional distress, 36,44,48 QoL, 37,38 and symptoms of depression, 34,[36][37][38][39]41,43,44 anxiety, 34,[36][37][38]41,43 worry, 38 cognitive avoidance, 38 and PTSD, 37,40,41,47 self-esteem, 40 and post-traumatic growth. 41 Additionally, multiple studies focused on treating symptoms of specific disorders, 35,37,[44][45][46][47] e.g., fatigue in patients with MS. All studies reported beneficial effects of EMDR when comparing measurements before and after treatment, except for one case study: the study reported that the symptoms of anxiety and depression remained consistent although the patient, suffering from Alzheimer's disease, subjectively reported less distress.…”