EMDR and Chronic Pain
Research Summary
Phantom Limb Pain
2010 study in the Netherlands of 10 phantom limb pain sufferers (leg amputees)
6 sessions EMDR (average)
8 patients improved and 4 patients were considered pain free at 3 month follow up
de Roos CJAM, Veenstra, AC, den Holllander-Gijsman, ME, van der Wee, NJA, de Jongh, A, Zitman, FG, van Rood, RY. (2006). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for Chronic Phantom Limb Pain (PLP): A preliminary study of 10 cases.
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2008 study of 5 Phantom Limb Pain sufferers (1-16 years of pain symptoms). All participants had been on extensive medication regimens
Significant decrease or elimination of pain, depression and PTSD symptoms, and reduction/elimination of pain medication.
Decreased feelings of loss, grief, self-image and social adjustment problems
Schneider, Jens, Hofman, Arne, Rost, Christine, Shapiro, Francine. (2008). EMDR in the Treatment of Chronic Phantom Limb Pain. Pain Medicine
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A 2008 Study of 2 Combat Veterans
Reduced anxiety, depression, anger and physical pain
Silver, Steve, Rogers, S, Russell, M. (2008) Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing in the treatment of war veterans. J. Clin. Psychology Aug. 64(8):947-57
A 2006 British Columbian study of 5 people with Phantom Limb Pain
Between 3 and 9 sessions of EMDR
All reported significantly reduced pain and increased self-efficacy
4 out of 5 reported elimination of pain
1 subject dropped out after pain reduced by 50%
Wilensky (2006) Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as a treatment for phantom limb pain. Journal of Brief Therapy, 5, 31–44.
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2008 case study of a U.S.marine with Phantom Limb Pain (high leg traumatic amputation). 5 sessions of EMDR with reduction in Phantom Limb Pain and elimination of PTSD symptoms.
Russell(2008 April).Clinical Case Studies. Sage Publications. Treating traumatic amputation-related phantom limb pain: A case study utilizing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing within the armed services
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A 2000 study of 7 amputees with Phantom Limb Pain
Most reported pain disappeared after three sessions
Wilson S.A., Tinker, R., Becker, L.A., Hofman, A. & Cole, J (2000 September). EMDR treatment of phantom limb pain with brain imaging (MEG). Paper presented at the annual meeting of the EMDR Association, Toronto, Canada.
Other Chronic Pain Research
A 2002 study of 3 chronic pain sufferers
All reported significantly decreased pain and depression
One reported a dramatic reduction
Grant, M. & Threlfo, C. (2002). EMDR in the treatment of chronic pain.
Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(12), 1505-1520.
A 1993 study of 27 chronic pain sufferers
19 completed treatment
12 experienced significant reduction in pain
Hassard (1993) Investigation of Eye Movement Desensitization and reprocessing in Pain Clinic patients. Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy Journal.
Hekmat, H. Groth, S. & Rogers, D. (1994) Pain ameliorating effects of eye movement desensitization. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 25, 121-130.
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A 2009 study with 30 participants with chronic pain. Three treatment conditions: 1) EMDR, 2) EMDR with music and 3) no treatment
Pain tolerance was significantly improved in EMDR groups
Mazzola, Alexandra, Calcagno, Marea, Lujon, Goicochea, et al., (2009) EMDR in the treatment of Chronic Pain. (2009) Journal of EMDR Practice and Research.
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A 1992 study of a fireman with burns pain and PTSD. Both
Pain and PTSD resolved with EMDR treatment
McCann, D.L. (1992) Posttraumatic stress disorder due to devastating burns overcome by a single session of eye-movement desensitization. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 23, 319-323.