EMDR and Phantom Limb Pain: Theoretical Implications, Case Study, and Treatment Guidelines

Abstract

This article reviews the literature on EMDR treatment of somatic complaints and describes the application of Shapiro’s Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model in the treatment of phantom limb pain. The case study explores the use of EMDR with a 38-year-old man experiencing severe phantom limb pain 3 years after the loss of his leg and part of his pelvis in an accident. Despite treatment at several rehabilitation and pain centers during the 3 years, and the use of opiate medication, he continued to experience persistent pain. After 9 EMDR treatment sessions, the patient’s phantom limb pain was completely ablated, and he was taken off medication. Effects were maintained at 18-month follow-up. The clinical implications of this application of EMDR are explored.

Comparison of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Duloxetine Treatment Outcomes in Women Patients with Somatic Symptom Disorder

“…In accordance with the extant literature of pain (Ray & Zbik, 2001;Rome & Rome, 2000), the AIP model prospects that particularly chronic pain is related to past traumatic experiences, which is assumed to be limbically augmented during the sensitization process (Shapiro, 2014). More importantly, in review of the literature strong evidence with respect to the utilization of EMDR in the treatment of chronic pain has been emerged (Bergmann, 1998;Grant, 1998;Grant & Threlfo, 2002;Schneider et al, 2007;Schneider, Hofmann, Rost, & Shapiro, 2008).…”

“…Of note is the fact that affective component of the noniceptive sensations has not been sufficiently taken into account in the previous models of chronic pain (Ray & Zbik, 2001). More recent models hold the premise that the role of the emotion is central in the genesis and maintenance of chronic pain and in turn suggest that treatment should be tailored in a manner addressing the emotional component of noniceptive sensations (Price, 2000;Rome & Rome, 2000;Schneider, Hofmann, Rost, & Shapiro, 2007;van Rood & de Roos, 2009).…”

“…The EMDR sessions were tailored according to the treatment guidelines for somatic symptomatology (Luber, 2009;Schneider et al, 2007) that were adapted from the basic EMDR protocol developed by Shapiro (2001). During the EMDR sessions although eight step standard protocol was followed by the therapists, somatic sensations and relevant painful memories became the focus of the therapeutic intervention.…”

Aplikasi eye moving desensitization dan reprocessing dalam konseling post-traumatic stress disorder

“…Schneider et al (2007) menyatakan bahwa tujuan utama perlakuan EMDR adalah untuk memperoleh akses dan proses menyimpan ingatan melalui suatu prosedur yang terstandar, yang termasuk pengulangan pergerakan mata, signal auditori, atau stimulasi yang dapat dirasakan. Selain itu, Dworkin (2005) mengemukakan bahwa tujuan EMDR adalah untuk memperbaiki keseimbangan syaraf, sehingga informasi dapat diproses menjadi suatu resolusi yang bersifat adaptif.…”

Evaluation of EMDR therapy efficacy in treatment of phantom limb pain

“…This may be resulted from inappropriately stored memories and chronic active pains (14)(15)(16)(17). These memories are important factors in PP, and their withdrawal may have a permanent effect on PP.…”