EMDR Therapy in Psycho-Oncology: A Bridge Between Mind and Body

Abstract

Of the many life-threatening illnesses, cancer can be one of the most traumatic and distressful. It impacts the individual’s sense of identity and interferes with essential features intrinsic to the person’s uniqueness and self-awareness. It attacks patients’ physical integrity, bringing death into the foreground and can directly threaten their sense of belonging to micro and macro social systems. This article stresses the importance of understanding that psychological pain and physical suffering are closely interconnected and, within the context of psycho-oncology, proposes a clinical perspective based on the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) approach, in which the cancer event is nested in the history of life of the patient. EMDR is a therapeutic approach guided by the adaptive information processing (AIP) model. The AIP model postulates that psychopathology results when unprocessed experiences are stored in their own neural network, incapable of connecting with other more adaptive networks. In this perspective, the core of the clinical suffering is hypothesized as embedded in these dysfunctionally suspended memories. In line with recent scientific literature presented in this article, it appears that previous and cancer-related traumas maintain a vicious cycle between psychological and physical health, and the aim of EMDR therapy is to break this cycle. Recent scientific research has hypothesized that EMDR therapy is effective at both the psychological and physical levels. However, because of the consistent heterogeneity of the research design, the findings reported in this article highlight the need for further controlled research for more comprehensive examination.

Neurobiological features and response to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in patients with breast cancer

“…EMDR is a trauma-focused psychotherapy using alternate bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tactile or audio) that seems to promote the reprocessing of dysfunctionally-stored information related to the traumatic event (Jeffries & Davis, 2013;Pagani, Amann, Landin-Romero, & Carletto, 2017). It has also been suggested to contribute to a better psychological adjustment to the disease in patients with cancer (Faretta & Civilotti, 2016;Lantheaume, 2018;Murray, 2016). Moreover, a specific EMDR therapy protocol for patients with cancer has been recently published (Faretta & Borsato, 2016), calling to compare its effectiveness with a supportive psychological intervention usually delivered in psycho-oncological settings, aiming at informing clinicians about best therapeutic options.…”

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in Child and Adolescent Psychology: a Narrative Review

“…In the psycho-oncology field, there is evidence [94,95] that EMDR therapy can enhance coping resources in adult patients and reduce post-traumatic and somatic symptoms [96]. In this area, the standard protocol has been altered to focus on the traumatic experience of dealing with a cancer diagnosis [94].…”

What are the psychological effects of mesothelioma on patients and their carers? A scoping review

“…Studies show that vulnerable participants can find benefit from participating, even if it is a distressing experience 41,42 . There is an important question about psychological trauma being caused by catastrophic diagnosis, frightening medical treatments, and symptoms such as breathlessness , 32,43,44 which requires investigation in regard to mesothelioma.…”