EMDR for misphonia: A pilot study
Description
Background
Misophonia is recently recognized condition in which patients suffer from anger/ disgust when confronted with specific sounds such as smacking or breathing, causing avoidance of cue related situations resulting in significant functional impairment [1]. Though the first treatment studies with CBT showed promising results [2], more interventions are needed.
Objective
The aim of this pilot study was to assess efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing misophonia symptoms.
Methods
A sample of 10 adult participants with misophonia were studied in the outpatient clinic of the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. Participants were either on the waiting list for CBT or non-responders to CBT. Intervention was 1-4 EMDR sessions focused on misophonia-related targets (using the First-Method). At indication and evaluation self-assessed ratings of misophonia symptoms (AMISOS-R, primary outcome), of general psychopathology (SCL-90-R) and of quality of life (EQ5-D, SDS, WHOQoL-BREF) were administered. Additional qualitative data consisted of the Clinical Global Impression Improvement scale (CGI-I) and misophonia symptom diaries.
Results
In eight patients targets were found and seven patients completed EMDR. A paired t-test showed improvement on the primary outcome (-6.14 [MD], 5.34 [SD] on the AMISOS-R (P= .023), but no significant effect on secondary outcomes. Three patients were clinically improved, one of them with much improvement (CGI-I<3).
Conclusions
These preliminary results suggest that EMDR focused on misophonia-related memories, in specific cases reduces misophonia symptoms. However, larger outcome studies are required.
Misophonia is recently recognized condition in which patients suffer from anger/ disgust when confronted with specific sounds such as smacking or breathing, causing avoidance of cue related situations resulting in significant functional impairment [1]. Though the first treatment studies with CBT showed promising results [2], more interventions are needed.
Objective
The aim of this pilot study was to assess efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing misophonia symptoms.
Methods
A sample of 10 adult participants with misophonia were studied in the outpatient clinic of the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. Participants were either on the waiting list for CBT or non-responders to CBT. Intervention was 1-4 EMDR sessions focused on misophonia-related targets (using the First-Method). At indication and evaluation self-assessed ratings of misophonia symptoms (AMISOS-R, primary outcome), of general psychopathology (SCL-90-R) and of quality of life (EQ5-D, SDS, WHOQoL-BREF) were administered. Additional qualitative data consisted of the Clinical Global Impression Improvement scale (CGI-I) and misophonia symptom diaries.
Results
In eight patients targets were found and seven patients completed EMDR. A paired t-test showed improvement on the primary outcome (-6.14 [MD], 5.34 [SD] on the AMISOS-R (P= .023), but no significant effect on secondary outcomes. Three patients were clinically improved, one of them with much improvement (CGI-I<3).
Conclusions
These preliminary results suggest that EMDR focused on misophonia-related memories, in specific cases reduces misophonia symptoms. However, larger outcome studies are required.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Jager, I., Vulink, N., Denys, D., & de Roos, C. (2021, June). EMDR for misphonia: A pilot study. Presentation at the 20th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Virtual
Citation
“EMDR for misphonia: A pilot study,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 16, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/26938.