EMDR in pediatric oncology: Comparison between EMDR and standard psychotherapy in pediatric patients, siblings and caregivers
Description
Background and aims
Oncological disease in pediatric age is a traumatic event with a high risk of traumatization for the whole family. Since EMDR therapy works directly on trauma, we hypothesize a quicker and more effectively reduction of intensity than a standard psychotherapy. Our purpose is to make a comparison between the two methods.
Methods
We screened patients, siblings and caregiver at the moment of oncological diagnosis and psycho-oncological care (T0) with a standardized questionnaire for PTSD-symptoms: Distress Thermometer and Impact of Event Scale (IES-R). Some patients will undergo EMDR therapy (Experimental Group) meanwhile others will receive a standard psychotherapy (Control Group). The same process, with the addition of Post-traumatic Growth Inventory test, will be administered after 8 sessions of psychotherapy (T1).
Results
We enrolled 15 subjects. Data shows at TO significant levels of distress (mean=7.8) and intense emotional activation. The IES shows higher scores in items recalling intense emotions and flashbacks. In Experimental Group results in SUD are significant: already after 2/3 sessions of EMDR it decreases from 8.75 to 0.
Conclusions
Preliminary data shows the intensity of emotional activation at the oncological diagnosis that decrease after few EMDR sessions. Data confirms the effectiveness of EMDR in terms of psychological well-being and leads the way for future research on EMDR in pediatric oncology. Results of T1 will be presented at the congress.
Abstract topic
Psychoncology, pediatric oncology, EMDR.
Oncological disease in pediatric age is a traumatic event with a high risk of traumatization for the whole family. Since EMDR therapy works directly on trauma, we hypothesize a quicker and more effectively reduction of intensity than a standard psychotherapy. Our purpose is to make a comparison between the two methods.
Methods
We screened patients, siblings and caregiver at the moment of oncological diagnosis and psycho-oncological care (T0) with a standardized questionnaire for PTSD-symptoms: Distress Thermometer and Impact of Event Scale (IES-R). Some patients will undergo EMDR therapy (Experimental Group) meanwhile others will receive a standard psychotherapy (Control Group). The same process, with the addition of Post-traumatic Growth Inventory test, will be administered after 8 sessions of psychotherapy (T1).
Results
We enrolled 15 subjects. Data shows at TO significant levels of distress (mean=7.8) and intense emotional activation. The IES shows higher scores in items recalling intense emotions and flashbacks. In Experimental Group results in SUD are significant: already after 2/3 sessions of EMDR it decreases from 8.75 to 0.
Conclusions
Preliminary data shows the intensity of emotional activation at the oncological diagnosis that decrease after few EMDR sessions. Data confirms the effectiveness of EMDR in terms of psychological well-being and leads the way for future research on EMDR in pediatric oncology. Results of T1 will be presented at the congress.
Abstract topic
Psychoncology, pediatric oncology, EMDR.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Ciappina, S., Roccia, ER., Zuchette, G., Geuna, T., Peirolo, C., Farette, E., Fernandez, I., & Fagioli, F. (2023, June). EMDR in pediatric oncology: Comparison between EMDR and standard psychotherapy in pediatric patients, siblings and caregivers. Presentation at the EMDR Europe Conference, Bologna, Italy
Citation
“EMDR in pediatric oncology: Comparison between EMDR and standard psychotherapy in pediatric patients, siblings and caregivers,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 17, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/28226.