Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome: A single-case experiment testing the effect on persistent negative evaluation of fatigue
Description
Background
While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) can lead to the normalization of fatigue levels and resumption of activities, a subgroup of patients still evaluates fatigue negatively.
Objective
The objective was to investigate whether eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy leads to a less negative evaluation of fatigue. Method: This was a randomized single-case experimental study. Five CFS/ME patients (all female, mean age of 35 years), who had completed CBT but still evaluated fatigue negatively, received EMDR therapy. The primary outcome, that is, negative evaluation of fatigue, was assessed daily (three items, e.g., “My fatigue is frustrating”). During EMDR therapy sessions, distress in response to a selected image was measured. Clinical assessments were performed before, directly after, and 1 month after EMDR therapy.
Results
During EMDR therapy sessions, all patients reported high distress related to memories of having CFS/ME. EMDR therapy led to a reduction in this distress. Daily measured negative evaluations of fatigue declined in three patients, albeit not significantly. Three of five patients showed clinically relevant improvement in evaluations of fatigue on clinical pre-/post measures.
Conclusion
EMDR therapy can reduce emotional distress associated with fatigue, but it is unclear whether it can change its negative evaluation.
While cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) can lead to the normalization of fatigue levels and resumption of activities, a subgroup of patients still evaluates fatigue negatively.
Objective
The objective was to investigate whether eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy leads to a less negative evaluation of fatigue. Method: This was a randomized single-case experimental study. Five CFS/ME patients (all female, mean age of 35 years), who had completed CBT but still evaluated fatigue negatively, received EMDR therapy. The primary outcome, that is, negative evaluation of fatigue, was assessed daily (three items, e.g., “My fatigue is frustrating”). During EMDR therapy sessions, distress in response to a selected image was measured. Clinical assessments were performed before, directly after, and 1 month after EMDR therapy.
Results
During EMDR therapy sessions, all patients reported high distress related to memories of having CFS/ME. EMDR therapy led to a reduction in this distress. Daily measured negative evaluations of fatigue declined in three patients, albeit not significantly. Three of five patients showed clinically relevant improvement in evaluations of fatigue on clinical pre-/post measures.
Conclusion
EMDR therapy can reduce emotional distress associated with fatigue, but it is unclear whether it can change its negative evaluation.
Format
Journal
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Bouman, S., Müller, F., Onghena, P., & Knoop, H. (2023). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome: A single-case experiment testing the effect on persistent negative evaluation of fatigue. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 17(3), 106-118. doi: 10.1891/EMDR-2022-0060
Citation
“Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome: A single-case experiment testing the effect on persistent negative evaluation of fatigue,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 17, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/28355.