Efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors: a randomized single-case experimental design Eficacia de la terapia de desensibilización y reprocesamiento por movimientos oculares para el miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer entre sobrevivientes de cáncer: Un diseño experimental aleatorizado de caso único 眼动脱敏和再加工疗法对癌症幸存者癌症复发恐惧的疗效：随机单个案实验设计
Description
Background
Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of the greatest problems with which cancer survivors have to deal. High levels of FCR are characterized by intrusive thoughts about cancer-related events and re-experiencing these events, avoidance of reminders of cancer, and hypervigilance, similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy focuses on these images and memories. It is effective in reducing PTSD and may be effective in reducing high levels of FCR.
Objective
The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of EMDR for severe FCR in breast and colorectal cancer survivors.
Method
A multiple-baseline single-case experimental design (n = 8) was used. Daily repeated measurements for FCR were taken during the baseline phase and treatment phase, post-treatment, and at the 3 month follow-up. Participants answered the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS) and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, Dutch version (FCRI-NL) five times, i.e. at the start and at the end of each phase (baseline, treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up). The study was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NL8223).
Results
Visual analysis and effect size calculation by Tau-U were executed for the daily questionnaire on FCR. The weighted average Tau-U score was .63 (p < .01) for baseline versus post-treatment, indicating large change, and .53 (p < .01) between baseline and follow-up, indicating moderate change. The scores on the CWS and FCRI-NL-SF decreased significantly from baseline to follow-up.
Conclusion
The results seem promising for EMDR therapy as a potentially effective treatment for FCR. Further research is recommended.