Use of an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in chronic pain management: A pilot study

Introduction. Chronic pain is a major healthcare issue. Additional costs involved in pain management each year in France amount to more than one billion euros. While painkillers have been proven effective in treating acute pain, their long-term use has negative side effects reducing their effectiveness. Psychotherapeutic schemes like hypnosis and cognitive-behavioural therapies also seem to show mixed results. Objective. Considering that the use of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an innovative approach in chronic pain management, the main focus of this research was to compare the use of EMDR therapy versus eclectic healthcare in a hospital unit specialized in the management of chronic pain. Method. Forty-five patients divided into three groups were treated by standard protocol of EMDR therapy, pain protocol of EMDR therapy and eclectic therapy. Results. Results show the effectiveness of EMDR therapy on sensory, cognitive, behavioural and emotional but also traumatic components of pain, EMDR standard protocol being most efficient after five sessions, and a reduction of pain extending one month after therapy has been discontinued. Conclusion. The interest in the of EMDR in chronic pain management then lies partly in its effectiveness in a few sessions, but also in clinical fast emergence and awareness that it allows to obtain from these patients. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.