Pilot Study of Combined EMDR Group and Individual Therapy for Adults with Advanced Thyroid Cancer

What this Trial Is About

The trial investigates the feasibility and effects of a combined Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol and optional individual EMDR therapy in people diagnosed with cancer. The study focuses on addressing traumatic stress related to cancer diagnosis, which can deeply impact emotions, cognition, and physical pain, affecting a persons sense of identity. This pilot study aims to evaluate how this combined behavioral intervention may help process cancer-related traumatic memories in people with advanced thyroid cancer or related conditions. Participants receive an integrated EMDR intervention that begins with group sessions using the EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress IGTP-OTS. This follows the EMDR 8-phase protocol to provide early emotional stabilization. Additional individual EMDR sessions are offered if needed to further support processing traumatic memories related to personal cancer experiences. This combined approach is studied as a behavioral intervention without drug treatments. During the study, participants complete the Impact of Event Scale-Revised IES-R to assess symptoms at baseline, after intervention about 1 month later, and at a follow-up visit approximately 3 months later. The study measures psychological distress and post-traumatic stress symptoms over time to observe potential changes. The total participation period includes these repeated assessments to monitor the interventions impact on cancer-related traumatic stress.

EMDR Integrative Group Protocol and Individual Treatment for Patients With Cancer: A Pilot Study