Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Eye movement desensitization in fibromyalgia: a pilot study.

Fred Friedberg1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Putnam Hall/South Campus, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8790, USA. fred.friedberg@stonybrook.edu

Complementary Therapies in Nursing & Midwifery
|November 3, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Eye Movement Desensitization (EMD) effectively reduced pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in fibromyalgia patients. This therapy may be beneficial when standard relaxation methods are unsuccessful.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Molecular hydrogen as a treatment for ME/CFS: a mini-review of clinical evidence and mechanistic rationale.

Frontiers in medicine·2026
Same author

Uplifts and hassles are related to worsening in chronic fatigue syndrome: a prospective study.

Journal of translational medicine·2023
Same author

Uplifts and hassles are related to worsening in chronic fatigue syndrome A prospective study.

Research square·2023
Same author

Sex differences in post-exercise fatigue and function in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Scientific reports·2023
Same author

Nonimprovement in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Relation to Activity Patterns, Uplifts and Hassles, and Autonomic Dysfunction.

Psychosomatic medicine·2022
Same author

Autonomic markers, chronic fatigue syndrome, and post-exertion states.

Journal of psychosomatic research·2019

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Pain Management
  • Complementary Medicine

Background:

  • Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and psychological distress.
  • Existing treatments for fibromyalgia often have limited efficacy or significant side effects.
  • Novel therapeutic approaches are needed to improve patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization (EMD) in alleviating pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in patients with fibromyalgia.
  • To assess the immediate and long-term impact of EMD on fibromyalgia symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving six female fibromyalgia patients who underwent two EMD treatment sessions.
  • Outcome measures included standardized questionnaires for fibromyalgia impact, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

Related Experiment Videos

  • In-session measures involved thermal biofeedback and subjective ratings of discomfort, stress, and fatigue.

    • Main Results:

    • Four out of six participants responded positively to the EMD treatment.
    • EMD induced a relaxation response, evidenced by an average hand temperature increase of 5.4 degrees.
    • Significant reductions in anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia impact, and fatigue were observed post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up.

    Conclusions:

    • Eye Movement Desensitization demonstrates potential as an effective intervention for fibromyalgia symptoms.
    • The therapy's ability to elicit an automatic relaxation response suggests its utility for patients unresponsive to conventional techniques.
    • EMD offers a promising, minimally participatory approach for managing fibromyalgia's complex symptom profile.