Effect of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy in a patient with anxiety and burning mouth syndrome

To propose an alternative treatment for burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

BMS is a serious condition that negatively affects the physical and emotional health of the elderly. Pharmacological interventions are not always appropriate in this population and may have significant side effects.

We present the case of an 86-year-old woman who has been suffering from BMS for 30 years and has been experiencing impaired quality of life, particularly sleep disturbances. Because standard pharmaceutical medications failed to alleviate the patient's pain, we proposed EMDR as an alternative therapeutic approach. Baseline measures included depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, daytime and nighttime pain and sleep quality. To anticipate anxious thoughts associated with pain, seven 45-min EMDR sessions were conducted.

Therapy resulted in reduced anxiety symptoms (-30%), improved pain control (-10% daytime, -60% nighttime) and improved sleep quality (+50%). This positive effect lasted for 4 months, and no serious negative effects were observed.

EMDR therapy may help older adults with BMS improve their pain and psychological management.