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Effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy in reducing infertility distress in
Patricia Lisa Jackson1, Peter Saunders2, Simone Mizzi2
1Department of Psychology, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia patricialisajackson@gmail.com.
Introduction:
Infertility is a global health concern affecting 10%-15% of couples, often accompanied by profound psychological distress for women. Various psychological interventions being trialled in this population, outcomes have been mixed, underscoring the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, originally developed for trauma-related conditions, is a promising alternative. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in reducing infertility-related distress and improving psychological well-being among women undergoing fertility treatment.
Methods And Analysis:
This is a randomised crossover trial with two groups: an immediate EMDR therapy treatment group and a waitlist control group. 64 women who meet eligibility criteria for infertility-related psychological distress will be randomly assigned (1:1) using block randomisation. The intervention consists of 6 weekly EMDR sessions delivered by an accredited EMDR practitioner. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. Outcomes include infertility-related distress measured by the Infertility Distress Scale (IDS) and Fertility Quality of Life scale (FertiQoL), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), trauma symptoms measured by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R), psychological well-being measured by Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS), self-esteem measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), general health measured by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and coping strategies measured by the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief-COPE). A qualitative component using reflexive thematic analysis will explore participants' subjective experiences of EMDR and infertility.
Ethics And Dissemination:
This trial has received ethical approval from the RMIT University Human Research Ethics Committee (2025-28286-27180). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and participant summaries. All participants will provide written informed consent, and those in the waitlist group will receive the intervention following the initial study period, aligning with ethical principles of beneficence and justice.
Trial Registration Number:
ACTRN12624001289505p.
