RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06767332

EMDR for Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Patients with Familial Melanoma: a Waiting List Control Trial

Sponsor

Leiden University Medical Center

Enrollment

30 participants

Start Date

Nov 1, 2023

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Familial Melanoma Fear of Cancer Recurrence Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Psychological Intervention

Summary

High fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) impacts patient's quality of life (QoL) and is prevalent among patients with familial melanoma. The main objective is to investigate whether EMDR is effective in treating high FCR in patients with familial melanoma. The study design is a non-blinded, randomized waiting-list controlled trial. Patients aged 18 years or older with familial melanoma can be included. Patients with high FCR will receive a maximum of 4, 90 minutes, EMDR-sessions. The main study parameter is the decrease and level of FCR measured with the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS). The secondary study parameter is quality of life, measured with the EORTC.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria3

a score of 16 or higher on the FCRI-NL-SF
years or older
diagnosed with familial melanoma

Exclusion Criteria3

insufficient knowledge of the Dutch language.
acute psychiatric disease (psychosis, suicidal ideation)
variable dosis of anxiolytics

Interventions

OTHEReye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is a psychological intervention that has historically been applied to the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but has since then been shown to be effective for a variety of anxiety disorders (e.g. fear of illness and specific phobia) (Logie \& de Jongh, 2014) and somatic complaints such as post-operative pain, medically unexplained symptoms and seizure-related post-traumatic stress (Dautovic, de Roos, van Rood, Dommerholt, \& Rodenburg, 2016; van Rood \& de Roos, 2009; Maroufi, Zamani, Izadikhah, Marofi, \& O'Connor, 2016). With more than 25 randomized clinical trials, EMDR has been established as an evidence-based intervention for PTSD and PTSD symptomatology including physical symptoms and fear of future catastrophes (Balkom van et al., 2013).