The effect of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing on fibromyalgia: A multiple-baseline experimental case study across ten participants

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and stiffness in muscles and joints. Traumatic life experiences and post-traumatic stress symptoms play a role in its development and persistence. Although previous research suggests that pain and FM symptoms decrease after eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, its effectiveness has not been investigated in a controlled manner. The present study investigated the effectiveness of a six-session, 90-minute EMDR therapy using a multiple baseline single-case experimental design (SCED) across ten adult females with FM. The SCED involved a baseline, intervention, one- and three-month follow-up phase. The primary outcome was pain. Secondary outcomes included post-traumatic stress symptoms, other FM symptoms (fatigue, stiffness in muscles and joints), and the impact of FM on daily activities and sleep. Data were statistically analyzed by primarily testing means across phases on an individual and group level. Post-traumatic stress symptoms improved significantly in seven participants. Pain severity decreased significantly in six participants, with three of them maintaining significant improvement three months later. One participant showed clinically relevant change one month later. Furthermore, improvements were observed in secondary outcome measures. The findings support the efficacy of EMDR in reducing FM symptoms.