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Effect of EMDR for Reduction of Pain Interference in Children With Sickle Cell Disease
Sponsor: Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)
Summary
Children with sickle cell disease may experience frequent painful episodes. This, together with the traumatic experiences during a hospitalization, can lead to the development of posttraumatic stress reactions. As the stress can trigger painful episodes (pain crisis) in children with sickle cell disease, the investigators think that treating these stress symptoms can reduce the pain-related problems in their lives. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is proven to be an effective trauma treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. Research studies show that EMDR can reduce pain in adults. The investigators want to study now if EMDR effective is in reducing pain-related problems in children with sickle cell disease.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
6 Years - 18 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
40
Start Date
2024-09-20
Completion Date
2027-07-01
Last Updated
2025-06-03
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
The Dutch version of the standard EMDR protocol with age-specific adaptations for children and adolescents will be used. The eight phases consist of history taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and re-evaluation. During an EMDR session, the child focuses on emotionally disturbing memories (images, thoughts, emotions, and sensations) while simultaneously focusing on an external distracting stimulus (e.g., eye movements). This process facilitates accessing and desensitizing the traumatic memory network, so information processing is enhanced, and new associations can be made between the traumatic memory and more adaptive memories and information. As a result, the traumatic memory representation will be less intense and emotionally disturbing. After the intake session (week 1), including case conceptualization and treatment plan, a maximum of 6 weekly EMDR sessions with a duration of 1 hour per session will be offered.
Locations (1)
Amsterdam UMC
Amsterdam, Netherlands