The eye movement desensitization and reprocessing approach in pain management – A case report of a patient with paraparesis

IntroductionSomatic symptoms such as pain from psychiatric cause may result from abnormalities in information processing mechanisms in the central nervous system. Bilateral stimulation of the brain by using alternating eye movements assists to unlock and reprocess experiences.AimThe aim of this article is the presentation of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) method in pain treatment.Case studyA 23-year-old patient with paraparesis due to traffic accident three years earlier resulting in incomplete transverse spinal cord damage reported severe pain in paralyzed lower limbs from about one year. Thorough physical and imaging examination had ruled out organic causes of the pain and the patient was diagnosed with psychogenic pain. The standard EMDR protocol was used. In order to determine the mental state of the patient, the following tests were applied: (1) beck depression inventory, (2) the pain disability index, (3) subjective units of distress, and (4) validity of cognition. Therapy was completed when the patient declared resolution of leg pain and returned to rehabilitation. Measurements were performed three times: before treatment, immediately after treatment completion and four months after treatment completion.Results and discussionDuring a six-week EMDR therapy, the patient achieved a significant improvement. The importance of eye movements in planning rehabilitation strategies in other approach, i.e. modulation of motor control, indicates new research directions of the contemporary comprehensive rehabilitation approach. This study is a single case report, and thus further larger scale studies are required.ConclusionsThe EMDR method could be helpful in psychogenic pain treatment.