EMDR therapy for chemotherapy-induced conditioned nausea and vomiting in cancer survivors
EMDR Treatment of Conditioned Nausea and Vomiting in Cancer Survivors - a Pilot Study
This study will try EMDR therapy to reduce chemotherapy-related conditioned nausea and vomiting in people who previously had cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 16 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Medical Center Groningen Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Groningen, Provincie Groningen) |
| Trial ID | NCT06769165 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study will deliver Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to adult cancer survivors who report persistent conditioned nausea and/or vomiting after systemic chemotherapy. Participants will receive a course of EMDR sessions at the University Medical Center Groningen and symptom severity will be measured before, immediately after, and at follow-up visits. The trial excludes people with ongoing psychiatric treatment, dissociative or personality disorders, complex type 2 trauma, severe somatic conditions, pregnancy, or substance abuse that could cause nausea. Results will compare symptom change to characterize whether EMDR reduces conditioned nausea and vomiting in this population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) who previously had a pathologically confirmed cancer diagnosis, were treated with systemic cancer therapy, have persistent conditioned nausea and/or vomiting for more than two months, and can understand spoken and written Dutch are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People currently in psychiatric treatment, those with dissociative or personality disorders, complex type 2 trauma, severe somatic contraindications, recent pregnancy, or substance abuse (or whose nausea is caused by non-cancer medications/conditions) may not benefit or are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, EMDR could reduce or eliminate conditioned nausea and vomiting and improve daily functioning and quality of life for cancer survivors.
How similar studies have performed: EMDR is well established for PTSD and has shown promising but limited positive results for conditioned nausea in small-scale reports, though rigorous trials are scarce.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Previously pathologically confirmed diagnosis of cancer * Previously treated with systemic cancer therapy * Persistent complaints (more than 2 months) of conditioned nausea and/or vomiting * Able to understand spoken and written Dutch * 18 years or older Exclusion Criteria: * Ongoing psychiatric treatment * EMDR therapy contraindications (dissociative disorders, personality disorders or severe somatic disorders (e.g. cardiac arrhythmias)) * Complex type 2 trauma * Known with recent conditions / non-anti-cancer medication which can elicit nausea (e.g. pregnancy or alcohol abuses)
Where this trial is running
Groningen, Provincie Groningen
- University Medical Center Groningen — Groningen, Provincie Groningen, Netherlands (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jacco J de Haan, MD, PhD — University Medical Center Groningen
- Study coordinator: Jacco J de Haan, MD, PhD
- Email: j.j.de.haan@umcg.nl
- Phone: +31503616161
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.