Can eye movement therapy help HIV patients heal trauma?
NCT ID NCT03848858
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a proven treatment for trauma, can help people recently diagnosed with HIV. Forty participants were split into two groups: one received standard medical care plus weekly EMDR for up to 6 months, the other received standard care alone. The goal was to see if EMDR reduces psychological trauma, anxiety, and depression, and improves quality of life and HIV outcomes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a way to help people recently diagnosed with HIV cope with trauma and possibly improve their HIV treatment outcomes.
What could go wrong
This is a small pilot study with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It also relies on self-reported trauma scales, which can be subjective.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Parc de Salut Mar
Barcelona, 08019, Spain