Addressing Psychological Distress in Lung Cancer: The Emerging Role of EMDR Therapy

Psychological distress in patients with lung cancer remains an underappreciated yet clinically significant challenge, with anxiety and depression frequently undermining both quality of life and treatment engagement. Additionally, many individuals diagnosed with lung cancer experience health-related stigma—often rooted in perceptions around smoking history—which can intensify emotional suffering and contribute to trauma-like symptoms.

A pilot study presented at the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer explored the prevalence and impact of such distress and evaluated the potential of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as a supportive intervention.

Among the 19 patients enrolled between March 2024 and March 2025, levels of distress were substantial. While the average Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) score hovered around 47.8, indicating a moderate symptom burden, over a quarter of participants (26%) exceeded the threshold for PTSD symptoms.

In parallel, anxiety and depression scores from the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were elevated, with nearly two-thirds (63%) meeting the criteria for significant overall distress.

Stigma, measured via the Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale (CLCSS), emerged as a meaningful correlate of psychological distress. Patients reporting higher stigma levels demonstrated significantly more depressive symptoms, as well as increased PTSD intrusion and hyperarousal features (all r ≈ 0.47–0.49; p < .05).

Importantly, stigma scores did not significantly differ between those with or without a smoking history, suggesting that perceived blame and social judgment may be internalized regardless of actual behavior.

In light of the trauma-related features observed, the study incorporated a focused exploration of EMDR therapy. Traditionally used to treat PTSD, EMDR guides patients through structured eye movement sequences while recalling traumatic memories, aiming to reprocess distressing experiences and reduce emotional reactivity.

In this cohort, EMDR yielded statistically significant reductions across all subscales of the IES-R (p < .05), as well as improvements in both anxiety and depression scores on the HADS (p < .05).

These findings suggest EMDR may offer not only PTSD-specific relief but also broader affective stabilization—addressing the emotional fallout of diagnosis and perceived social stigma.

Clinical Implications: Integrating Trauma-Informed Oncology Care

This early-phase research reinforces several critical considerations for multidisciplinary cancer care:

• Routine screening for psychological distress and health-related stigma using standardized tools like the HADS and CLCSS can help identify vulnerable patients early.
• Clinicians should remain alert to signs of internalized stigma.
• Trauma-focused interventions such as EMDR represent a promising approach to managing cancer-related distress.
• Smoking status alone should not dictate assumptions about psychological vulnerability or stigma burden.

While limited by its small sample size, this study points to an important intersection between psychological trauma, stigma, and cancer care. As lung cancer survival rates improve, the demand for comprehensive, patient-centered mental health strategies is increasing. Incorporating mental health as a central pillar of lung cancer treatment not only addresses suffering, but may ultimately improve adherence, patient satisfaction, and clinical outcomes.

Reference:

Catino A, Bafunno D, D’Alonzo G, et al. Stigma and psychological distress in patients with lung cancer: A possible role of EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy. Presented at: World Conference on Lung Cancer; September 9, 2025; Barcelona, Spain. Session OA17.