This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To assess the effects of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), a psychological intervention programme, on symptoms related to traumatic stress in survivors of life-threatening medical events.

Secondary objectives: to evaluate whether the effects of EMDR differ according to the nature of the medical event (associated diagnosis or setting), measured outcome (post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, or quality of life), or intervention (online, face-to-face, group or individual sessions).