Effects of a Group EMDR Intervention on Narrative Complexity and Specificity of Autobiographical Memories: the Hug the Child Study (HTC)

N/ACompletedNCT05319002

University of Pisa27 enrolled

Overview

Background and study aims: The Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Group Protocol with Children (EMDR-GP/C) was first developed by Korkmazlar following the Marmara earthquake in Turkey in 1999 and can be adapted for different populations. The aim of this study is to assess if a EMDR-GP program may help primary school students in improving narrative complexity and specificity of autobiographical memories, as well as their subjective unit of distress (SUD) and validity of cognition (VoC). Who can participate? Students attending the fourth or fifth year of primary school What does the study involve? Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. Participants in the experimental group will undergo a 3-week EMDR-GP with weekly 60-minute group sessions (3 sessions), while the control group will follow routine daily school activities. Questionnaires will be used to assess narrative complexity, specificity of autobiographical memories, SUD and VoC before and after the intervention. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Benefits of participating in the study may include an improvement of narrative complexity, specificity of autobiographical memories, and their SUD and VoC.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Child, Only Narration

Interventions

Group EMDRBEHAVIORAL

The eight phases of the adapted group EMDR protocol was administered during each session: 1. Meeting: Explaining the nature of trauma, group rules, name tags, filling in the scales. 2. Preparation: Exploring children's support system, explaining EMDR, safe place, resource exercise, and installation with bilateral stimulation (BLS, butterfly hug or knee tapping). 3. Assessment: Drawing the worst image on a small separate sheet of paper, SUD level, (negative cognition, emotions, body sensations - if possible). 4. Desensitization: It is done with drawing on 4 separate papers with BLS (butterfly hug or knee tapping). 5. Installation: With the healing story written according to the adaptive information processing (AIP) model, the installation is accompanied BLS. 6. Body scan: A positive body state is installed with the relaxation technique. 7. Closure \& future template: Strong closure with artwork. 8. Re-evaluation: if possible.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 9 YearsMax age: 11 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Children aged 9 to 11 years 2. Children have reasonable comprehension of spoken language and can follow simple instructions 3. Children and their parents are willing to attend all intervention sessions 4. Children and parents have an adequate understanding of Italian Exclusion Criteria: 1. Concurrent enrollment in other intervention trials 2. Child regularly practices EMDR intervention, or other therapeutical interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or meditation.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Event coding - Pre-intervention

Event coding is measured using Manual for Coding Events in Self Defining Memories. "Relationship" nominal score means a better outcome

Time frame: Event coding is measured before the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Memory specificity level - Pre-intervention

Memory specificity level is measured using Classification System and Scoring for Self-defining Autobiographical Memories. "Specific" nominal score means a better outcome

Time frame: Memory specificity level is measured before the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Narrative complexity level - Pre-intervention

Narrative complexity level is measured using Coding System for autobiographical Memory Narratives in Psychotherapy. Higher scores mean a better outcome.

Time frame: Narrative complexity level is measured before the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Subjective Unit of Distress - Pre-intervention

Subjective Unit of Distress is measured using a self-reporting scale with a 0- to 10-point rating scale. Higher scores mean a worse outcome

Time frame: Subjective Unit of Distress is measured before the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Validity of Cognition - Pre-intervention

Validity of Cognition is measured using a self-reporting scale with a 1- to 7-point rating scale. Higher scores mean a better outcome

Time frame: Validity of Cognition is measured before the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Event coding - Post-intervention

Event coding is measured using Manual for Coding Events in Self Defining Memories. "Relationship" nominal score means a better outcome

Time frame: Event coding is measured after the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Memory specificity level - Post-intervention

Memory specificity level is measured using Classification System and Scoring for Self-defining Autobiographical Memories. "Specific" nominal score means a better outcome

Time frame: Memory specificity level is measured after the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Narrative complexity level - Post-intervention

Narrative complexity level is measured using Coding System for autobiographical Memory Narratives in Psychotherapy. Higher scores mean a better outcome.

Time frame: Narrative complexity level is measured after the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Subjective Unit of Distress - Post-intervention

Subjective Unit of Distress is measured using a self-reporting scale with a 0- to 10-point rating scale. Higher scores mean a worse outcome

Time frame: Subjective Unit of Distress is measured after the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Validity of Cognition - Post-intervention

Validity of Cognition is measured using a self-reporting scale with a 1- to 7-point rating scale. Higher scores mean a better outcome

Time frame: Validity of Cognition is measured after the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Autobiographical memory definition - Pre-intervention

Autobiographical memory definition is measured using Coding System for Autobiographical Memory Narratives in Psychotherapy. "Autobiographic" nominal score means a better outcome.

Time frame: Autobiographical memory definition is measured before the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Memory integration level - Pre-intervention

Memory integration level is measured using Classification System and Scoring for Self-defining Autobiographical Memories. "Integrated" nominal score means a better outcome

Time frame: Memory integration level is measured before the 3-week group EMDR intervention

Autobiographical memory definition - Post-intervention