The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress (EMDR-IGTP-OTS) in migrants with posttraumatic stress symptoms attending an adult education center (CPIA Salerno) in Italy. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do participants who receive the EMDR-IGTP-OTS intervention show greater reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms compared with participants assigned to a control condition? * Does the intervention lead to improvements in psychological distress and broader psychological functioning over time? * Is the EMDR-IGTP-OTS intervention feasible in an adult education setting, as indicated by treatment completion and adherence to the intervention protocol? Researchers will compare participants receiving the EMDR-IGTP-OTS group intervention with participants assigned to a control condition to determine whether the intervention is effective in reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms and psychological distress. Participants will: * Complete questionnaires assessing posttraumatic stress symptoms and psychological distress before the intervention, after the intervention, and at follow-up. * Participate in four structured group sessions of EMDR-IGTP-OTS delivered on consecutive days. * Be monitored for treatment completion and protocol adherence throughout the intervention period.
Posttraumatic stress symptoms are highly prevalent among migrants who have experienced potentially traumatic events during their life course and migration trajectories. These symptoms may negatively affect psychological functioning, adaptation, and participation in educational and social contexts. The present randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness and feasibility of the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress (EMDR-IGTP-OTS) in reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms and psychological distress among adult migrants attending an adult education center (CPIA Salerno) in Italy. The EMDR-IGTP-OTS is a structured group intervention based on the principles of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), adapted for individuals exposed to ongoing traumatic stress and for group-based delivery. The intervention is designed to facilitate the processing of traumatic memories and reduce trauma-related emotional distress through standardized therapeutic procedures conducted in a group format. Participants are randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving EMDR-IGTP-OTS or to a control condition. The study examines whether participation in the intervention is associated with greater improvements in posttraumatic stress symptoms and psychological distress compared with the control condition. Assessments are conducted before the intervention, after completion of the intervention, and at follow-up to evaluate changes over time. The primary endpoints are between-group differences in post-intervention posttraumatic stress symptoms assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Short PTSD Rating Interview (SPRINT). Secondary endpoints include: (a) between-group differences in change scores on the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-10 (CORE-10), a measure of global psychological distress; (b) treatment completion, defined as attendance at ≥80% of scheduled EMDR-IGTP-OTS sessions among participants assigned to the intervention condition; and (c) protocol adherence, assessed through therapist session logs documenting fidelity to each phase of the intervention protocol. The primary hypothesis is that participants receiving EMDR-IGTP-OTS will demonstrate greater reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms compared with participants in the control condition. Secondary hypotheses concern improvements in global psychological distress and the feasibility of delivering the intervention in an adult education setting, including treatment completion and protocol adherence.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
185
The Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Integrative Group Treatment Protocol for Ongoing Traumatic Stress (EMDR-IGTP-OTS) is a structured group behavioral intervention based on the principles of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The protocol is specifically adapted for individuals exposed to ongoing traumatic stress and is designed for delivery in group settings. The intervention consists of four structured group sessions delivered on consecutive days, following standardized procedures that include trauma processing, a form of art therapy, and bilateral stimulation techniques. The intervention aims to reduce posttraumatic stress symptoms and trauma-related distress.
Centro Provinciale Istruzione Adulti Salerno "Paulo Freire"
Salerno, Italy, Italy
Change in posttraumatic stress symptoms assessed by the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R)
The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) is a 22-item self-report measure assessing posttraumatic stress symptoms across three domains: intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Total scores range from 0 to 88, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after completion of the 4-day intervention (Day 4), and 30 days after completion of the intervention.
Change in posttraumatic stress symptoms assessed by the Short PTSD Rating Interview (SPRINT)
The Short PTSD Rating Interview (SPRINT) is an eight-item measure assessing posttraumatic stress symptom severity, distress, and functional impairment. Total scores range from 0 to 32, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after completion of the 4-day intervention (Day 4), and 30 days after completion of the intervention.
Change in global psychological distress assessed by the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-10 (CORE-10)
The Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-10 (CORE-10) is a 10-item self-report measure assessing global psychological distress. Items are rated on a 5-point response scale, producing total scores ranging from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater distress.
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after completion of the 4-day intervention (Day 4), and 30 days after completion of the intervention.
Protocol adherence to the EMDR-IGTP-OTS intervention
Protocol adherence was assessed through therapist session logs documenting the completion of predefined intervention components and fidelity to each phase of the EMDR-IGTP-OTS protocol. This measure was used to evaluate intervention delivery fidelity.
Time frame: Assessed during each of the four consecutive intervention sessions (Days 1-4).
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