This pilot randomized controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of the EMDR Grief Protocol in adults who experienced the loss of a loved one in the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. A total of 78 adults participated in the study and were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. Participants in the intervention group received three individual sessions of the EMDR Grief Protocol, while the control group received no intervention during the study period. The study evaluated changes in traumatic grief symptoms, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and difficulties in emotional processing before and after the intervention.
This study was designed as a pilot randomized controlled trial with pre-test and post-test assessments. Participants were adults aged 18 to 65 years who experienced the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and lost at least one loved or close person due to the earthquakes. A total of 78 eligible participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n=39) or control group (n=39). The intervention consisted of three 60-minute individual EMDR Grief Protocol sessions. The sessions addressed past memories related to the loss, current triggers and difficulties in daily functioning, and future situations associated with adapting to life following the loss. The control group received no intervention during the study period. Traumatic grief symptoms, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and emotional processing difficulties were assessed before and after the intervention using the Traumatic Grief Inventory-Self Report (TGI-SR), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and Emotional Processing Scale (EPS-25), respectively.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
78
The EMDR Grief Protocol consisted of three 60-minute individual sessions administered once per week. Session 1 (Past) focused on processing the traumatic moment of death or learning about the death using the standard EMDR protocol based on the Adaptive Information Processing model. Session 2 (Present) focused on current triggers and disruptions in daily functioning. Session 3 (Future) focused on future challenging situations and adaptation to life in the absence of the loved one. All sessions were conducted by a certified EMDR therapist.
Şişli Municipality
Istanbul, şişli, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Assessed by the PCL-5
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were assessed using the Turkish version of the 20-item PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Higher scores indicate greater PTSD symptom severity.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (within 1 week after the final intervention session)
Change in Traumatic Grief Symptoms Assessed by the TGI-SR
Traumatic grief symptoms were assessed using the Turkish version of the 18-item Traumatic Grief Inventory-Self Report (TGI-SR). Higher scores indicate greater severity of grief symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (within 1 week after the final intervention session)
Change in Emotional Processing Difficulties Assessed by the EPS-25
Emotional processing difficulties were assessed using the Turkish version of the 25-item Emotional Processing Scale (EPS-25). The scale assesses five dimensions: suppression, signs of unprocessed emotion, unregulated emotions, avoidance, and impoverished emotional experience. Higher total scores indicate greater emotional processing difficulties.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (within 1 week after the final intervention session)
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