EMDR Grief Protocol for Traumatic Grief After Earthquake-Related Loss

NCT07776769 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024-20507-227
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 78
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Traumatic Grief; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD; Emotional Processing

Keywords

Earthquake; EMDR Grief Protocol; PTSD; Traumatic Grief; emotional processing; Randomized Controlled Trial; Disaster Mental Health

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• 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.

  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.

  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.

  Baseline and post-intervention (within 1 week after the final intervention session)

Study Arms (2)

EMDR Grief Protocol Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received three individual 60-minute sessions of the EMDR Grief Protocol, with one session administered per week.

Behavioral: EMDR Grief Protocol

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group received no intervention during the study period.

Interventions

EMDR Grief Protocol BEHAVIORAL

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.

EMDR Grief Protocol Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Aged 18 years or older. Experienced the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and lost a loved one.
• Literate. No active mental disorder such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. No cognitive impairment, such as severe memory loss, brain damage, or dementia. Had not received EMDR therapy following the earthquake. Voluntarily agreed to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Illiteracy. Presence of a physical or mental disorder that negatively affects judgment. Having received EMDR therapy following the earthquake

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Bilgi University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Şişli Municipality

Istanbul, şişli, 34381, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Pehlivan S. Deprem Deneyimlemiş Bireylerde EMDR Yas Protokolünün Travmatik Yas Sürecine Etkisi: Randomize Kontrollü Pilot Çalışma. Master's Thesis. Istanbul Bilgi University, Institute of Graduate Programs; 2025.

  RESULT

Related Links

• Related Info

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Prolonged Grief Disorder; Combat Disorders; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders; Stress Disorders, Traumatic

Study Officials

• Şükran Pehlivan Balkır, MSc

  Istanbul Bilgi University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Ersin Uygun, PhD

  Istanbul Bilgi University

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Researcher

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 18, 2026
• First Posted: August 20, 2026
• Study Start: February 23, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 19, 2025
• Study Completion: March 19, 2025
• Last Updated: August 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)