The Effect of the EMDR Grief Protocol on Traumatic Grief in Individuals Who Experienced an Earthquake: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
The Effect of the EMDR Grief Protocol on Traumatic Grief in Individuals Who Experienced an Earthquake: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
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.
Inclusion Criteria:
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.
Exclusion Criteria: