Acute Stress Disorder, Anxiety, Depression, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Conditions
Keywords
Flash Technique, EMDR, Flash Group Protocol, Early Intervention, Kahramanmaras Earthquake, Telemedicine, PTSD, Traumatic Stress
Brief summary
This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the preliminary effects of the online EMDR Flash Group Protocol among adults affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes in Türkiye. Participants were randomly assigned to either the EMDR Flash Group Protocol or a waitlist control group. The primary outcome was change in posttraumatic stress symptoms measured by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Secondary outcomes included depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 3-month follow-up.
Detailed description
The Kahramanmaraş earthquakes of February 2023 affected millions of people and were associated with substantial psychological distress, including posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Early psychological interventions may help reduce acute distress and improve posttraumatic outcomes following disaster exposure. This pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted approximately one month after the earthquakes. Adults affected by the disaster were recruited online and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the EMDR Flash Group Protocol intervention or a waitlist control condition. The intervention was delivered online via Zoom by trained mental health professionals using a standardized protocol consisting of two group sessions. The primary objective was to evaluate the preliminary effects of the EMDR Flash Group Protocol on posttraumatic stress symptoms. Secondary objectives were to evaluate changes in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. Outcomes were assessed using self-report measures at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. This study was conducted as a pilot trial to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the intervention following a large-scale natural disaster.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALEMDR Flash Group Protocol
The EMDR Flash Group Protocol was delivered online via Zoom by trained mental health professionals. The intervention consisted of two group sessions lasting approximately 60-90 minutes and was administered approximately one month after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
Sponsors
Istanbul Galata University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Due to the nature of the intervention, participants and intervention providers were aware of group assignment after randomization.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the EMDR Flash Group Protocol or a waitlist control condition.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18 years or older * Present in the earthquake-affected region during the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes * Directly experienced the earthquake or were affected through disaster-related exposure * Ability to participate in online sessions * Access to the necessary technological equipment and internet connection * Ability to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Intellectual disability * Current or past psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia) * Bipolar disorder * History of severe head trauma * Inability to participate in the online intervention format
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in PTSD Symptoms (PCL-5 Total Score) | Assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 3-month follow-up. | Change in posttraumatic stress symptom severity measured by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) total score from baseline to 3-month follow-up. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Depression Symptoms (DASS-21 Depression) | Assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 3-month follow-up. | Change in depression symptom severity measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) Depression subscale from baseline to 3-month follow-up. |
| Change in Anxiety Symptoms (DASS-21 Anxiety) | Assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 3-month follow-up. | Change in anxiety symptom severity measured by the DASS-21 Anxiety subscale from baseline to 3-month follow-up. |
| Change in Stress Symptoms (DASS-21 Stress) | Assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 3-month follow-up. | Change in depression symptom severity measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) Depression subscale from baseline to 3-month follow-up. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed