An interventional study of EMDR Flash Group Protocol in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acute Stress Disorder and Anxiety, sponsored by Istanbul Galata University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-29.
Sponsored by Istanbul Galata University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
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.
2,239 studies on the registry are indexed under Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; 554 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 410 is above the median of 70 across 1,858 interventional studies indexed under Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic.
Browse Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic studies →Istanbul Galata University is the lead sponsor of 8 studies on the registry; 4 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants received the online EMDR Flash Group Protocol delivered by trained mental health professionals. The intervention consisted of two group sessions lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes and was conducted via Zoom approximately one month after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
Behavioral: EMDR Flash Group Protocol
Participants assigned to the waitlist control group did not receive the EMDR Flash Group Protocol during the study period and completed the same assessment schedule as the intervention group.
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.
Change in PTSD Symptoms (PCL-5 Total Score)
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.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 3-month follow-up.
Change in Depression Symptoms (DASS-21 Depression)
Change in depression symptom severity measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) Depression subscale from baseline to 3-month follow-up.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 3-month follow-up.
Change in Anxiety Symptoms (DASS-21 Anxiety)
Change in anxiety symptom severity measured by the DASS-21 Anxiety subscale from baseline to 3-month follow-up.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 3-month follow-up.
Change in Stress Symptoms (DASS-21 Stress)
Change in depression symptom severity measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) Depression subscale from baseline to 3-month follow-up.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 3-month follow-up.
Plan to share: Undecided
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This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic→
Istanbul Galata University