Traumatic GriefNCT07776769
EMDR Grief Protocol for Traumatic Grief After Earthquake-Related Loss
A study testing EMDR Grief Protocol in people with Traumatic Grief and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD, run by Istanbul Bilgi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Traumatic Grief, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD, Emotional Processing
- What is being tested?
- EMDR Grief Protocol
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 78 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 23 Feb 2025to 19 Mar 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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.
Who cannot join
- Illiteracy. Presence of a physical or mental disorder that negatively affects judgment. Having received EMDR therapy following the earthquake
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: 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.
Read the detailed description
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.
- Being tested
- EMDR Grief Protocol
- Keywords
- Earthquake, EMDR Grief Protocol, PTSD, Traumatic Grief, emotional processing, Randomized Controlled Trial, Disaster Mental Health
- Medical subject headings
- Prolonged Grief Disorder, Combat Disorders, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
EMDR Grief ProtocolBehavioural
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| EMDR Grief Protocol Group | Experimental | Participants received three individual 60-minute sessions of the EMDR Grief Protocol, with one session administered per week. Receives: Behavioral: EMDR Grief Protocol |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants in the control group received no intervention during the study period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: Baseline and post-intervention (within 1 week after the final intervention session)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Aug 2026
- Study start23 Feb 2025
- Primary completion19 Mar 2025
- Study completion19 Mar 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Traumatic GriefStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Bilgi University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Şükran Pehlivan Balkır, Istanbul Bilgi University
- Investigators
- Şükran Pehlivan Balkır, MSc, Principal investigator, Istanbul Bilgi UniversityErsin Uygun, PhD, Study chair, Istanbul Bilgi University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07776769
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024-20507-227
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to participant confidentiality and privacy considerations.
Publications
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.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of the EMDR Grief Protocol on Traumatic Grief in Individuals Who Experienced an Earthquake: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07776769
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2024-20507-227
- Keywords
- Earthquake, EMDR Grief Protocol, PTSD, Traumatic Grief, emotional processing, Randomized Controlled Trial, Disaster Mental Health
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Bilgi UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 23 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 19 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 19 Mar 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
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 design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| EMDR Grief Protocol Group | Experimental | Behavioral: EMDR Grief ProtocolParticipants received three individual 60-minute sessions of the EMDR Grief Protocol, with one session administered per week. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants in the control group received no intervention during the study period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- 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.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Illiteracy. Presence of a physical or mental disorder that negatively affects judgment. Having received EMDR therapy following the earthquake
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| EMDR Grief ProtocolThe 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. | Behavioural | EMDR Grief Protocol Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Assessed by the PCL-5
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (within 1 week after the final intervention session)
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.
Change in Traumatic Grief Symptoms Assessed by the TGI-SR
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (within 1 week after the final intervention session)
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.
Change in Emotional Processing Difficulties Assessed by the EPS-25
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (within 1 week after the final intervention session)
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.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Aug 2026.
- Results publicationPehlivan 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.
- Related InfoLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared due to participant confidentiality and privacy considerations.
Related trials for Traumatic Grief
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Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)
Active, not recruiting
Iyengar Yoga for Prolonged Grief Disorder
Prolonged Grief Disorder
Not yet recruiting
Mechanisms Underlying Late-Life Prolonged Grief Disorder
Prolonged Grief Disorder
Recruiting
Emotion-Focused Therapy in the Treatment of Prolonged Grief Disorder
Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)
Not yet recruiting
Family-authored Digital ICU Diary Intervention to Support Bereaved Family Members in Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Mixed Methods Study
Bereavement
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Şükran Pehlivan Balkır, MSc principal investigator
Istanbul Bilgi University
Ersin Uygun, PhD study chair
Istanbul Bilgi University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing EMDR Grief Protocol in people with Traumatic Grief and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD, run by Istanbul Bilgi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Assessed by the PCL-5 (time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (within 1 week after the final intervention session)). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07776769, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Aug 2026.