This study will examine the effects of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) group therapy on adults who experienced the April 2025 Silivri earthquake in Turkey. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an EMDR intervention group or a waitlist control group. Psychological symptoms will be measured using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Quantitative EEG (QEEG) recordings will also be collected before and after the intervention to assess changes in brain activity related to emotional regulation and trauma processing. The goal of the study is to evaluate whether EMDR produces both clinical and neurophysiological improvements in trauma-exposed individuals.
Meeting DSM-5 criteria for posttraumatic stress symptoms following the April 2025 Silivri earthquake
Age between 18 and 50 years
Either medication-free for at least 1 month or on a stable dose of psychotropic medication
No medical contraindications for EEG recording (e.g., no epilepsy, no metal implants)
Current diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or a neurological disorder
Receiving psychotherapy
Inability to attend sessions regularly due to logistical or cognitive limitations
Parallel
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Group Therapy
BehavioralSessions conducted in groups with one therapist and one co-therapist; each session follows the EMDR standard protocol.
Change in Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (PCL-5)
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a 20-item self-report scale measuring the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms according to DSM-5 criteria. Scores range from 0 to 80, with higher scores indicating more severe PTSD symptoms. Change in total score from baseline (pre-intervention) to post-intervention will be assessed.
Change in Quantitative EEG (QEEG) Power Spectral Measures
EEG recordings will be collected using the Neuron-Spectrum-5 device according to the international 10-20 system. Power spectral analyses will be performed across frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, high beta). Changes in absolute and relative power from baseline to post-intervention will be examined.
Change in Quality of Life (SF-36)
The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) is a 36-item measure of health-related quality of life, covering physical functioning, role limitations, pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, and emotional well-being. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores reflecting better quality of life. Change in domain scores will be assessed from baseline to post-intervention.
Change in Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DASS-21)
The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) is a 21-item self-report instrument measuring emotional distress across three subscales (depression, anxiety, stress). Scores range from 0 to 42 for each subscale, with higher scores indicating greater severity. Change in scores will be assessed from baseline to post-intervention.
Change in Sleep Quality (PSQI)
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a 19-item self-report questionnaire assessing sleep quality and disturbances over the past month. Scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. Change in total score will be assessed from baseline to post-intervention.
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