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
Istanbul Galata University
Lead sponsor