The effectiveness of EMDR G-TEP and Flash Group Protocol as early EMDR interventions for PTSD symptoms following an earthquake
Description
Background and Aims
In the aftermath of natural disasters, it is important to deliver early interventions.1 This randomized controlled trial (RCT) examines the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) and Flash Group Protocol (FGP)2 in reducing earthquake-related early posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Methods
One month after September 2019 Istanbul earthquake, twenty-eight (female=27, male=1) survivors were randomly assigned to G-TEP (n=10), FGP (n=10) and waitlist (WL) (n=8) groups. PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was administered before the treatment (T1), one week after the treatment (T2) and at one-month follow-up (T3). The Psychological Potential Inventory (PPI)3 (Resilience) was administered at T1 and T3. The experimental groups received 120-minutes of group therapy on two consecutive days.
Results
PCL-5 scores at T2 were not significantly different between three groups (p=0.097). The G-TEP (p=0.016) and FGP (p=0.043) groups had significantly lower PCL-5 scores than WL group at T3. For the G-TEP group, PCL-5 scores at T1 and T2 did not show significant change, but PCL-5 scores at the T3 were significantly lower than both T1 and T2 (p<0.01). For the FGP group, PCL-5 scores at T2 and T3 were both significantly lower (p<0.01) than T1 scores, with no significant difference between T2 and T3 scores. T3 PPI scores were significantly higher than T1 for both the G-TEP (p<0.01) and FGP groups (p=0.028).
Conclusions
The results of this RCT indicate that implementing the EMDR G-TEP and FGP are effective in reducing early PTSD symptoms and strengthening resilience.
In the aftermath of natural disasters, it is important to deliver early interventions.1 This randomized controlled trial (RCT) examines the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) and Flash Group Protocol (FGP)2 in reducing earthquake-related early posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Methods
One month after September 2019 Istanbul earthquake, twenty-eight (female=27, male=1) survivors were randomly assigned to G-TEP (n=10), FGP (n=10) and waitlist (WL) (n=8) groups. PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was administered before the treatment (T1), one week after the treatment (T2) and at one-month follow-up (T3). The Psychological Potential Inventory (PPI)3 (Resilience) was administered at T1 and T3. The experimental groups received 120-minutes of group therapy on two consecutive days.
Results
PCL-5 scores at T2 were not significantly different between three groups (p=0.097). The G-TEP (p=0.016) and FGP (p=0.043) groups had significantly lower PCL-5 scores than WL group at T3. For the G-TEP group, PCL-5 scores at T1 and T2 did not show significant change, but PCL-5 scores at the T3 were significantly lower than both T1 and T2 (p<0.01). For the FGP group, PCL-5 scores at T2 and T3 were both significantly lower (p<0.01) than T1 scores, with no significant difference between T2 and T3 scores. T3 PPI scores were significantly higher than T1 for both the G-TEP (p<0.01) and FGP groups (p=0.028).
Conclusions
The results of this RCT indicate that implementing the EMDR G-TEP and FGP are effective in reducing early PTSD symptoms and strengthening resilience.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Konuk, M, Yurtsever, A., Çetinkaya, M.,Sagaltici, E., Gülen, B., Tarlm, N., Savran, C., & Kavakci, Ö. (2021, June). The effectiveness of EMDR G-TEP and Flash Group Protocol as early EMDR interventions for PTSD symptoms following an earthquake. Presentation at the EMDR Europe Association Conference, Virtual
Citation
“The effectiveness of EMDR G-TEP and Flash Group Protocol as early EMDR interventions for PTSD symptoms following an earthquake,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 10, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/26941.