EMDR Intervention for Psychological Trauma Among Syrian Refugees

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
To implement an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)intervention to treat the trauma symptoms among Syrian Refugees.

Detailed Description
-----------------
In this project we aim to treat the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among Syrian refugees through an effective psycho-therapy technique called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Randomly selected refugees will be assessed through MINI PLUS for the diagnose of PTSD. Eighty refugees with PTSD will be randomly allocated to either 7 sessions EMDR or wait-list control group.Symptoms of PTSD (MINI PLUS, HTQ, IES-R) and depression and anxiety (BDI, HSCL)will be assessed at pre- and post-treatment and 4 weeks follow-up. However, to our knowledge this is one of the first intervention studies which will be conducted in a refugee camp. Therefore we expect to have some practical and logical problems. In order to see the feasibility and efficacy of EMDR among Syrian refugees, before the main study we aim to run a pilot study with less participants. In the pilot we will assess the posttraumatic stress symptoms with Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the depressive symptoms through Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II).

Official Title
-----------------
EMDR Treatment for Psychological Trauma Among Syrian Refugees in Kilis, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Conditions
-----------------
Psychological Trauma

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Behavioral: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: trauma symptoms Exclusion Criteria: pregnancy current or past psychotic disorder current or past substance abuse or dependence serious physical illness active suicidal ideation

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: EMDR intervention<br>40 participants with trauma symptoms will be randomly assigned to treatment group and receive EMDR intervention for trauma symptoms.EMDR is a trauma focused therapy starts with resource development and continue with bilateral stimulation while working on the most troubling traumatic memory. | Behavioral: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Waiting List<br>40 participants with trauma symptoms will be randomly assigned to waiting list as the control group. | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| score on Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (at the main study) | The change in HTQ score will be assessed after the EMDR treatment has finished after 7 weeks(estimated). | before and after the treatment,an expected average of 7 weeks of EMDR treatment | 
| Impact of Event Scale Revised (at the pilot study and the main study) | The change in IES-R score will be assessed after the EMDR treatment has finished after 7 weeks(estimated). | pre- and post treatment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| score on HSCL for depressive and anxiety symptoms (at the main study) | The change in HSCL score will be assessed after the EMDR treatment has finished in 7 weeks in average. | before and after the treatment, an expected average of 7 weeks of EMDR treatment | 
| Score on BDI-II (pilot study and the main study) | A change in BDI-II will be assessed after the EMDR treatment has completed in 7 weeks. | before and after EMDR treatment, an expected average of 7 weeks of EMDR treatment |