A study to test whether a group EMDR therapy can reduce war-related stress in displaced people in Lebanon

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
This study explored whether the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (EMDR G-TEP), a type of group therapy, could help young Lebanese adults who were forced to leave their homes during the 2024 Israeli war on Lebanon. The study included people born after the Lebanese civil war whose parents had lived through the war and who might also have been affected by its lasting impact. The study examined whether EMDR G-TEP reduced symptoms of posttraumatic stress, complex posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and distress related to trauma passed from one generation to the next.

Who can participate?
The study included 70 eligible Lebanese adults aged 18 to 34 years who were born after the end of the Lebanese civil war (1991 onwards). Participants had to have lived in Lebanon since 2019, have been internally displaced from their homes due to the 2024 Israeli war on Lebanon, and have symptoms of both anxiety and depression and/or symptoms of posttraumatic stress or complex posttraumatic stress based on questionnaires completed in an earlier study. People who had been displaced before the major attacks in September 2024, moved into homes they already owned, or had been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, or complex posttraumatic stress during the two years before September 2024 were not eligible. People who were receiving medication or psychological treatment for mental health problems, or who had psychosis, thoughts of suicide, substance dependence, or severe cognitive difficulties, also could not take part.

What does the study involve?
People who had taken part in an earlier related study, met the eligibility criteria, and agreed to be contacted again were invited by phone to take part. Those who agreed to participate were randomly assigned (by chance) to one of two groups. One group received the EMDR G-TEP therapy straight away, while the other group received the same therapy after a two-week wait. Before the therapy began, participants met with a trained mental health professional for a brief check to make sure it was safe and suitable for them to take part. The therapy was provided in small groups over two consecutive days and included four sessions (two sessions each day), with each session lasting up to two hours. The questionnaires completed in the earlier study were used as the starting point for the research. Participants in the group that waited for two weeks completed one additional online questionnaire at the end of the waiting period, just before starting the therapy. Participants in both groups then completed online questionnaires two weeks after the therapy and again one month later. These questionnaires asked about symptoms of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, complex posttraumatic stress, and distress related to trauma passed down from the civil war.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants received free therapy that might have helped them manage trauma and emotional distress. The study also helped researchers learn more about how well this therapy worked for people affected by war and by trauma passed from one generation to the next. Answering the questionnaires or taking part in the therapy could have brought up upsetting memories or feelings. Participants could choose to skip any question and were free to leave a therapy session or withdraw from the study at any time. Support was available throughout the therapy, including one-on-one support if needed. All personal information was kept private and secure, and only summary findings were shared in reports or publications.

Where is the study run from?
The therapy sessions took place at community centers in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, Beqaa, and South Lebanon. All questionnaires were completed online.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2025 to July 2025

Who is funding the study?
This study is part of a PhD project and is not receiving any outside funding.

Who is the main contact?
Mrs Charlotte El Khalil, charlotte.el-khalil59@drd.unibuc.ro
Mr Johnny Moran, johnny@openmindscentre.ie

Contact information

Mrs Charlotte El khalil
Public, Scientific

Imaret Shalhoub, chant Building, 3rd floor
Zalqa
-
Lebanon

ORCID ID	0009-0001-6156-9255
Phone	+961 3559777
Email	charlotte.el-khalil59@drd.unibuc.ro

Prof Catalin Nedelcea
Principal investigator

Șoseaua Panduri 90 Romania
Bucharest
050663
Romania

ORCID ID	0000-0001-5951-1401
Phone	+40314253445
Email	catalin.nedelcea@fpse.unibuc.ro

Mr Johnny Moran
Public, Scientific

10 Mellifont Ave, Dún Laoghaire
Dublin
A96 KE47
Ireland

ORCID ID	0009-0008-8595-5119
Phone	+353 9025020
Email	johnny@openmindscentre.ie

Study information

Eligibility

Locations

Countries of recruitment

• Lebanon

Study participating centre

Results and Publications

Editorial Notes

20/07/2026: The following changes were made to the study record:
1. The scientific title was changed from "Effectiveness of EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) in reducing war-related distress among internally displaced Lebanese: a randomized controlled trial" to "Effectiveness of EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) in reducing war-related distress among internally displaced Lebanese second-generation descendants: a randomised controlled trial".
2. The study objectives were changed.
3. The Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied was changed.
4. The interventions were changed.
5. The primary outcome(s) were changed.
6. The key secondary outcome(s) were changed.
7. The total final enrolment was changed from 70 to 48.
8. The key inclusion criteria were changed.
9. The key exclusion criteria were changed.
10. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
19/08/2025: The completion date was changed from 31/08/2025 to 10/07/2025.
18/06/2025: Contact details updated.
06/05/2025: Trial's existence confirmed by The Scientific Research Ethics Committee of the University Of Bucharest.