Sports injuries and the application and effectiveness of EMDR(eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) therapy

The aim of the study is to examine the application and effect of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy in the healing of trauma resulting from injuries sustained by individuals participating in individual or team sports. The study examined both the trauma experienced by clients after their injuries and their anxiety levels. The study group consisted of seven individuals who participated in individual or team sports in Elazığ province. A mixed research method was used in this study. The concurrent sampling model was used from among the mixed research methods, and qualitative and quantitative data were evaluated separately. The sample group was the same for the creation of both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative findings were formed based on the participants' statements and reactions, while quantitative findings were obtained from pre-test and post-test data. Subsequently, qualitative and quantitative data were combined and evaluated. In this study, the SUD and VOC scores were used as quantitative data collection tools to assess traumatic reactions. In addition, the Sports Injury Anxiety Scale was used to measure anxiety levels. With the EMDR therapy technique, it was observed that SUD (Subjective Unit of Disturbance) negative cognition scores decreased from an average of "8-9" to "0" and VoC (Validity of Cognition) positive cognition scores increased from an average of "1-2" to "7" in traumatic reactions. These changes in scores revealed that the EMDR therapy technique was beneficial in reducing clients' traumatic thoughts, emotions, and reactions. Additionally, after using this technique, it was concluded that there was a significant decrease in values such as fear of losing ability, fear of being perceived as weak, fear of suffering pain, fear of causing disappointment, fear of losing social support, and fear of re-injury in the Sports Injury Anxiety Scale administered to the clients. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of EMDR in treating trauma and anxiety following injury and disability. However, it is believed that further studies with larger sample sizes would provide significant contributions to athletes and the field of sports psychology.