The effect of a visuospatial interference intervention on posttraumatic intrusions: a cross-over randomized controlled trial.
Eur J Psychotraumatol
; 15(1): 2331402, 2024.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38591762
ABSTRACT
Background:
Intrusive memories form a core symptom of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Based on concepts of visuospatial interference and memory-updating accounts, technological innovations aim to attenuate such intrusions using visuospatial interventions.Objective:
This study aims to test the effect of a visuospatial Tetris-based intervention versus a verbal condition (Wiki) and a never-targeted control (no intervention) on intrusion frequency.Method:
A randomized crossover trial was conducted including N = 38 PTSD patients who had at least 3 distinct intrusive memories of trauma. After both 2 weeks (intervention 1) and 4 weeks (intervention 2), one of the three memories was randomly selected and either the visuospatial intervention (memory reminder of a traumatic memory + Tetris) or verbal condition (reading a Wikipedia article + answering questions) was performed on their first memory in randomized order. In the week 4 session, the patient conducted the other intervention condition on their second memory (crossover). The third memory was never targeted (no intervention). Daily occurrence of intrusions over 8 weeks was collected using a diary and analysed using mixed Poisson regression models.Results:
Overall, there was no significant reduction in intrusion frequency from either intervention compared to each other, and to no intervention control (relative risk Tetris/Wiki 0.947; p = .31; relative risk no intervention/Tetris 1.060; p = .15; relative risk no intervention/Wiki 1.004; p = .92).Conclusions:
There was no effect of either intervention on intrusions when administered in a crossover design where participants received both interventions. Design shortcomings and consequences for future studies are discussed.
Visuospatial interventions, including the computer game Tetris, have been studied as a potential means to decrease intrusive memories, a core feature of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.In this study, two interventions are tested in a crossover design with patients with intrusive memories after traumatic experiences.There was no effect of either the visuospatial intervention or the verbal condition in this design.
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Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transtornos de Estresse Pós-Traumáticos
/
Jogos de Vídeo
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article