Examining Effects of a Therapeutic Focus on Positive Memories on Post-Trauma Health

Summary

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has devastating health consequences. Evidence-based PTSD interventions address the substantial burden of PTSD on the health of individuals and societies; however, several individuals receiving these interventions drop out and not all individuals experience improvement in PTSD symptoms. Moreover, these current PTSD interventions primarily target trauma memories. Notably, growing evidence suggests that PTSD symptoms are related to difficulties in the encoding and retrieving of positive memories as well.

Thus, the proposed study will examine effects of and targets underlying a novel PTSD technique focused on narrating and detailing positive memories - Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT). Methodologically, 70 individuals will be randomly assigned to PPMT vs. Supportive Counseling (SC) for this study.

The aims of the proposed study include (1) examining PPMT's effects on PTSD symptom severity and stress systems' dysregulation (i.e., awakening salivary alpha amylase \[sAA\] and cortisol); (2) examining mechanisms underlying PPMT's effects; and (3) refining PPMT. It is hypothesized that the PPMT arm will report greater decreases in PTSD severity and sAA/cortisol ratios. Further, it is hypothesized that PPMT-related improved affect will mediate the association between study arm (PPMT vs. SC) and changes in PTSD severity. Lastly, feedback will be obtained from study participants on PPMT's feasibility, format, and content to refine PPMT.

The proposed study may contribute preliminary evidence on the potential significance of targeting positive memories in PTSD interventions.

Conditions

• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
• Affect
• Memory

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT)

PPMT comprises of 5 sessions focused on identifying and processing positive memories. In Session 1-5, participants narrate details of one positive memory, and process the positive memory to elicit positive values, affect, strengths, and thoughts.

BEHAVIORAL

Supportive Counseling (SC)

SC is a 5-session, active and non-specific treatment administered weekly, which includes a discussion of the daily monitoring diary and exploration of current issues and concerns.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of North Texas, Denton, TX

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ateka Contractor, PHD · University of North Texas Health Science Center

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-02-23

Primary Completion

2025-02-19

Completion

2025-02-19

Countries

• United States

Study Locations