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ID
Source
Brief title
Health condition
PTSD
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Emotionality and vividness of (traumatic) memory.
Secondary outcome
The influence of working memory and self-esteem in valenced dual tasking.
Background summary
Analogue lab models of EMDR have shown that emotionality and vividness of aversive memories decrease by engaging in a taxing working memory task while the memory is activated. In the recent years, studies that add valence to the dual tasking model have shown promising results. With this study, we aim to take the lab findings to clinical practice and research the benefit of enhancing a dual tasking session by adding positive valence to the secondary task in PTSD treatment.
Study objective
We expect that emotionality and vividness of traumatic memory will be decreased most in the positive dual tasking condition.
Study design
We will collect data on several time points (the intervention consists of one intervention session only and the patient may choose to have all measures (but the primary outcome measure, the VAS) in an earlier session or just before the intervention session):
Right before the intervention: Emotionality and vividness of the memory (pre measure Visual analogue scales), working memory (WAIS Digit Span), Self-esteem (Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale), demographic and other baseline characteristics (Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale-V, Symptom Check List-90).
After each intervention: Emotionality and vividness of the memory (post measure Visual analogue scales)
Intervention
All patients receive all three conditions in randomized order in one session:
- Positive dual tasking: Participants bring to mind (alternating between assisted and unassisted recall) the most distressing image (the hotspot) of their traumatic memory, while simultaneously rating positive pictures in 8 sets of 1 minute (4 sets per one block). This brings about competition in the working memory, leading to decrements in emotionality and vividness ratings (which is theorized to be the working mechanism of EMDR). Based on previous literature, we expect positive valence to amplify these effects on top of the general ‘dual tasking effect’.
- Neutral dual tasking: Same as above, but with neutral pictures.
- Exposure only: Participants focus on a fixation cross, while keeping their most distressing image in mind. Exposure times are kept equal to the other two conditions.
Inclusion criteria
- Diagnosed PTSD as measured by the Dutch version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5: First, Williams, Karg & Spitzer, 2016).
- Indicated for EMDR, IE or IR.
- Treatment has not started yet.
- Age between 18-65
- Medication is stable for at least 2 months
Exclusion criteria
- Other severe emotional or psychosocial problems: personal crisis, suicidality, severe addiction and/or psychosis, which will interfere with a PTSD treatment
- Having had an exposure based treatment for PTSD within 2 years of the enrollment in the study.
Design
Recruitment
IPD sharing statement
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| NTR-new | NL9628 |
| CCMO | NL51740.058.15 |
| OMON | NL-OMON47667 |