To compare the efficacy of playing Tetris to Assessments Only in the reduction of frequency, vividness, and emotional intensity of intrusions in Dutch soldiers exposed to aversive events on deployment in Afghanistan.
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Anxiety disorders and symptoms
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
We expect to find a medium effect for Tetris (d=.5), compared to the control
group for frequency of intrusions at 1 week after the aversive event.
Secondary outcome
Vividness and emotionality of intrusions will be measured immediately before
the intervention, immediately after the intervention, 1 week after the event,
and 6 weeks after deployment.
PTSD symptom severity will be assessed using a self-report instrument at 1 week
after the aversive event and 6 weeks after deployment. At 6 weeks after
deployment, PTSD diagnosis and severity will be assessed using a structured
clinical interview.
Background summary
After a traumatic event, people may develop posttraumatic stress disorder
(PTSD), which consists of reexperiencing the event (i.e., intrusive memories),
avoidance of trauma-reminders, and increased arousal. There are no effective
early interventions that prevent the onset of intrusive memories and other PTSD
symptoms. Laboratory studies have shown that negative autobiographical memories
become less vivid and emotional when the memory is retrieved while a concurrent
(dual) task that taxes working memory (WM) is performed. Beneficial effects are
thought to occur because the two tasks (keeping the memory in mind and dual
task) compete for limited WM resources, which blurs the recollection and
produces a decay of the original memory trace. The findings may have important
implications for secondary prevention of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Within
hours and probably a day after an adverse event, the memory for the event is
flexible. In a recent analogue trauma study, Holmes et al. (2009) showed
healthy participants an extremely aversive film. After a waiting period,
memories of the films were activated. Half of the participants were asked to
simultaneously play the PC game *Tetris*, which requires WM resources. In line
with the hypothesis, participants in the Tetris group reported significant less
impact and fewer intrusions of the film in the subsequent week, compared to a
control group that did not play Tetris. These findings have been replicated
several times.
In the current study, we will evaluate whether intrusive memories may be
prevented by early intervention with Tetris in Dutch soldiers deployed to
Afghanistan. We hypothesize that the frequency, vividness, and emotional
intensity of intrusions will be reduced in soldiers who receive the Tetris
intervention, compared to participants who do not receive the Tetris
intervention.
Study objective
To compare the efficacy of playing Tetris to Assessments Only in the reduction
of frequency, vividness, and emotional intensity of intrusions in Dutch
soldiers exposed to aversive events on deployment in Afghanistan.
Study design
Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)
Intervention
Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two conditions: (1) Tetris
(n=51); and (2) Assessments Only (n=51). The Tetris group will be asked to
repeatedly bring the event to mind, while playing Tetris on a computer for 12
minutes. The Assessments Only group will be administered the same pre measures
used in the Tetris group, and are asked to return after 10 min. to complete the
post assessment. Both groups will be offered care as usual by the Dutch Defense
Military Mental Health.
Study burden and risks
The burden of participation consists of completing questionnaires (15 min) and
attending the intervention session (12 min) within 24 hrs after the aversive
event. In addition, participants will be asked to complete a post-intervention
assessment immediately after the intervention (10 minutes), a post-intervention
assessment at 1 week after the aversive event (30 minutes) and a follow-up
assessment at 6 weeks after deployment (45 minutes). There are no risks
involved and the burden to participants is limited.
Heidelberglaan 1
3508 TC Utrecht
NL
Heidelberglaan 1
3508 TC Utrecht
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
1) exposure to potentially traumatizing event according to the stressor A1 criterion of the diagnostic criteria for PTSD in DSM IV (i.e., involving actual or threatened death or serious injury, or threat to the physical integrity of self or others); and 2) the event happened no longer than 24 hours earlier.
Exclusion criteria
1) not fully conscious; 2) physically unable of undergoing the intervention); 3) suicidal ideation; 4) meeting the criteria for any of the following DSM-IV diagnoses: psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, depression with psychotic features, or posttraumatic stress disorder.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL32189.068.10 |
| Other | trial is aangemeld, nog geen nummer toegekend |
| OMON | NL-OMON22994 |