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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05523453

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Affect Memory Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas, 76203, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 18-65 years old
  • Willing/able to provide informed consent
  • Past month DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis
  • Working knowledge of English

Exclusion criteria

  • Active suicidal intent or attempts
  • Active psychosis
  • Currently receiving mental health therapy (past 3 months)
  • Dosage changes in psychiatric medications (past 3 months)
  • Currently pregnant

Treatment and study plan

Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT)

Behavioral

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.

Supportive counseling (SC)

Behavioral

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 scores

    Time frame: Baseline

    PTSD symptom severity is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 0 = not at all to 4 = extremely.

  2. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 scores

    Time frame: Week 1 post-baseline during therapy session

    PTSD symptom severity is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 0 = not at all to 4 = extremely.

  3. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 scores

    Time frame: Week 2 post-baseline during therapy session

    PTSD symptom severity is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 0 = not at all to 4 = extremely.

  4. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 scores

    Time frame: Week 3 post-baseline during therapy session

    PTSD symptom severity is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 0 = not at all to 4 = extremely.

  5. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 scores

    Time frame: Week 4 post-baseline during therapy session

    PTSD symptom severity is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 0 = not at all to 4 = extremely.

  6. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 scores

    Time frame: Week 5 post-baseline during therapy session

    PTSD symptom severity is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 0 = not at all to 4 = extremely.

  7. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 scores

    Time frame: 1 week after last therapy session

    PTSD symptom severity is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 0 = not at all to 4 = extremely.

  8. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 scores

    Time frame: 3-month post treatment completion

    PTSD symptom severity is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 0 = not at all to 4 = extremely.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Saliva Samples

    Time frame: 3 times each day for 2 consecutive days prior to first therapy session

    Salivary alpha amylase and cortisol output will be assessed.

  2. Saliva Samples

    Time frame: 3 times each day for 2 consecutive days after the last therapy session

    Salivary alpha amylase and cortisol output will be assessed.

  3. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule

    Time frame: Baseline

    Positive and negative affect is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 1 = not at all/very slightly to 5 = extremely.

  4. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule

    Time frame: Week 1 post-baseline during therapy session

    Positive and negative affect is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 1 = not at all/very slightly to 5 = extremely.

  5. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule

    Time frame: Week 2 post-baseline during therapy session

    Positive and negative affect is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 1 = not at all/very slightly to 5 = extremely.

  6. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule

    Time frame: Week 3 post-baseline during therapy session

    Positive and negative affect is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 1 = not at all/very slightly to 5 = extremely.

  7. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule

    Time frame: Week 4 post-baseline during therapy session

    Positive and negative affect is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 1 = not at all/very slightly to 5 = extremely.

  8. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule

    Time frame: Week 5 post-baseline during therapy session

    Positive and negative affect is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 1 = not at all/very slightly to 5 = extremely.

  9. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule

    Time frame: 1 week after last therapy session

    Positive and negative affect is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 1 = not at all/very slightly to 5 = extremely.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of North Texas, Denton, TX

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Examination and Refinement of a Novel Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT)

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 31, 2022
Registry last updated
Sep 29, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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