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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06680193

Therapeutic Effects of the Processing of Positive Memories Technique on Posttrauma Health

The current study will examine daily-level impacts of a technique addressing positive memory retrieval on thoughts, feelings, and health among individuals with trauma experiences.

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Key information

Conditions

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas, 76201, United States

About this study

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is primarily a memory encoding- and retrieval-based disorder. If untreated, there are significant physical, psychological, social, and economic impacts for an individual, their families, and the society broadly. Research demonstrates that positive memory processes contribute to the etiology and maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Indeed, difficulties in retrieving and discussing positive memories are amplified among individuals with PTSD. Further, interventions capitalizing on (positive) memory retrieval have been linked to enhanced psychological well-being.

Considering this literature, the Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) was developed as a promising new treatment approach for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which involves detailed narration and processing of specific positive autobiographical memories. This study uses an innovative research protocol that combines case-series design and daily diary approaches to the effects of PPMT on daily affect, daily cognitions, and daily PTSD symptoms. It is hypothesized that at the daily level, in comparison to their an individual's pre-PPMT levels, following the PPMT intervention, participants will report (1) a lower count of endorsed daily PTSD symptoms, (2) increases in daily positive affect and decreases in daily negative affect, (3) increases in positive affect reactivity to daily positive events, and (4) decreases in daily posttrauma cognitions.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • being aged between 18 and 65 years
  • endorsing a trauma with posttrauma symptoms
  • access to an electronic device with internet capabilities
  • working knowledge of English
  • being a current resident of the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex
  • willingness and availability to participate in approximately 10 weeks of this study (including 4 therapy sessions)
  • willingness to be video-recorded during sessions for quality control purposes

Exclusion criteria

  • active suicidal plan, suicidal attempt, homicidal plan, or homicidal attempt (past 3 months including current)
  • currently in therapy with a mental health provider

Treatment and study plan

Processing of Positive Memories Technique

Behavioral

PPMT was administered weekly as a 4-session protocol. In session 1, participants receive psychoeducation on PTSD symptoms, an overview of PPMT, and are assessed for psychological symptoms. Sessions 1-4 involve the detailed processing of a salient positive autobiographical memory to elicit "values, affect, strengths, and thoughts" related to that positive memory. Homework assignments include listening to an audio recording of that memory, completing a "values, affect, strengths, and thoughts" log, and engaging in a behavioral activity. In session 4, the therapist also reviews psychological symptoms and addresses termination.

Primary outcomes

  1. Daily negative and positive affect levels

    Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours

    Daily Positive and Negative Affect are assessed by rating the extent of four positive (excited, cheerful, satisfied, relaxed) and six negative (stressed, irritated, anxious, sad, hopeless, insecure) emotions. This is adapted from the 20-item Positive and Negative Affect Scale. The total positive affect subscale score can range from 1 to 20, with higher scores reflecting more positive affect levels. The total negative affect subscale score can range from 1 to 30, with higher scores reflecting more negative affect.

  2. Daily positive events

    Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours

    Daily positive events is measured by 1 item which asked participants to think about the most positive event of the day and rate how pleasant it was. The score can range from 1 to 4, with higher scores reflecting that the event was more pleasant.

  3. Daily posttrauma cognitions

    Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours

    A 9-item brief version of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI-9) will measure trauma-related thoughts/beliefs with the time frame modified to 'in the last 24 hours.' The total raw score can range from 1 to 63, with higher scores reflecting endorsement of more negative posttrauma cognitions.

  4. Daily PTSD symptoms

    Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours

    Daily-life version of the Primary Care-PTSD-5 screen (PC-PTSD-5) will assess daily PTSD symptoms with the time frame modified to 'in the last 24 hours.' The total score can range from 0 to 5, with higher scores reflecting endorsement of more PTSD symptoms.

  5. Number of retrieved positive memories

    Time frame: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention

    AMT assesses the number of retrieved positive memories by using five cue words followed by a prompt to recall a personally meaningful and specific memory of an event that took place within any 24-hour period. The total score could range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating more number of retrieved positive memories.

  6. Number of retrieved positive memories

    Time frame: 1 week after intervention sessions

    AMT assesses the number of retrieved positive memories by using five cue words followed by a prompt to recall a personally meaningful and specific memory of an event that took place within any 24-hour period. The total score could range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating more number of retrieved positive memories.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Positive Emotion Dysregulation

    Time frame: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention

    The Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale-Positive Emotions is a 13-item self-report measure that examines dysregulation of positive emotions. The total score could range from 1 to 65, with higher scores indicating more positive emotion dysregulation.

  2. Positive Emotion Dysregulation

    Time frame: 1 week after intervention sessions

    The Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale-Positive Emotions is a 13-item self-report measure that examines dysregulation of positive emotions. The total score could range from 1 to 65, with higher scores indicating more positive emotion dysregulation.

  3. Positive Emotion Dysregulation

    Time frame: At each of the 4 weekly intervention sessions and each survey references the past week

    The Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale-Positive Emotions is a 13-item self-report measure that examines dysregulation of positive emotions. The total score could range from 1 to 65, with higher scores indicating more positive emotion dysregulation.

  4. PTSD symptom severity

    Time frame: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention

    The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that will be used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity in relation to the worst trauma. The total score could range from 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more PTSD symptom severity.

  5. PTSD symptom severity

    Time frame: 1 week after intervention sessions

    The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that will be used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity in relation to the worst trauma. The total score could range from 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more PTSD symptom severity.

  6. PTSD symptom severity

    Time frame: At each of the 4 weekly intervention sessions and each survey references the past week

    The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that will be used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity in relation to the worst trauma. The total score could range from 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more PTSD symptom severity.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of North Texas, Denton, TX

Other

Collaborators

  • University of Haifa, Israel

Registry information

Official study title

Daily Affect and Cognition Impacts of Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) in a Trauma-Exposed Community Sample

Acronym: PPMT

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Nov 8, 2024
Registry last updated
Nov 8, 2024

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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