Reducing Intrusive Memories of Trauma via Remotely Delivered Visuospatial Interference Intervention: Predictors of Response among Trauma-Exposed Women in Iceland

• Main Authors: Elín Inga Bragadóttir 1990-, Tinna Björg Helgadóttir 1985-
• Other Authors: Háskóli Íslands
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Sálfræði; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/40370

Objective: The study is designed to investigate the feasibility of remote recruitment and delivery of a brief visuospatial interference intervention for decreasing the number of intrusive memories of trauma. The aim of the present report is to explore individual differences that might predict response and dropout. Methods: It is a case series, using a within-subjects multiple baseline AB design. Participants (N =12) were trauma-exposed women from Iceland, suffering from intrusive memories of trauma. The intervention consisted of a memory cue and 25 minutes of Tetris gameplay using mental rotation. The primary outcome was the change in number of intrusive memories from baseline to follow-up, secondary outcomes included the change in symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, and other outcomes added pre-intervention credibility and expectancy ratings. Participants monitored the number of intrusive memories in a daily diary and answered the following questionnaires: PCL-5, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and a credibility/expectancy scale. Participants were categorized as nonresponders (n = 5) and responders (n = 7) based on retention and reduction in the number of intrusive memories from baseline to follow-up. Findings: Nonresponders report on average greater overall pre-intervention symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety, compared to responders, who report on average greater re-experiencing symptoms of PTSD and more intrusive memories. Credibility and expectancy ratings are on average lower among responders than nonresponders. Conclusions: This line of research can aid in treatment development and may lead to improved outcomes, but further research is needed for better assessment of individual differences associated with response and dropout, and for evaluation of the specificity of the intervention. Keywords: trauma, intrusive memories, psychotherapy, treatment response, dropout, computerized intervention