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

University of North Texas, Denton, TX

Status: Completed

Conditions: Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Affect; Memory

Treatments: Behavioral: Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT); Behavioral: Supportive Counseling (SC)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05523453

R15MH129773-01A1

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 70 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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70 participants in 2 patient groups

Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants receive 5 60-minute Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) sessions for PTSD following the treatment procedures as outlined in PPMT therapy manual.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT)

Supportive Counseling (SC)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants receive 5 60-minute supportive counseling (SC) sessions. SC includes a discussion of the daily monitoring diary and exploration of current issues and concerns.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Supportive Counseling (SC)