Therapeutic Effects of the Processing of Positive Memories Technique on Posttrauma Health (PPMT)

University of North Texas, Denton, TX

Status

Completed

Conditions

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Treatments

Behavioral: Processing of Positive Memories Technique

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT06680193

IRB-21-420

2020017 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full description

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.

Enrollment

70 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 65 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

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