NCT04185155

Simple Cognitive Task After Trauma EKUT RCT

Preventing Intrusive Memories After Trauma Via a Simple Cognitive Intervention in the Hospital Emergency Department: "EKUT" (Enkel Kognitiv Uppgift Efter Trauma) - A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 16 (actual)
• Sponsor: Karolinska Institutet · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This research study is designed to investigate the effects of a simple cognitive task (a memory cue following by playing the computer game "Tetris") on intrusive memories ("flashbacks") and other symptoms after a traumatic event. Patients presenting to a hospital emergency department soon after a traumatic event will be randomly allocated to either the simple cognitive task intervention or control. Participants will be followed up at one week and one month, and where possible 3 and 6 months. It is predicted that participants given the simple cognitive task intervention will develop fewer intrusive memories and less severe related clinical symptoms than those who are not. This will inform the future development of a simple technique to prevent distressing psychological symptoms after a traumatic event. Implementation and training aspects in a hospital context will also be explored. Patients use their smartphone for part of the intervention in the study.

Detailed description

This is a Randomised Controlled Trial informed by prior feasibility and pilot work (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03509792). The primary outcome is the number of intrusive memories of the traumatic event (week 5). The intervention is delivered in emergency departments of Swedish hospitals.

Conditions

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Simple cognitive task	A memory cue followed by playing the computer game "Tetris" on own smartphone. Options to engage in self-administered booster sessions after day 1.
BEHAVIORAL	Attention placebo	Smartphone activity for same amount of time.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-12-10
• Primary completion: 2020-04-30
• Completion: 2020-07-08
• First posted: 2019-12-04
• Last updated: 2022-09-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Sweden