NCT06680193

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

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

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 70 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of North Texas, Denton, TX · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Detailed 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.

Conditions

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Processing of Positive Memories Technique	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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-03-11
• Primary completion: 2024-06-05
• Completion: 2024-06-05
• First posted: 2024-11-08
• Last updated: 2024-11-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States