Tackling Intrusive Traumatic Memories After a Difficult Birth: a proof-of Principle Study
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 23
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Frequency of intrusive memories of the index trauma
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This proof-of-principle study aims to investigate the effects of a brief behavioural procedure including a computerized visuospatial task (the computer game "Tetris") preceded by a reactivation of the traumatic memory of childbirth, on birth-related intrusive traumatic memories and other postpartum posttraumatic stress symptoms. Women who report birth-related intrusive memories after 6 weeks postpartum will monitor their intrusive traumatic memories in a daily diary. After two weeks of diary, they will meet a psychologist to briefly evoke the memory of their birth, and receive a brief behavioural procedure including playing Tetris. Participants will then continue to complete an intrusive traumatic memory diary during two weeks. It is predicted that they will report fewer intrusive memories in the two weeks following the intervention, compared to the two weeks before. This will inform the potential future development of a simple computerized intervention procedure to reduce distressing psychological symptoms after traumatic childbirth.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Na
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 50 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- Female
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Gave birth at the Lausanne University Hospital
- •Gave written consent
- •Have at least 4 related-to-childbirth intrusions over the two weeks prior to recruitment, and at least 2 related-to-childbirth intrusions during the pre-intervention diary
- •Gave birth more than 6 weeks ago
- •Is able to distinguish intrusions linked to the traumatic childbirth from intrusions linked to other traumatic events
Exclusion Criteria
- •Gave birth to a stillborn child
- •Not fluent in French
- •Severe illness of mother or infant (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular disease, severe neurodevelopmental difficulties, malformations)
- •Have an established intellectual disability, or psychiatric history such as psychotic illness
- •Alcohol abuse and/or illegal drug use
- •Currently receiving psychological care in relation with the traumatic birth experience
Arms & Interventions
Intervention
Intervention: Brief behavioural procedure including a computerized visuospatial task (computer game "Tetris") (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Frequency of intrusive memories of the index trauma
Time Frame: Within 2 weeks following the intervention
Frequency of intrusive traumatic memories related to childbirth recorded by participants in a trauma-related intrusive memories diary over the two weeks after the intervention
Secondary Outcomes
- Frequency of intrusive memories of the index trauma(Between 4 and 6 weeks after the intervention)
- Presence and severity of maternal PTSD symptoms(1 month after the intervention)
- Psychological distress related to intrusive memories of the index trauma(Within 2 weeks following the intervention)
Investigators
Antje Horsch
Assistant Professor
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois