Examining Effects of a Therapeutic Focus on Positive Memories on Post-Trauma Health
- Conditions
- MemoryAffectStress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT)Behavioral: Supportive Counseling (SC)
- Registration Number
- NCT05523453
- Lead Sponsor
- University of North Texas, Denton, TX
- Brief Summary
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.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 70
- 18-65 years old
- Willing/able to provide informed consent
- Past month DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis
- Working knowledge of English
- 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
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) Participants receive 5 60-minute Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) sessions for PTSD following the treatment procedures as outlined in PPMT therapy manual. Supportive Counseling (SC) Supportive Counseling (SC) 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.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 scores 3-month post treatment completion PTSD symptom severity is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 0 = not at all to 4 = extremely.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Saliva Samples 3 times each day for 2 consecutive days after the last therapy session Salivary alpha amylase and cortisol output will be assessed.
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule 1 week after last therapy session Positive and negative affect is assessed using 20 items with response options ranging from 1 = not at all/very slightly to 5 = extremely.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of North Texas
🇺🇸Denton, Texas, United States