A Brief Cognitive Intervention After Intrusive Memories of Trauma With Young Refugees

NCT ID: NCT03525158

Last Updated: 2020-09-18

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 4 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2017-06-20
• Study Completion Date: 2018-02-26

Brief Summary

This research study is designed to investigate the use of a simple cognitive task (a memory cue and 10 minute time gap, followed by playing the computer game "Tetris") for decreasing the number of intrusive memories of trauma among young refugees and asylum seekers. The design is a single case experimental AB design with or without optional replication (ABAB). Participants will aim to complete a no-intervention phase ('A': baseline phase) of one week followed by a one-week intervention phase ('B'), including a one-session intervention with a researcher comprising the simple cognitive task, followed by instructions to continue to use the technique self-guided in the subsequent week. Follow ups are conducted after each week to monitor the occurrence of intrusive memories of trauma in a pen-and-paper diary. It is predicted that participants will report fewer intrusive memories during the intervention phase than during the preceding baseline phase.

Conditions

Intrusive Memories of Trauma, Symptom of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Criterion B1)

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Baseline phase ('A') and Intervention phase ('B')

Baseline phase ('A'): Measurements collected in a pen-and-paper diary four times a day (morning, afternoon, evening and night) over one week for the primary outcome (occurrence of intrusive memories of trauma). Individual baseline phases will be used as control periods.

Intervention phase ('B'): A one-session intervention with a researcher including a simple cognitive task (a memory cue, 10 minutes time gap and ca. 20 minutes of Tetris game-play) followed by instructions to engage in the task self-guided over the subsequent week. Measurements collected in a pen-and-paper diary four times a day over one week following the intervention for the primary outcome (occurrence of intrusive memories of trauma).

Group Type: OTHER

Brief cognitive intervention

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

A one-session intervention with a researcher including a simple cognitive task (a memory cue, 10 minutes time gap and ca. 20 minutes of Tetris game play) with instructions to engage in the task self-guided in the subsequent week.

Interventions

Brief cognitive intervention

A one-session intervention with a researcher including a simple cognitive task (a memory cue, 10 minutes time gap and ca. 20 minutes of Tetris game play) with instructions to engage in the task self-guided in the subsequent week.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Refugee or asylum seeker
• Experiencing intrusive memories of trauma
• Have access to a smartphone
• Able to speak or read the study material in Swedish, English or Arabic
• Able to attend three meetings with a researcher

Exclusion Criteria

• Exhibit psychotic symptoms or other symptoms of severe mental illness

• Minimum Eligible Age: 16 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Karolinska Institutet

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Emily Holmes

Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Emily Holmes, Prof

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Karolinska Institutet

Locations

Residental care home for young people

Stockholm, , Sweden

Swedish Language Classes for Refugees

Stockholm, , Sweden

Countries

Sweden

Other Identifiers

2017/978-31

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id