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

NCT ID: NCT03760601

Last Updated: 2022-09-02

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 5 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2019-03-25
• Study Completion Date: 2019-08-26

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 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.

Detailed Description

This research study follows from ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03525158, with a focus on the ABAB design and adding additional questions e.g. on concentration, emotion and functioning, and with the possibility of focusing on 1 intrusive memory at a time with associated distress ratings as part of the procedure.

Conditions

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

Study Design

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

Study Groups

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.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

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 selfguided 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: EXPERIMENTAL

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, Arabic or Farsi
• Able to attend five to six meetings with a researcher

Exclusion Criteria

• Exhibit psychotic symptoms or other symptoms of severe mental illness

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 100 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Karolinska Institutet

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Emily Holmes

Professor Emily Holmes

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Emily Holmes, Prof

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Karolinska Institutet

Locations

Swedish Language Classes for Refugees, Clinics

Stockholm, , Sweden

Countries

Sweden

References

Kanstrup M, Kontio E, Geranmayeh A, Olofsdotter Lauri K, Moulds ML, Holmes EA. A single case series using visuospatial task interference to reduce the number of visual intrusive memories of trauma with refugees. Clin Psychol Psychother. 2021 Jan;28(1):109-123. doi: 10.1002/cpp.2489. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 32525244 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

2018/2149-32

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id