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

NCT ID: NCT06680193

Last Updated: 2024-11-08

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 70 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-03-11
• Study Completion Date: 2024-06-05

Brief 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

Study Design

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

Study Groups

Processing of Positive Memories Technique

PPMT was administered as a 4-session protocol in this arm.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Processing of Positive Memories Technique

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

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.

Interventions

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.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• being aged between 18 and 65 years
• endorsing a trauma with posttrauma symptoms
• access to an electronic device with internet capabilities
• working knowledge of English
• being a current resident of the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex
• willingness and availability to participate in approximately 10 weeks of this study (including 4 therapy sessions)
• willingness to be video-recorded during sessions for quality control purposes

Exclusion Criteria

• active suicidal plan, suicidal attempt, homicidal plan, or homicidal attempt (past 3 months including current)
• currently in therapy with a mental health provider

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Haifa, Israel

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of North Texas, Denton, TX

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas, United States

Countries

United States

References

Greene T, Contractor AA, Dicker-Oren SD, Fentem A, Sznitman SR. The Effects of the Processing of Positive Memories Technique on Posttrauma Affect and Cognitions Among Survivors of Trauma: Protocol for a Daily Diary Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 Jan 12;13:e51838. doi: 10.2196/51838.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 38214953 (View on PubMed)

Rodenbaugh MM, Thompson LM, Sznitman SR, Jin L, Contractor AA. Refining processing of positive memories technique: client perspectives on components, format, and feasibility. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2025 Dec;16(1):2563197. doi: 10.1080/20008066.2025.2563197. Epub 2025 Oct 9.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 41065062 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

2020017

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id

IRB-21-420

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id