NCT01007682

Brief Summary

This study aims at identifying risk factors for the development of intrusive reexperiencing symptoms. In particular, the investigators examine the influence of working memory capacity and thought suppression on the occurrence of unpleasant memories of a negative experience. Hypothesis: People with high working memory capacities (HWMC) are able to successfully suppress memories of an unpleasant experience (presentation of a distressing movie). In contrast, in people with low working memory capacities (LWMC), attempts to suppress memories of an unpleasant experience inadvertently lead to an increase of these memories. Study phase one: Assessment of working memory capacity in 200 healthy participants by means of a computerized task. Selection of 50 participants with HWMC and of 50 participants with LWMC who participate in study phase two. Study phase two: Presentation of a distressing movie and subsequent assessment of memories of the movie during several days in the daily life of participants. Comparison of 4 groups regarding the frequency of instructions in daily life:(group 1: HWMC participants who are instructed to suppress thoughts of the movie, group 2: LWMC participants who are instructed to suppress thoughts of the movie, group 3: HWMC participants who are instructed to allow the occurence of thoughts of the movie, group 4: LWMC participants who are instructed to allow the occurence of thoughts of the movie)

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
200

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Sep 2009

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

September 1, 2009

Completed
2 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 28, 2009

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 4, 2009

Completed
1.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 1, 2011

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

October 1, 2011

Completed
Last Updated

March 8, 2012

Status Verified

March 1, 2012

Enrollment Period

1.8 years

First QC Date

October 28, 2009

Last Update Submit

March 7, 2012

Conditions

Memory

Keywords

intrusive memories

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Number of intrusive memories

    during one week after viewing the distressing movie

Study Arms (2)

Screening for working memory capacity

NO INTERVENTION

Distressing movie

EXPERIMENTAL

A distressing movie is presented to two groups (one group with high and one group with low working memory capacity). For each of the two groups, half of the participants are instructed to suppress thoughts of the movies after viewing it, while the remaining participants are instructed to allow the occurrence of memories of the movie.

Other: Show distressing movie and tell half of the two study groups to suppress memories of the movie

Interventions

Show distressing movie and tell half of the two study groups to suppress memories of the movieOTHER

A distressing movie is presented to two groups (one group with high and one group with low working memory capacity). For each of the two groups, half of the participants are instructed to suppress thoughts of the movies after viewing it, while the remaining participants are instructed to allow the occurrence of memories of the movie.

Distressing movie

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Older than 17 years

You may not qualify if:

  • Insufficient knowledge of the German language, for the distressing movie arm of the study: Elevated levels of depression or posttraumatic stress symptoms prior to viewing of the distressing movie

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Harvard University, Department of Psychology

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138-2044, United States

Location

Study Officials

  • Monique C Pfaltz, PhD

    Harvard University, Department of Pysychology

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • Jürgen Margraf, Prof

    University of Basel, Department for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy

    STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
FACTORIAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

October 28, 2009

First Posted

November 4, 2009

Study Start

September 1, 2009

Primary Completion

July 1, 2011

Study Completion

October 1, 2011

Last Updated

March 8, 2012

Record last verified: 2012-03

Locations

US(1)