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

NCT03525158 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2017/978-31
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 4
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

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)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in the occurrence of intrusive memories of trauma from baseline week to intervention week

  Number of intrusive memories of traumatic event recorded by participants in a diary daily (morning, afternoon, evening and night) for one week during the baseline phase and one week during the intervention phase.

  Baseline week 1 and Intervention week 1

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Feasibility and acceptability ratings for using a smartphone game-play intervention

  Intervention week 1

• Self-guided intervention adherence - usage of the gameplay intervention in daily life

  Intervention week 1

• Impact of intrusive memories on concentration, control, sleep and stress

  Baseline week 1 and Intervention week 1

Study Arms (1)

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

OTHER

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).

Behavioral: Brief cognitive intervention

Interventions

Brief cognitive intervention 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.

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

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• Exhibit psychotic symptoms or other symptoms of severe mental illness

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Karolinska Institutet: lead

Study Sites (2)

Residental care home for young people

Stockholm, Sweden

Location

Swedish Language Classes for Refugees

Stockholm, Sweden

Location

Study Officials

• Emily Holmes, Prof

  Karolinska Institutet

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: Single case experimental AB design with or without optional replication (ABAB) (ie no random assignment)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 12, 2018
• First Posted: May 15, 2018
• Study Start: June 20, 2017
• Primary Completion: February 26, 2018
• Study Completion: February 26, 2018
• Last Updated: September 18, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-09

Locations

SE (2)