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

NCT03760601 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2018/2149-32
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 5
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

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

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in number of intrusive memories of trauma

  Number of intrusive memories of traumatic event recorded by participants in a diary daily (morning, afternoon, evening and night) over one week.

  Change between baseline week 1 and Intervention week 1

Secondary Outcomes (9)

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

  Intervention week 1

• Feasibility and acceptability - open ended questions

  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 - ratings

  Baseline week 1 and Intervention week 1

• Rating of how long intrusive memories disrupted concentration on average

  Baseline week 1 and Intervention week 1

Study Arms (2)

Baseline phase ('A')

NO INTERVENTION

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')

EXPERIMENTAL

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).

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.

Intervention phase ('B')

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 100 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

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, Arabic or Farsi
• Able to attend five to six 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 (1)

Swedish Language Classes for Refugees, Clinics

Stockholm, Sweden

Location

Related Publications (1)

• 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.

  PMID: 32525244 RESULT

Study Officials

• Emily Holmes, Prof

  Karolinska Institutet

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

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

Model Details: Single case experimental AB design with optional replication (ABAB)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 19, 2018
• First Posted: November 30, 2018
• Study Start: March 25, 2019
• Primary Completion: June 20, 2019
• Study Completion: August 26, 2019
• Last Updated: September 2, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-08

Locations

SE (1)