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

NCT06680193 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: IRB-21-4202020017
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Keywords

Posttrauma Health; Positive Autobiographical Memories; Trauma

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Daily negative and positive affect levels

  Daily Positive and Negative Affect are assessed by rating the extent of four positive (excited, cheerful, satisfied, relaxed) and six negative (stressed, irritated, anxious, sad, hopeless, insecure) emotions. This is adapted from the 20-item Positive and Negative Affect Scale. The total positive affect subscale score can range from 1 to 20, with higher scores reflecting more positive affect levels. The total negative affect subscale score can range from 1 to 30, with higher scores reflecting more negative affect.

  Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours

• Daily positive events

  Daily positive events is measured by 1 item which asked participants to think about the most positive event of the day and rate how pleasant it was. The score can range from 1 to 4, with higher scores reflecting that the event was more pleasant.

  Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours

• Daily posttrauma cognitions

  A 9-item brief version of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI-9) will measure trauma-related thoughts/beliefs with the time frame modified to 'in the last 24 hours.' The total raw score can range from 1 to 63, with higher scores reflecting endorsement of more negative posttrauma cognitions.

  Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours

• Daily PTSD symptoms

  Daily-life version of the Primary Care-PTSD-5 screen (PC-PTSD-5) will assess daily PTSD symptoms with the time frame modified to 'in the last 24 hours.' The total score can range from 0 to 5, with higher scores reflecting endorsement of more PTSD symptoms.

  Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours

• Number of retrieved positive memories

  AMT assesses the number of retrieved positive memories by using five cue words followed by a prompt to recall a personally meaningful and specific memory of an event that took place within any 24-hour period. The total score could range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating more number of retrieved positive memories.

  Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention

• Number of retrieved positive memories

  AMT assesses the number of retrieved positive memories by using five cue words followed by a prompt to recall a personally meaningful and specific memory of an event that took place within any 24-hour period. The total score could range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating more number of retrieved positive memories.

  1 week after intervention sessions

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Positive Emotion Dysregulation

  Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention

• Positive Emotion Dysregulation

  1 week after intervention sessions

• Positive Emotion Dysregulation

  At each of the 4 weekly intervention sessions and each survey references the past week

• PTSD symptom severity

  Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention

• PTSD symptom severity

  1 week after intervention sessions

Study Arms (1)

Processing of Positive Memories Technique

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Behavioral: Processing of Positive Memories Technique

Interventions

Processing of Positive Memories Technique 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.

Processing of Positive Memories Technique

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of North Texas, Denton, TX: lead
• University of Haifa, Israel: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas, 76201, United States

Location

Related Publications (2)

• 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.

  PMID: 38214953 BACKGROUND

• 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.

  PMID: 41065062 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Wounds and Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Stress Disorders, Traumatic; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 30, 2024
• First Posted: November 8, 2024
• Study Start: March 11, 2022
• Primary Completion: June 5, 2024
• Study Completion: June 5, 2024
• Last Updated: November 8, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, ICF
• Time Frame: De-identified IPD will be shared in 2029 until 2034.
• Access Criteria: De-identified IPD will be stored with limited access in a data repository. Any interested researchers will email the PIs and complete a data sharing contract. If the contract is approved by the PIs, data will be shared in a secure manner.

Locations

US (1)