Autobiographical memory bias in cancer-related post traumatic stress disorder and the effectiveness of competitive memory training

Abstract

Cancer as a life-threatening illness can be shocking and may lead to Post Traumatic-Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is associated with autobiographical memory bias as its core defining symptom. This study investigated the effectiveness of Competitive Memory Training (COMET) as an intervention for modifying the processing of autobiographical information and reducing PTSD symptoms. Autobiographical memory bias was measured using an Autobiographical Memory Task (AMT) modified for our population, who was diagnosed with cancer and experienced from PTSD. The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL) was employed to measure symptoms of PTSD and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) questionnaire was used to assess depression symptoms. These measures were administered to a COMET (n = 30) and a MEmory Specificity Training (MEST) (n = 30) group. The COMET and the MEST groups underwent seven and six weekly sessions, respectively. All the assessments were re-conducted after the treatment and three-months later (follow-up). There was a significant alleviation in autobiographical memory bias and significantly fewer depression symptoms in the COMET group compared to the MEST group. This study indicates that the COMET intervention is a promising intervention for targeting cognitive biases including memory bias in cancer patients with PTSD.