Abstract
Cognitive interventions involving visuospatial tasks, such as the game “Tetris” have demonstrated efficacy in reducing the frequency of intrusive memories. However, it remains unclear whether these tasks also reduce the perceived intensity and distress of these memories. We investigated whether either of two visuospatial tasks: a Tetris intervention or Digital Corsi task, following the viewing of an analog trauma (film) resulted in decreased intensity and distress for intrusive memories over the following week, when compared to a control condition. Participants (n = 110) were randomly assigned to task conditions after viewing the film. Linear mixed models indicated no between-group differences for reductions in intensity or distress over the course of the week. These findings highlight an important boundary to the benefits of such visuospatial tasks, in that while they may be associated with reductions in intrusion memory frequency, individuals may nonetheless continue to experience distress when intrusions do occur.
Highlights
Intrusive memories are a characteristic feature of acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
We investigated the trajectory of intensity and distress associated with intrusive memories following engagement in a visuospatial task after exposure to an analog trauma using a trauma film paradigm
We report each of these ratings separately for consistency with our pre-registration and on the basis that creating a combined composite score for these two items would have resulted in a variable with an unclear conceptual definition
Summary
Intrusive memories are a characteristic feature of acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are involuntary, repeated, and distressing recollections following exposure to a trauma event that most commonly take the form of visual mental images [1, 2]. Intrusive symptoms measured 10-months after direct exposure to a terrorist attack have been shown to strongly predict posttraumatic symptom clusters 2-years after the event [4]. These findings suggest an important role for targeted interventions that decrease the influence of intrusive memories on pathology following exposure to a traumatic event
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