Autobiographical Memory Flexibility Training (MemFlex) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

A Randomised Controlled Trial of Autobiographical Memory Flexibility Training (MemFlex) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

The experience of trauma not only impacts the way an individual thinks and feels, but can also produce changes in the way someone remembers their personal past. It is not only memories of the trauma that are affected- avoidance of trauma memories can also lead to memories of other events becoming vague, and in particular, memories of positive experiences can seem out of reach. This memory difficulty promotes posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study will explore an intervention that aims to improve memory difficulties, which should then flow on to improve PTSD. The study will be completed with individuals who have experienced a single incident trauma. Twenty five participants will complete MemFlex straight away, and 25 will go on a waiting list. Once this first group has finished MemFlex, the researchers will compare the two groups to see if the programme produced a larger reduction in PTSD symptoms. MemFlex is workbook-based, and as such, if it is successful it may offer an easy, cheap, and accessible way to offer psychological treatment to PTSD sufferers around the world.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (as indexed by the Farsi version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM disorders [SCID])
• Aged over 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lack of oral and/or written fluency in Farsi
• Traumatic brain injury or cognitive impairment, indexed via self-report
• Current experience of psychosis, indexed by SCID