The Lóa Study: A Brief Digital Intervention for Women With Intrusive Memories in the SAGA Cohort

The Lóa Study: A Randomised Control Trial of a Brief Digital Intervention to Support Women Experiencing Intrusive Memories of Traumatic Events During Their Lifespan From the SAGA Cohort

Intrusive memories are sensory memories of a traumatic event(s) that spring to mind involuntarily, and can evoke strong emotions and disrupt functioning in daily life. Previous research has indicated that a brief cognitive intervention can prevent the development of intrusive memories as well as reduce the number of intrusive memories of long-standing trauma. Initial pilot work (using case studies and a pilot study, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05089058) with women in Iceland indicates that the intervention is acceptable and feasible.

This randomised controlled trial will compare 3 arms to investigate if access to a cognitive task - either a brief self-guided imagery-competing task or a brief self-guided psychoeducation and signposting task - versus treatment as usual, can reduce the number of intrusive memories in week 5 (i.e., between-groups comparison), controlling for the number of intrusive memories in the baseline week.

The effect on the number of intrusive memories in week 5 (primary outcome), and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress, sleep and cognitive functioning will be tested.

This study is funded by the Icelandic Research Fund (11709-0270) and (200095-5601) and The Oak Foundation (OCAY-18-442).

Participants will be recruited from the Stress and Gene Analysis (SAGA) Cohort, a population-based, longitudinal study of Icelandic women (www.afallasaga.is, see selected publications in the reference box below).

A statistical analysis plan will be prepared prior to the first interim analysis using both frequentist and Bayesian analyses for statistical inference.

Regular monitoring will be performed by Vistor to verify that the study is conducted, and data are generated, documented and reported in compliance with the protocol, good clinical practice (GCP) and the applicable regulatory guidelines.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Part of the SAGA cohort
• Aged 18 or above.
• Able to read, write and speak in Icelandic.
• Have internet access.
• Willing to be contacted remotely and having access to a smartphone or computer
• Experience 3 or more intrusive memories in the past week
• Willing to monitor intrusive memories in everyday life
• Willing and able to provide informed consent and complete study procedures
• Willing and able to be contacted by the research team during the study period.
• Have not taken part in a previous study of this intervention from this research team (e.g., the Loa case series, feasibility trial or pilot RCT).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have fewer than three intrusive memories during the baseline week.
• Suicide risk in the initial assessment (response of 'nearly every day' to item 9 on PHQ-9).
• Those undergoing other treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or its symptoms will not be excluded, so the study will be as inclusive as possible.