Tetris Intervention Following Subliminal Reactivation for Intrusive Memories

A Tetris Intervention Following Subliminal Reactivation for Reducing Intrusive Memories in Trauma-exposed Individuals: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterized by recurrent, intrusive memories of traumatic events that cause significant distress and functional impairment. Although trauma-focused treatments are effective, they typically require deliberate recollection of traumatic experiences, which can be distressing and may contribute to treatment avoidance or dropout.

In previous experimental studies conducted with healthy participants, we demonstrated that unconscious reactivation of trauma-related cues, followed-after a brief delay corresponding to the memory reconsolidation window-by a visuospatial interference task (Tetris gameplay), reduced the frequency and emotional intensity of intrusive memories. These findings suggest that memory representations may be modifiable during reconsolidation without requiring conscious recall.

Building on this work, the present randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and tolerability of this reconsolidation-based intervention in trauma-exposed individuals experiencing five or more intrusive memories per week.

This study will be conducted on an online platform, which will be used for data collection, task management, and recording of experimental results. Before recording the baseline diary, each participant will need to provide four images related to their trauma experience for use in subsequent experiments.The provision of these images is voluntary, and participants are fully informed of the intended use of their images.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Meet DSM-5 PTSD Criterion A (eg, exposure to actual or threatened death). Have experienced one or more traumatic events.
2. Experienced five or more intrusive memories during the baseline week.
3. Have internet access and have access to a personal computer.
4. Be willing to provide consent and able to complete study procedures and be contacted by the study team.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Have fewer than five intrusive memories during the baseline week.
2. A current diagnosis of schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a severe personality disorder judged to interfere with treatment adherence, or acute suicidal behavior.
3. Have severe substance dependence.