Eye Movement Intervention With Different Memory Reactivation Procedures for Intrusive Traumatic Memories

The Effects of Different Memory Reactivation Procedures Combined With Bilateral Eye Movements on Intrusive Memories and PTSD Symptoms: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related symptoms are often characterized by recurrent intrusive memories that cause distress and interfere with daily functioning. Although trauma-focused interventions such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) may be effective, they often involve engagement with trauma-related memories, which can be distressing for some individuals and may affect treatment acceptability. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate a standardized eye-movement-based procedure for trauma-exposed individuals experiencing recurrent intrusive memories. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of several memory-related task conditions involving eye movements. The study will assess the frequency and distress of trauma-related intrusive memories at prespecified assessment points, as well as PTSD symptoms, intervention-related distress, acceptability, and safety. Findings from this trial may help inform the development of tolerable approaches for targeting trauma-related intrusive memories.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Meet DSM-5 PTSD Criterion A, such as exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence; have experienced one or more traumatic events.
2. Experienced five or more trauma-related intrusive memories during the baseline week.
3. Have internet access and access to a personal computer suitable for completing the online study tasks.
4. Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision and be able to complete computerized visual and eye movement tasks.
5. Be willing to provide informed consent, able to complete study procedures, and able to be contacted by the study team.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Have fewer than five trauma-related intrusive memories during the baseline week.
2. Have a current or past psychotic disorder, current manic episode, severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, severe personality disorder, or another severe psychiatric condition judged to interfere with study participation, adherence, or safety.
3. Have current acute suicidal ideation or behavior, significant risk of harm to self or others, or any condition requiring urgent clinical intervention.
4. Have current severe substance use disorder or severe substance dependence judged to interfere with study participation or safety.
5. Have a current organic disorder, neurological condition, history of epilepsy or seizures, significant brain injury, or other medical condition judged to interfere with safe participation or completion of the computerized visual or eye movement tasks.
6. Have visual impairment or other condition that prevents completion of the computerized visual or eye movement tasks.
7. Current participation in another intervention study or current treatment judged by the research team to interfere with study participation, safety, or outcome assessment.