@article{ref1,
title="The effect of a visuospatial interference intervention on posttraumatic intrusions: a cross-over randomized controlled trial",
journal="European journal of psychotraumatology",
year="2024",
author="Kehyayan, Aram and Thiel, Josephine P. and Unterberg, Karl and Salja, Vanessa and Meyer-Wehrmann, Stefan and Holmes, Emily A. and Matura, Jan-Martin and Dieris-Hirche, Jan and Timmesfeld, Nina and Herpertz, Stephan and Axmacher, Nikolai and Kessler, Henrik",
volume="15",
number="1",
pages="e2331402-e2331402",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Intrusive memories form a core symptom of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Based on concepts of visuospatial interference and memory-updating accounts, technological innovations aim to attenuate such intrusions using visuospatial interventions.<br><br>OBJECTIVE: This study aims to test the effect of a visuospatial Tetris-based intervention versus a verbal condition (Wiki) and a never-targeted control (no intervention) on intrusion frequency.<br><br>METHOD: A randomized crossover trial was conducted including N = 38 PTSD patients who had at least 3 distinct intrusive memories of trauma. After both 2 weeks (intervention 1) and 4 weeks (intervention 2), one of the three memories was randomly selected and either the visuospatial intervention (memory reminder of a traumatic memory + Tetris) or verbal condition (reading a Wikipedia article + answering questions) was performed on their first memory in randomized order. In the week 4 session, the patient conducted the other intervention condition on their second memory (crossover). The third memory was never targeted (no intervention). Daily occurrence of intrusions over 8 weeks was collected using a diary and analysed using mixed Poisson regression models.<br><br>RESULTS: Overall, there was no significant reduction in intrusion frequency from either intervention compared to each other, and to no intervention control (relative risk Tetris/Wiki: 0.947; p = .31; relative risk no intervention/Tetris: 1.060; p = .15; relative risk no intervention/Wiki: 1.004; p = .92).<br><br>CONCLUSIONS: There was no effect of either intervention on intrusions when administered in a crossover design where participants received both interventions. Design shortcomings and consequences for future studies are discussed.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2000-8198",
doi="10.1080/20008066.2024.2331402",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2024.2331402"
}