Developing a Brief Cognitive Task Intervention to Reduce Long-Standing Intrusive Memories of Trauma: A Feasibility Study With Remote Delivery for Women in Iceland

Authors

  • Johann Palmar Hardarson Orcid
    Department of Psychology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Beau Gamble Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Kristjana Thorarinsdottir Orcid
    Department of Psychology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Elín Sjöfn Stephensen Orcid
    Department of Psychology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Marie Kanstrup Orcid
    Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Thorsteinn Gudmundsson Orcid
    Department of Psychology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Unnur Valdimarsdóttir Orcid
    The Center of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; The National University Hospital of Iceland, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Arna Hauksdottir Orcid
    The Center of Public Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Andri S. Bjornsson Orcid
    Department of Psychology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Michelle L. Moulds Orcid
    School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • Emily A. Holmes Orcid
    Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

Abstract

Background: There is emerging evidence that a brief cognitive task intervention may reduce the frequency of intrusive memories, even long-standing memories of older trauma. However, evaluations to date have involved in-person researcher contact. We investigated the feasibility and acceptability of remote delivery to women (n = 12) in Iceland who had experienced trauma on average two decades earlier. Method: Participants monitored intrusive memories in a daily diary for one week (i.e., baseline phase), completed (at least) two guided, remote intervention sessions (e.g., via secure video platform), and were encouraged to continue to use the intervention self-guided. Results: Eight participants completed the primary outcome and reported fewer intrusive memories in Week 5 (M = 6.98, SD = 5.73) compared to baseline (M = 25.98, SD = 29.39) – a 68% reduction. Intrusions decreased at each subsequent time point; at 3-months (n = 7) there was a 91% reduction compared to baseline. Other psychological symptoms reduced and functioning improved. Importantly, participant ratings and qualitative feedback support feasibility and acceptability. Conclusion: Findings suggest the feasibility of remote delivery of the brief imagery-competing task intervention by non-specialists (who were not mental health professionals) and hold promise for developing psychotherapeutic innovations supporting women with intrusive memories even decades after trauma.