Developing thinking around mental health science: the example of intrusive, emotional mental imagery after psychological trauma

Singh, Laura; Espinosa, Lisa; Ji, Julie L.; Moulds, Michelle L.; Holmes, Emily A.

doi:10.1080/13546805.2020.1804845

Cited by 42 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…A related procedure using Tetris is also being explored to modulate distressing imagery that result from indirect exposure to collective trauma via the media in a real-world context (Rackham & Lau-Zhu, 2021). We note that there are likely to be many routes by which intrusive trauma memory may be modulated, including a cognitive-task procedure (Singh et al, 2020), traditional psychological therapies, and pharmacological and neuromodulation, all of which may further evolve.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selectively Interfering With Intrusive but Not Voluntary Memories of a Trauma Film: Accounting for the Role of Associative Memory

Lau‐Zhu

Henson

Holmes

2021

Clinical Psychological Science

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Intrusive memories of a traumatic event can be reduced by a subsequent interference procedure, seemingly sparing voluntary memory for that event. This selective-interference effect has potential therapeutic benefits (e.g., for emotional disorders) and legal importance (e.g., for witness testimony). However, the measurements of intrusive memory and voluntary memory typically differ in the role of associations between a cue and the emotional memory “hotspots.” To test this, we asked participants to watch a traumatic film followed by either an interference procedure (reminder plus Tetris) or control procedure (reminder only). Measurement of intrusions (using a laboratory task) and voluntary memory (recognition for film stills) were crossed with the presence or absence of associative cues. The reminder-plus-Tetris group exhibited fewer intrusions despite comparable recognition memory, replicating the results of prior studies. Note that this selective interference did not appear to depend on associative cues. This involuntary versus voluntary memory dissociation for emotional material further supports separate-trace memory theories and has applied advantages.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selectively Interfering With Intrusive but Not Voluntary Memories of a Trauma Film: Accounting for the Role of Associative Memory

Lau‐Zhu

Henson

Holmes

2021

Clinical Psychological Science

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“…Meanwhile NICE guidelines for PTSD 10,11 now consider interventions targeted at specific symptoms in some circumstances such as when other interventions are not available. Holmes and colleagues developed a preventative approach targeting just one core clinical feature 12 after trauma 13 . This novel, brief behavioural intervention to reduce the number of intrusive memories soon after trauma draws on ideas from cognitive science (cognitive task interference 14 / memory (re)consolidation 1,15,16 ) rather than traditional exposure models [17][18][19] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing intrusive memories after trauma via a brief cognitive task intervention in the hospital emergency department: an exploratory pilot randomised controlled trial

et al. 2021

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Intrusive memories are common after trauma, and can cause significant distress. Interventions to prevent/reduce the occurrence of this core clinical feature of posttraumatic stress disorder are needed; they should be easy to deliver, readily disseminated and scalable. A novel one-session intervention by Iyadurai et al. 2018, Molecular Psychiatry, resulted in intrusion reduction over the subsequent week. Its feasibility in a different setting and longer-term effects (>1 month) need investigation. We conducted an exploratory open-label pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the feasibility and effects of a brief behavioural intervention to reduce intrusive memories in trauma-exposed patients in a Swedish hospital emergency department (ED). Participants (final N = 41) were randomly allocated to either intervention (including memory reminder cue then visuospatial cognitive task “Tetris” with mental rotation instructions) or active control (podcast) condition within 72 h of presenting to the ED (both conditions using their smartphone). Findings were examined descriptively. We estimated between-group effect sizes for the number of intrusive memories post-intervention at week 1 (primary outcome) and week 5 (secondary outcome). Compared to the control condition, participants in the intervention condition reported fewer intrusive memories of trauma, both at week 1 and week 5. Findings extend the previous evaluation in the UK. The intervention was readily implemented in a different international context, with a mixed trauma sample, with treatment gains maintained at 1 month and associated with some functional improvements. Findings inform future trials to evaluate the capacity of the cognitive task intervention to reduce the occurrence of intrusive memories after traumatic events.

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“…The experience of distressing intrusive imagery is one example where this kind of approach has been explicitly discussed (e.g. Singh et al 2020;Visser et al 2018). If an ultimate aim of the research is to improve treatment outcomes, then applying a comprehensive inter-disciplinary perspective within a narrow focus on a specific clinically relevant imagery target may provide a feasible way to synthesise many sources of information and perspectives without losing sight of important details.…”

Section: Research Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Imagery in the Science and Practice of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives

Blackwell

2021

J Cogn Ther

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Mental imagery has a long history in the science and practice of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), stemming from both behavioural and cognitive traditions. The past decade or so has seen a marked increase in both scientific and clinical interest in mental imagery, from basic questions about the processes underpinning mental imagery and its roles in everyday healthy functioning, to clinical questions about how dysfunctions in mental imagery can cause distress and impairment, and how mental imagery can be used within CBT to effect therapeutic change. This article reflects on the current state of mental imagery in the science and practice of CBT, in the context of past developments and with a view to future challenges and opportunities. An ongoing interplay between the various strands of imagery research and the many clinical innovations in this area is recommended in order to realise the full therapeutic potential of mental imagery in CBT.

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Developing thinking around mental health science: the example of intrusive, emotional mental imagery after psychological trauma

Abstract: Introduction: One route to advancing psychological treatments is to harness mental health science, a multidisciplinary approach including individuals with lived experience and end users (e.g.,

Cited by 42 publications

References 57 publications

Selectively Interfering With Intrusive but Not Voluntary Memories of a Trauma Film: Accounting for the Role of Associative Memory

Selectively Interfering With Intrusive but Not Voluntary Memories of a Trauma Film: Accounting for the Role of Associative Memory

Reducing intrusive memories after trauma via a brief cognitive task intervention in the hospital emergency department: an exploratory pilot randomised controlled trial

Mental Imagery in the Science and Practice of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives

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