COMPLETED

Examining Effects of a Therapeutic Focus on Positive Memories on Post-Trauma Health

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has devastating health consequences. Evidence-based PTSD interventions address the substantial burden of PTSD on the health of individuals and societies; however, several individuals receiving these interventions drop out and not all individuals experience improvement in PTSD symptoms. Moreover, these current PTSD interventions primarily target trauma memories. Notably, growing evidence suggests that PTSD symptoms are related to difficulties in the encoding and retrieving of positive memories as well. Thus, the proposed study will examine effects of and targets underlying a novel PTSD technique focused on narrating and detailing positive memories - Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT). Methodologically, 70 individuals will be randomly assigned to PPMT vs. Supportive Counseling (SC) for this study. The aims of the proposed study include (1) examining PPMT's effects on PTSD symptom severity and stress systems' dysregulation (i.e., awakening salivary alpha amylase \[sAA\] and cortisol); (2) examining mechanisms underlying PPMT's effects; and (3) refining PPMT. It is hypothesized that the PPMT arm will report greater decreases in PTSD severity and sAA/cortisol ratios. Further, it is hypothesized that PPMT-related improved affect will mediate the association between study arm (PPMT vs. SC) and changes in PTSD severity. Lastly, feedback will be obtained from study participants on PPMT's feasibility, format, and content to refine PPMT. The proposed study may contribute preliminary evidence on the potential significance of targeting positive memories in PTSD interventions.

Official Title

Examination and Refinement of a Novel Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT)

Quick Facts

Study Start:2023-02-23
Study Completion:2025-02-19
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:COMPLETED

Study ID

NCT05523453

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:ALL
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:No
Standard Ages:ADULT, OLDER_ADULT
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. * 18-65 years old
  2. * Willing/able to provide informed consent
  3. * Past month DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis
  4. * Working knowledge of English
  1. * Active suicidal intent or attempts
  2. * Active psychosis
  3. * Currently receiving mental health therapy (past 3 months)
  4. * Dosage changes in psychiatric medications (past 3 months)
  5. * Currently pregnant

Contacts and Locations

Principal Investigator

Ateka Contractor, PHD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University of North Texas Health Science Center

Study Locations (Sites)

University of North Texas
Denton, Texas, 76203
United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: University of North Texas, Denton, TX

  • Ateka Contractor, PHD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of North Texas Health Science Center

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2023-02-23
Study Completion Date2025-02-19

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2023-02-23
Study Completion Date2025-02-19

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Affect
  • Memory