A single case series using visuospatial task interference to reduce the number of visual intrusive memories of trauma with refugees.

Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
Marie KanstrupEmily A Holmes

Abstract

The current worldwide so-called "refugee crisis" has led to an unprecedented increase in migration globally. Because of stigma and language barriers, mental health care for refugees is limited. There is a need for novel, scalable psychological interventions. We investigated whether a brief behavioural intervention involving a memory reminder cue and Tetris gameplay on a smartphone reduces intrusive memories in refugees using a single case (N = 4) ABAB withdrawal design. The baseline phase (A) included a no-intervention week; the intervention phase (B) included an in-person session with the researchers, comprised of the behavioural intervention followed by self-guided use in daily life the following week. All participants reported a decrease in intrusive memories after the intervention, as well as functional improvements (e.g., in concentration). Importantly, participants rated the intervention as feasible and acceptable. As one in-person session was effective in persistent intrusion reduction, ABAB proved not to be the optimal design as intrusions did not rebound in the withdrawal phase. Findings are promising and highlight the need for further evaluation of novel interventions for mental health problems in refugees.

References

Oct 12, 2001·The British Journal of Clinical Psychology·D J KavanaghJ May
Feb 26, 2004·Journal of Experimental Psychology. General·Emily A HolmesRichard G Hennessy
Apr 3, 2010·Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·Corin BourneEmily A Holmes
Apr 20, 2010·Journal of Affective Disorders·Jill M Newby, Michelle L Moulds
Nov 23, 2011·Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·Catherine DeeproseEmily A Holmes
Aug 11, 2012·Progress in Neurobiology·Antoine BesnardSerge Laroche
Jun 23, 2015·F1000prime Reports·Lisa M Najavits
Oct 14, 2016·Nature·Alison Abbott
Jan 21, 2018·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Renée M VisserEmily A Holmes
Feb 28, 2018·The Lancet. Psychiatry·Emily A HolmesMichelle G Craske
Jul 10, 2018·International Journal of Mental Health Nursing·Bukola SalamiKathleen Hegadoren
Dec 24, 2018·Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·Anna LeilerElisabet Wasteson
Apr 26, 2019·Journal of Experimental Psychology. General·Alex Lau-ZhuEmily A Holmes

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