Dual-task interventions reduce vividness and unpleasantness in both old and new memories
This study provides insight into memory consolidation, dual-task effectiveness and interventions, and EMDR.
Article Abstract
“A core element of EMDR therapy is that a patient recalls a traumatic memory while concurrently making horizontal eye movements. Experimental studies show that performing such tasks simultaneously (i.e., Recall + Dual-Task) reduces the memory’s vividness and unpleasantness. Memory age may act as a boundary condition on this effect as older memories have been more consolidated and strengthened over time compared to more recently formed memories, making older memories less susceptible to change. To investigate this, participants (N = 195) in Experiment 1 recalled an old or a new negative autobiographical memory and were randomly assigned to a Recall + Dual-Task intervention or a Recall Only intervention. Before, during, and after the intervention the memory was rated on vividness and unpleasantness. In Experiment 2 (N = 356) a follow-up rating was added one day later to test for delayed effects of memory age on intervention effectiveness. Collectively, the two experiments show that Recall + Dual-Task immediately reduces memory vividness and unpleasantness compared to Recall Only. For unpleasantness this differential effect remained one day later. However, none of the effects were moderated by memory age. Thus, these findings suggest that memory age is not a boundary condition for dual-task effectiveness and that dual-task interventions (as used in EMDR) could be similarly effective for reducing the intensity of emotional memories of different ages.
Highlights:
- Recall + Dual-Task interventions reduce memory vividness and unpleasantness.
- Dual-task interventions showed lasting effects on memory unpleasantness.
- Memory age did not moderate the effects of dual-task interventions.
- Results suggest dual-task interventions can be effective for all memory ages.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
van Schie, K. (2025). Dual-task interventions reduce vividness and unpleasantness in both old and new memories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 193, 104839. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2025.104839
About the Journal
“The major focus of Behaviour Research and Therapy is an experimental psychopathology approach to understanding emotional and behavioral disorders and their prevention and treatment, using cognitive, behavioral, and psychophysiological (including neural) methods and models. ”
—Description from publisher
Date
August 12, 2025
Creator(s)
Kevin van Schie
Practice & Methods
Mechanisms of Action, Neurobiology
Extent
9 pages
Publisher
Elsevier
Rights
© 2025 The Author
APA Citation
van Schie, K. (2025). Dual-task interventions reduce vividness and unpleasantness in both old and new memories. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 193, 104839. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2025.104839
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed, RCT
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access