The effects of dual-tasks on intrusive memories following analogue trauma

This study found that dual-task interventions did not reduce memory vividness or unpleasantness but, in some cases, reduced the frequency of intrusive memories, with inconsistent results across experiments.

Article Abstract

“Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder frequently and involuntarily experience intrusions, which are strongly linked to the trauma hotspot. Voluntary memory characteristics (i.e., vividness and unpleasantness) of this hotspot can be reduced by performing a dual-task, such as making horizontal eye movements, which is frequently used in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. We tested whether such dual-task interventions would also reduce involuntary memory (i.e., intrusions). Moreover, we examined if changes in hotspot vividness and unpleasantness predicted intrusion frequency. Additionally, we examined whether the effects were dependent on dual-task modality. We tested this in three experiments. Participants watched a trauma film and performed one of the interventions 10-min post-film (1) Recall + Eye movements, (2) Recall + Counting, or (3) No-Task Control. Before and after the intervention, participants rated the hotspot vividness and unpleasantness. They recorded intrusive memories about the film in a diary for a week. Unexpectedly, we found that hotspot vividness and unpleasantness ratings were not affected by the intervention. However, the prolonged (experiment 2), but not standard (experiment 1), dual-task interventions resulted in a lower number of intrusions, regardless of modality. However, this effect was not replicated in experiment 3. We discuss potential explanations and present suggestions for future research.

Highlights:

• Dual-tasks did not reduce vividness/unpleasantness of voluntary memories.
• Prolonged dual-tasks, regardless of modality, reduced involuntary intrusions.
• This effect on involuntary intrusions was not replicated in experiment 3.
• Vividness/unpleasantness of voluntary memories was not related to intrusions.”

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Article Access

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van Schie, K., van Veen, S. C., & Hagenaars, M. A. (2019). The effects of dual-tasks on intrusive memories following analogue trauma. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 120: 103448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2019.103448

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