Threat memory devaluation by a dual-task intervention: Testing return of fear and intrusive memory over 48 hours

This study found that dual-tasking during memory recall reduced how unpleasant threat memories felt but did not lower fear responses or intrusive memories over time.

Article Abstract

“Background and objectives: In dual-tasking, individuals recall a threat-related memory while performing a demanding dual-task. This is a fruitful approach to reduce the unpleasantness and vividness of aversive memories and to reduce conditioned fear responses. Crucially, it remains unclear whether dual-tasking can also reduce conditioned fear responses and intrusive memories over time. In this pre-registered two-day fear conditioning paradigm, we examined whether a dual-task intervention reduces return of fear and the frequency of intrusive memories of an aversive film over time.

Methods: On Day 1, 76 healthy participants underwent fear acquisition with aversive film clips. They were then randomly allocated to one of three conditions: dual-tasking, memory recall without a dual-task (‘recall only’), or no task. Afterwards, they underwent an extinction phase and were asked to record intrusive film memories over 48 h. On Day 3, return of fear was assessed.This study was aimed at investigating (1) the effects of taxing the working memory, as applied in EMDR, during recall of negative memories in 32 patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 32 patients with other mental disorders, and (2) whether the results would differ between both groups. In a therapeutic session patients were asked to recollect a crucial upsetting memory while, in counterbalanced order (a) performing eye movements, (b) listening to tones and (c) watching a blank wall (‘recall only’), each episode lasting 6 min.

Results: On Day 1, fear acquisition and extinction were successful. On Day 3, spontaneous recovery and renewal were evident, but, overall, participants reported few intrusions. The dual-task and recall only groups reported reduced unpleasantness of threat memory compared to the no task group, but they did not show reduced (return of) fear responses or fewer intrusions.

Limitations: Intrusion frequency was low in all three groups, which limits the detection of intervention effects.

Conclusions: Even though dual-tasking and recall only devalued threat memory temporarily compared to no task, these interventions did not reduce (return of) fear responses and intrusions. Future studies could focus on improving the potency of imagery-based interventions.

Highlights:

• Fear conditioning was combined with aversive film clips to induce intrusive memories.
• We examined the effects of threat memory devaluation over a time-period of 48 h.
• Both dual-tasking and recall only devalued threat memory compared to no intervention.
• The interventions did not reduce conditioned (return of) fear and intrusive memories.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Landkroon, E., Salemink, E., & Engelhard, I. M. (2021). Threat memory devaluation by a dual-task intervention: Testing return of fear and intrusive memory over 48 hours. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 72, 101639.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101639