Introduction: In order to facilitate experimental research on intrusive memories and early interventions after trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study attempts to translate the trauma film paradigm and a brief cognitive intervention from delivery in-person in a psychology laboratory to remote (digital) delivery.
Aims: The first aim is to investigate if the trauma film will generate intrusive memories. The second aim is, if intrusive memories are generated, to investigate if participants in the brief cognitive intervention condition will report fewer intrusive memories of the film than participants in the control condition (podcast).
Methods: This thesis is based on an interim analysis of a randomized study with 27 participants (final target sample (N = 66). Participants’ self-reported intrusive memories from the trauma film were monitored in a daily digital diary (primary outcome) in the week following film viewing.
Results: All participants completed the daily digital diary. The control group reported a comparable amount of intrusive memories as previous non-digital studies (Aim 1). The intervention group reported fewer intrusive memories than the control group (Aim 2), although this was not statistically significant.
Discussion: The pattern of results observed in this interim analysis is in line with our expectations and aims, though given the interim nature of the analysis strong comments about statistical significance are precluded. Overall, this first study of its kind indicates that research using the trauma film paradigm in a digital lab in participant’s own homes seems promisingly feasible. Future implications are discussed.
Introduction: In order to facilitate experimental research on intrusive memories and early interventions after trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study attempts to translate the trauma film paradigm and a brief cognitive intervention from delivery in-person in a psychology laboratory to remote (digital) delivery.
Aims: The first aim is to investigate if the trauma film will generate intrusive memories. The second aim is, if intrusive memories are generated, to investigate if participants in the brief cognitive intervention condition will report fewer intrusive memories of the film than participants in the control condition (podcast).
Methods: This thesis is based on an interim analysis of a randomized study with 27 participants (final target sample (N = 66). Participants’ self-reported intrusive memories from the trauma film were monitored in a daily digital diary (primary outcome) in the week following film viewing.
Results: All participants completed the daily digital diary. The control group reported a comparable amount of intrusive memories as previous non-digital studies (Aim 1). The intervention group reported fewer intrusive memories than the control group (Aim 2), although this was not statistically significant.
Discussion: The pattern of results observed in this interim analysis is in line with our expectations and aims, though given the interim nature of the analysis strong comments about statistical significance are precluded. Overall, this first study of its kind indicates that research using the trauma film paradigm in a digital lab in participant’s own homes seems promisingly feasible. Future implications are discussed.
2020.