120 Participants Needed

Cognitive Tasks for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

MJ
EV
Overseen ByEstrella V Thomas, MA
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 1 JurisdictionThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a visuospatial task on memory reconsolidation and trauma symptoms for trauma-exposed individuals after exposure to traumatic memory reactivation paradigm.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop your current medications, but it does mention that you should not have had changes in psychotropic medication (medications affecting the mind) in the last 8 weeks.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Visuospatial Task (VST), Visual Scanning Training, Visuospatial Task for PTSD?

The research suggests that PTSD is associated with impairments in cognitive functions like memory and attention, which are areas that visuospatial tasks can help improve. While the studies don't directly test the specific treatment, they indicate that improving cognitive functions can be beneficial for PTSD patients.12345

How does the cognitive task treatment for PTSD differ from other treatments?

This treatment focuses on using specific cognitive tasks to address the unique brain activity patterns and cognitive impairments seen in PTSD, such as memory and attention issues, which are not typically the primary focus of standard PTSD treatments like medication or talk therapy.12678

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-65 who speak and write English fluently, have internet access, a computer with video/audio recording, and have experienced trauma from a vehicle accident, sexual or physical assault, or combat.

Inclusion Criteria

You have experienced a serious accident, sexual assault, physical assault, or combat.
You can use the internet.
You can read and speak English fluently.
See 2 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a trauma memory reactivation procedure followed by a visuospatial task, word association task, or no treatment control condition

1 week
1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in trauma-related symptoms and memory reconsolidation effects

2 weeks
1 visit (virtual)

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Visuospatial Task (VST)
Trial OverviewThe study examines how doing a visuospatial task (like puzzles) affects the way people remember traumatic events and their symptoms of trauma. Participants will first be reminded of their trauma before trying the tasks.
Participant Groups
3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Visuospatial Task (VST)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: No Game Play (NT-CTRL)Active Control1 Intervention
Group III: Word Association Task (WAT)Placebo Group1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas at Austin

Lead Sponsor

Trials
387
Recruited
86,100+

Findings from Research

In a study of 32 Vietnam combat veterans, those with PTSD showed significant impairments in memory and attention compared to those without PTSD, indicating that these cognitive functions are particularly affected by the disorder.
Memory functioning is a key neurocognitive area that can help differentiate between veterans with and without PTSD, suggesting that it plays a specific role in the development of PTSD beyond general cognitive impairments.
Multivariate assessment of explicit memory function in combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.Gilbertson, MW., Gurvits, TV., Lasko, NB., et al.[2019]
In a study of 39 male combat veterans, those with more severe PTSD symptoms showed less activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) during cognitive tasks, indicating difficulties in cognitive inhibition.
The research also found that worse neuropsychological performance was linked to reduced functional connectivity between the medial PFC/ACC and other brain regions, suggesting that PTSD may disrupt the brain networks responsible for executive functioning and emotional regulation.
PTSD and cognitive symptoms relate to inhibition-related prefrontal activation and functional connectivity.Clausen, AN., Francisco, AJ., Thelen, J., et al.[2020]
In a study of 243 military veterans with PTSD, impaired verbal memory was specifically linked to reexperiencing symptoms, indicating that these memory deficits are closely tied to certain PTSD symptoms rather than other cognitive issues or brain injuries.
The research suggests that slowed response times during word encoding may contribute to the relationship between reexperiencing symptoms and memory performance, highlighting the importance of attentional control in addressing verbal memory deficits in PTSD treatment.
Inefficient Attentional Control Explains Verbal-Memory Deficits Among Military Veterans With Posttraumatic Reexperiencing Symptoms.Marquardt, CA., Pokorny, VJ., Disner, SG., et al.[2023]

References

Multivariate assessment of explicit memory function in combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. [2019]
PTSD and cognitive symptoms relate to inhibition-related prefrontal activation and functional connectivity. [2020]
Inefficient Attentional Control Explains Verbal-Memory Deficits Among Military Veterans With Posttraumatic Reexperiencing Symptoms. [2023]
The neurocognitive performance of female veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. [2019]
More than symptom reduction: changes in executive function over the course of PTSD treatment. [2022]
Neural systems for cognitive and emotional processing in posttraumatic stress disorder. [2021]
Memory and executive dysfunctions associated with acute posttraumatic stress disorder. [2022]
Attention and regional cerebral blood flow in posttraumatic stress disorder patients with substance abuse histories. [2019]