Targeting the reconsolidation of traumatic memories with a brief 2-session imaginal exposure intervention in post-traumatic stress disorder

Autor(es)

Vermes, Joana Singer ^{[1, 2]} ; Ayres, Ricardo ^[1] ; Goes, Adara Saito ^[1] ; Del Real, Natalia ^[1] ; Araujo, Alvaro Cabral ^[1] ; Schiller, Daniela ^[3] ; Lotufo Neto, Francisco ^[1] ; Corchs, Felipe ^{[1, 2]}

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst & Dept Psychiat, R Dr Ovidio Pires Campos, 785 IPq HC FMUSP, BR-05403010 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Paradigma Ctr Behav Anal, Rua Vanderlei 611, BR-04590000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Icahn Sch Med Mt Sinai, Gustave L Levy Pl, New York, NY 10029 - USA

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Journal of Affective Disorders; v. 276, p. 487-494, NOV 1 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Background: Evidence suggests that extinction during memory reconsolidation diminishes the return of defensive responses. In order to translate these effects to the clinical setting, we tested whether retrieving a traumatic memory and delivering a brief two-sessions imaginal exposure intervention during its reconsolidation would produce stronger decreases in reactivity to these memories than standard imaginal exposure method. Methods: Participants with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) had either their traumatic (n = 21) or a neutral (n = 21) memory retrieved 1 h before an imaginal exposure session for two consecutive days. One day before and one day after, participants were exposed to script-driven imagery of their traumatic event, during which skin conductance responses were measured and, immediately after, subjective responses were assessed by means of Visual Analogue Scales. Results: Traumatic retrieval improved the physiological, but not the subjective effects of imaginal exposure intervention on over-reactivity to traumatic memories. Conclusions: Our results suggest that delivering extinction-based treatments over the reconsolidation of traumatic memories may enhance its effects. These results suggest that this is a promising path toward the development of new therapeutic techniques. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/04810-0 - Novas estratégias para transformação de memórias traumáticas
• Beneficiário: Felipe D Alessandro Ferreira Corchs
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular