Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Clinical Trials

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A Tetris Intervention Following Subliminal Reactivation for Reducing Intrusive Memories in Trauma-exposed Individuals: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Intrusive memories of traumatic events are a core feature of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and can cause substantial distress and functional impairment. Existing trauma-focused treatments are effective but often require deliberate recollection of traumatic experiences, which can be distressing for some individuals. Previous experimental studies in healthy participants found that masked reactivation of trauma-related cues, followed after a brief interval by a visuospatial interference task using Tetris gameplay, reduced the frequency and emotional intensity of intrusive memories. Building on these findings, the present randomized controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of this intervention in trauma-exposed individuals experiencing three or more intrusive memories per week.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 50
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Meet DSM-5 PTSD Criterion A (eg, exposure to actual or threatened death). Have experienced one or more traumatic events.

• Experienced three or more intrusive memories during the baseline week.

• Have internet access and have access to a personal computer.

• Be willing to provide consent and able to complete study procedures and be contacted by the study team.

Locations
Other Locations
China
School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University
RECRUITING
Xi'an
Contact Information
Primary
Zhu Zijian
zhuzijian0203@snnu.edu.cn
+86 13572494696
Time Frame
Start Date: 2026-04-10
Estimated Completion Date: 2028-07-30
Participants
Target number of participants: 106
Treatments
Experimental: Unconscious Reactivation
Participants in this experimental arm will undergo subliminal (unconscious) reactivation of trauma-related memories. Trauma-related cues are presented below the threshold of conscious awareness. Following reactivation, participants complete a 10-minute music-listening task, after which they perform a computerized visuospatial interference task (Tetris) with mental rotation instructions.
Sham_comparator: No Reactivation Control
Participants in this control arm will not undergo trauma memory reactivation. They will proceed directly to a computerized visuospatial task (Tetris) with mental rotation instructions. This condition serves as a comparator for evaluating the effects of the experimental intervention while controlling for the nonspecific effects associated with engagement in the visuospatial task.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Shaanxi Normal University

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov