Research article summary (published 5 Jan 2009):

Can playing the computer game "Tetris" reduce the build-up of flashbacks for trauma? A proposal from cognitive science.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: Flashbacks are the hallmark symptom of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although we have successful treatments for full-blown PTSD, early interventions are lacking. We propose the utility of developing a 'cognitive vaccine' to prevent PTSD flashback development following exposure to trauma. Our theory is based on two key findings: 1) Cognitive science suggests that the brain has selective resources with limited capacity; 2) The neurobiology of memory suggests a 6-hr window to disrupt memory consolidation. The rationale for a 'cognitive vaccine' approach is as follows: Trauma flashbacks are sensory-perceptual, visuospatial mental images. Visuospatial cognitive tasks selectively compete for resources required to generate mental images. Thus, a visuospatial computer game (e.g. "Tetris") will interfere with flashbacks. Visuospatial tasks post-trauma, performed within the time window for memory consolidation, will reduce subsequent flashbacks. We predicted that playing "Tetris" half an hour after viewing trauma would reduce flashback frequency over 1-week. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The Trauma Film paradigm was used as a well-established experimental analog for Post-traumatic Stress. All participants viewed a traumatic film consisting of scenes of real injury and death followed by a 30-min structured break. Participants were then randomly allocated to either a no-task or visuospatial ("Tetris") condition which they undertook for 10-min. Flashbacks were monitored for 1-week. Results indicated that compared to the no-task condition, the "Tetris" condition produced a significant reduction in flashback frequency over 1-week. Convergent results were found on a clinical measure of PTSD symptomatology at 1-week. Recognition memory between groups did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Playing "Tetris" after viewing traumatic material reduces unwanted, involuntary memory flashbacks to that traumatic film, leaving deliberate memory recall of the event intact. Pathological aspects of human memory in the aftermath of trauma may be malleable using non-invasive, cognitive interventions. This has implications for a novel avenue of preventative treatment development, much-needed as a crisis intervention for the aftermath of traumatic events.

Author information

Author/s: Holmes, Emily A (EA); James, Ella L (EL); Coode-Bate, Thomas (T); Deeprose, Catherine (C);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. emily.holmes(-atsign-)psych.ox.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: PloS one (PLoS One), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-; vol 4 (issue 1) : pp e4153

Dates: Created 2009/01/07; Completed 2009/02/13; Revised 2009/06/16;

PMID: 19127289, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/16/2009, IMS Date: 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Cognitive Science Computers Female Humans Life Change Events

Male Memory Mental Recall Middle Aged Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology Video Games Young Adult

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