Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderPPMTNCT06680193
Therapeutic Effects of the Processing of Positive Memories Technique on Posttrauma Health
A study testing Processing of Positive Memories Technique in people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, run by University of North Texas, Denton, TX at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The current study will examine daily-level impacts of a technique addressing positive memory retrieval on thoughts, feelings, and health among individuals with trauma experiences. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Processing of Positive Memories Technique
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 70 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 11 Mar 2022to 5 Jun 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- being aged between 18 and 65 years
- endorsing a trauma with posttrauma symptoms
- access to an electronic device with internet capabilities
- working knowledge of English
- being a current resident of the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex
- willingness and availability to participate in approximately 10 weeks of this study (including 4 therapy sessions)
- willingness to be video-recorded during sessions for quality control purposes
Who cannot join
- active suicidal plan, suicidal attempt, homicidal plan, or homicidal attempt (past 3 months including current)
- currently in therapy with a mental health provider
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Daily Affect and Cognition Impacts of Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) in a Trauma-Exposed Community Sample
The current study will examine daily-level impacts of a technique addressing positive memory retrieval on thoughts, feelings, and health among individuals with trauma experiences.
Read the detailed description
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is primarily a memory encoding- and retrieval-based disorder. If untreated, there are significant physical, psychological, social, and economic impacts for an individual, their families, and the society broadly. Research demonstrates that positive memory processes contribute to the etiology and maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Indeed, difficulties in retrieving and discussing positive memories are amplified among individuals with PTSD. Further, interventions capitalizing on (positive) memory retrieval have been linked to enhanced psychological well-being.
Considering this literature, the Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) was developed as a promising new treatment approach for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which involves detailed narration and processing of specific positive autobiographical memories. This study uses an innovative research protocol that combines case-series design and daily diary approaches to the effects of PPMT on daily affect, daily cognitions, and daily PTSD symptoms. It is hypothesized that at the daily level, in comparison to their an individual's pre-PPMT levels, following the PPMT intervention, participants will report (1) a lower count of endorsed daily PTSD symptoms, (2) increases in daily positive affect and decreases in daily negative affect, (3) increases in positive affect reactivity to daily positive events, and (4) decreases in daily posttrauma cognitions.
- Conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Being tested
- Processing of Positive Memories Technique
- Keywords
- Posttrauma Health, Positive Autobiographical Memories, Trauma
- Medical subject headings
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Wounds and Injuries
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Processing of Positive Memories TechniqueBehavioural
PPMT was administered weekly as a 4-session protocol. In session 1, participants receive psychoeducation on PTSD symptoms, an overview of PPMT, and are assessed for psychological symptoms. Sessions 1-4 involve the detailed processing of a salient positive autobiographical memory to elicit "values, affect, strengths, and thoughts" related to that positive memory. Homework assignments include listening to an audio recording of that memory, completing a "values, affect, strengths, and thoughts" log, and engaging in a behavioral activity. In session 4, the therapist also reviews psychological symptoms and addresses termination.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Processing of Positive Memories Technique | Experimental | PPMT was administered as a 4-session protocol in this arm. Receives: Behavioral: Processing of Positive Memories Technique |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Daily negative and positive affect levels
Daily Positive and Negative Affect are assessed by rating the extent of four positive (excited, cheerful, satisfied, relaxed) and six negative (stressed, irritated, anxious, sad, hopeless, insecure) emotions. This is adapted from the 20-item Positive and Negative Affect Scale. The total positive affect subscale score can range from 1 to 20, with higher scores reflecting more positive affect levels. The total negative affect subscale score can range from 1 to 30, with higher scores reflecting more negative affect.
Measured: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
Daily positive events
Daily positive events is measured by 1 item which asked participants to think about the most positive event of the day and rate how pleasant it was. The score can range from 1 to 4, with higher scores reflecting that the event was more pleasant.
Measured: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
Daily posttrauma cognitions
A 9-item brief version of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI-9) will measure trauma-related thoughts/beliefs with the time frame modified to 'in the last 24 hours.' The total raw score can range from 1 to 63, with higher scores reflecting endorsement of more negative posttrauma cognitions.
Measured: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
Daily PTSD symptoms
Daily-life version of the Primary Care-PTSD-5 screen (PC-PTSD-5) will assess daily PTSD symptoms with the time frame modified to 'in the last 24 hours.' The total score can range from 0 to 5, with higher scores reflecting endorsement of more PTSD symptoms.
Measured: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
Number of retrieved positive memories
AMT assesses the number of retrieved positive memories by using five cue words followed by a prompt to recall a personally meaningful and specific memory of an event that took place within any 24-hour period. The total score could range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating more number of retrieved positive memories.
Measured: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention
Number of retrieved positive memories
AMT assesses the number of retrieved positive memories by using five cue words followed by a prompt to recall a personally meaningful and specific memory of an event that took place within any 24-hour period. The total score could range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating more number of retrieved positive memories.
Measured: 1 week after intervention sessions
Secondary outcomes (6)
Positive Emotion Dysregulation
The Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale-Positive Emotions is a 13-item self-report measure that examines dysregulation of positive emotions. The total score could range from 1 to 65, with higher scores indicating more positive emotion dysregulation.
Measured: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention
Positive Emotion Dysregulation
The Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale-Positive Emotions is a 13-item self-report measure that examines dysregulation of positive emotions. The total score could range from 1 to 65, with higher scores indicating more positive emotion dysregulation.
Measured: 1 week after intervention sessions
Positive Emotion Dysregulation
The Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale-Positive Emotions is a 13-item self-report measure that examines dysregulation of positive emotions. The total score could range from 1 to 65, with higher scores indicating more positive emotion dysregulation.
Measured: At each of the 4 weekly intervention sessions and each survey references the past week
PTSD symptom severity
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that will be used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity in relation to the worst trauma. The total score could range from 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more PTSD symptom severity.
Measured: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention
PTSD symptom severity
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that will be used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity in relation to the worst trauma. The total score could range from 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more PTSD symptom severity.
Measured: 1 week after intervention sessions
PTSD symptom severity
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 is a 20-item self-report measure that will be used to evaluate PTSD symptom severity in relation to the worst trauma. The total score could range from 0 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more PTSD symptom severity.
Measured: At each of the 4 weekly intervention sessions and each survey references the past week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Nov 2024
- Study start11 Mar 2022
- Primary completion5 Jun 2024
- Study completion5 Jun 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Texas, Denton, TX
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Haifa
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06680193
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-21-420
- Other IDs
- 2020017
- Acronym
- PPMT
- Status last verified
- Oct 2024
- First submitted
- 30 Oct 2024
- Last updated
- 8 Nov 2024
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All de-identified IPD will be shared.
Publications
Greene T, Contractor AA, Dicker-Oren SD, Fentem A, Sznitman SR. The Effects of the Processing of Positive Memories Technique on Posttrauma Affect and Cognitions Among Survivors of Trauma: Protocol for a Daily Diary Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 Jan 12;13:e51838. doi: 10.2196/51838.
PubMed 38214953Rodenbaugh MM, Thompson LM, Sznitman SR, Jin L, Contractor AA. Refining processing of positive memories technique: client perspectives on components, format, and feasibility. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2025 Dec;16(1):2563197. doi: 10.1080/20008066.2025.2563197. Epub 2025 Oct 9.
PubMed 41065062
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Nov 2024. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Daily Affect and Cognition Impacts of Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) in a Trauma-Exposed Community Sample
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06680193
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PPMT / IRB-21-420
- Conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Keywords
- Posttrauma Health, Positive Autobiographical Memories, Trauma
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Texas, Denton, TXUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Haifa
- Study start
- 11 Mar 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 5 Jun 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The current study will examine daily-level impacts of a technique addressing positive memory retrieval on thoughts, feelings, and health among individuals with trauma experiences.
Detailed description
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is primarily a memory encoding- and retrieval-based disorder. If untreated, there are significant physical, psychological, social, and economic impacts for an individual, their families, and the society broadly. Research demonstrates that positive memory processes contribute to the etiology and maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Indeed, difficulties in retrieving and discussing positive memories are amplified among individuals with PTSD. Further, interventions capitalizing on (positive) memory retrieval have been linked to enhanced psychological well-being.
Considering this literature, the Processing of Positive Memories Technique (PPMT) was developed as a promising new treatment approach for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which involves detailed narration and processing of specific positive autobiographical memories. This study uses an innovative research protocol that combines case-series design and daily diary approaches to the effects of PPMT on daily affect, daily cognitions, and daily PTSD symptoms. It is hypothesized that at the daily level, in comparison to their an individual's pre-PPMT levels, following the PPMT intervention, participants will report (1) a lower count of endorsed daily PTSD symptoms, (2) increases in daily positive affect and decreases in daily negative affect, (3) increases in positive affect reactivity to daily positive events, and (4) decreases in daily posttrauma cognitions.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Processing of Positive Memories Technique | Experimental | Behavioral: Processing of Positive Memories TechniquePPMT was administered as a 4-session protocol in this arm. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- being aged between 18 and 65 years
- endorsing a trauma with posttrauma symptoms
- access to an electronic device with internet capabilities
- working knowledge of English
- being a current resident of the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- active suicidal plan, suicidal attempt, homicidal plan, or homicidal attempt (past 3 months including current)
- currently in therapy with a mental health provider
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Processing of Positive Memories TechniquePPMT was administered weekly as a 4-session protocol. In session 1, participants receive psychoeducation on PTSD symptoms, an overview of PPMT, and are assessed for psychological symptoms. Sessions 1-4 involve the detailed processing of a salient positive autobiographical memory to elicit "values, affect, strengths, and thoughts" related to that positive memory. Homework assignments include listening to an audio recording of that memory, completing a "values, affect, strengths, and thoughts" log, and engaging in a behavioral activity. In session 4, the therapist also reviews psychological symptoms and addresses termination. | Behavioural | Processing of Positive Memories Technique |
Primary outcome
Daily negative and positive affect levels
Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
Daily Positive and Negative Affect are assessed by rating the extent of four positive (excited, cheerful, satisfied, relaxed) and six negative (stressed, irritated, anxious, sad, hopeless, insecure) emotions. This is adapted from the 20-item Positive and Negative Affect Scale. The total positive affect subscale score can range from 1 to 20, with higher scores reflecting more positive affect levels. The total negative affect subscale score can range from 1 to 30, with higher scores reflecting more negative affect.
Daily positive events
Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
Daily positive events is measured by 1 item which asked participants to think about the most positive event of the day and rate how pleasant it was. The score can range from 1 to 4, with higher scores reflecting that the event was more pleasant.
Daily posttrauma cognitions
Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
A 9-item brief version of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI-9) will measure trauma-related thoughts/beliefs with the time frame modified to 'in the last 24 hours.' The total raw score can range from 1 to 63, with higher scores reflecting endorsement of more negative posttrauma cognitions.
Daily PTSD symptoms
Time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours
Daily-life version of the Primary Care-PTSD-5 screen (PC-PTSD-5) will assess daily PTSD symptoms with the time frame modified to 'in the last 24 hours.' The total score can range from 0 to 5, with higher scores reflecting endorsement of more PTSD symptoms.
Number of retrieved positive memories
Time frame: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention
AMT assesses the number of retrieved positive memories by using five cue words followed by a prompt to recall a personally meaningful and specific memory of an event that took place within any 24-hour period. The total score could range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating more number of retrieved positive memories.
Number of retrieved positive memories
Time frame: 1 week after intervention sessions
AMT assesses the number of retrieved positive memories by using five cue words followed by a prompt to recall a personally meaningful and specific memory of an event that took place within any 24-hour period. The total score could range from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating more number of retrieved positive memories.
6 secondary outcomes
Positive Emotion Dysregulation
Time frame: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention
Positive Emotion Dysregulation
Time frame: 1 week after intervention sessions
Positive Emotion Dysregulation
Time frame: At each of the 4 weekly intervention sessions and each survey references the past week
PTSD symptom severity
Time frame: Baseline survey approximately 4 weeks prior to the intervention
PTSD symptom severity
Time frame: 1 week after intervention sessions
PTSD symptom severity
Time frame: At each of the 4 weekly intervention sessions and each survey references the past week
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Nov 2024.
- Background: PubMed 38214953Greene T, Contractor AA, Dicker-Oren SD, Fentem A, Sznitman SR. The Effects of the Processing of Positive Memories Technique on Posttrauma Affect and Cognitions Among Survivors of Trauma: Protocol for a Daily Diary Study. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 Jan 12;13:e51838. doi: 10.2196/51838.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41065062Rodenbaugh MM, Thompson LM, Sznitman SR, Jin L, Contractor AA. Refining processing of positive memories technique: client perspectives on components, format, and feasibility. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2025 Dec;16(1):2563197. doi: 10.1080/20008066.2025.2563197. Epub 2025 Oct 9.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All de-identified IPD will be shared.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Processing of Positive Memories Technique in people with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, run by University of North Texas, Denton, TX at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Nov 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Daily negative and positive affect levels (time frame: Each day for 21 days prior to and after the intervention and each survey references the past 24 hours). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06680193, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Nov 2024.