Degrading emotional memories induced by a virtual reality paradigm. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cuperus, Anne A.; Laken, Maarten; van den Hout, Marcel A.; Engelhard, Iris M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry. Volume 52(2016)
• Page Start: 45
• Page End: 50
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Virtual reality -- Trauma film paradigm -- EMDR -- Working memory -- Shape sorter -- PTSD; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2016.03.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7916

Abstract

Abstract: Background and objectives: In Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a dual-task approach is used: patients make horizontal eye movements while they recall aversive memories. Studies showed that this reduces memory vividness and/or emotionality. A strong explanation is provided by working memory theory, which suggests that other taxing dual-tasks are also effective. Experiment 1 tested whether a visuospatial task which was carried out while participants were blindfolded taxes working memory. Experiment 2 tested whether this task degrades negative memories induced by a virtual reality (VR) paradigm. Methods: In experiment 1, participants responded to auditory cues with or without simultaneously carrying out the visuospatial task. In experiment 2, participants recalled negative memories induced by a VR paradigm. The experimental group simultaneously carried out the visuospatial task, and a control group merely recalled the memories. Changes in self-rated memory vividness and emotionality were measured. Results: The slowing down of reaction times due to the visuospatial task indicated that its cognitive load was greater than the load of the eye movements task in previous studies. The task also led to reductions in emotionality (but not vividness) of memories induced by the VR paradigm. Limitations: Weaknesses are that only males were tested in experiment 1, and the effectiveness of the VR fear/trauma induction was not assessed with ratings of mood or intrusions in experiment 2. Conclusions: The results suggest that the visuospatial task may be applicable in clinical settings, and the VR paradigm may provide a useful method of inducing negative memories. Highlights: Negative memories were induced in healthy participants using a VR paradigm. Carrying out a visuospatial task during recall led to reduced memory emotionality. The cognitive load of the task was substantial as evident from a separate experiment. The VR paradigm may be useful in the experimental study of aversive memories.