Mind & behavior · 2007
Does recalling a traumatic event worsen working memory in people with PTSD?
In this study, working memory impairment in participants with PTSD remained unchanged after an interview that included recounting their trauma. This provides preliminary evidence that their neurocognitive impairment was not secondary to psychological effects triggered by recalling traumatic memories.
Details
Heightened arousal has previously been discussed as a contributor to neurocognitive impairment in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The study investigated whether psychological effects triggered by recalling traumatic memories—distraction and reallocation of resources—affect subsequent cognitive performance in PTSD. It used a before-and-after assessment design: 33 trauma-exposed participants, 15 with PTSD and 18 without PTSD, completed two parallel versions of a working memory task. Between the first and second working memory assessments, participants underwent a trauma-related interview that included recounting their trauma.
The level of working memory impairment in participants with PTSD remained unchanged. The study provides preliminary evidence that neurocognitive impairment is not secondary to psychological effects induced by recalling traumatic memories.
Nevertheless, the researchers recommended that future PTSD research pay greater attention to the order in which trauma-related measures and other dependent variables, such as cognitive tests, are presented to participants.
What do you think?
Good conversations begin with curiosity.
You can read comments without an account. Sign in to write.
Loading comments…