Collaborative research finds established, intrusive memories can be reduced through computer game play

Following a traumatic event, memories of the episode become consolidated within hours, and the affected individual may subsequently experience distressing flash backs, involving the repeated intrusion of the unwanted memories. Such memories are an unwelcome feature of disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A research collaboration between Dr Amy Milton, and Emily Holmes' group from the Medical Research Council Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit, has shown that the occurrence of established, intrusive memories of experimental trauma can be reduced through the introduction of a 'cognitive blockade', which interferes with the reconsolidation of memories following their reactivation.

Memory reconsolidation is a process during which recalled memories are capable of being disrupted and reshaped. In the study, participants experienced experimental trauma, which was then reactivated 24 hours later. Those participants who played the computer game, Tetris, following the memory reactivation, subsequently had a lower frequency of intrusive memories compared with a control group, who did not play the game. Tetris is a visuospatial cognitive task that uses working memory resources, and was used as a 'cognitive blockade' in the study.

This research, which resulted from a multi-institution collaboration, could eventually lead to the development of non-invasive interventions to help individuals suffering from unwanted intrusive memories, such as those experienced in PTSD.

The study is reported in the journal, Psychological Science:

Ella L. James, Michael B. Bonsall, Laura Hoppitt, Elizabeth M. Tunbridge, John R. Geddes, Amy L. Milton, and Emily A. Holmes. Computer Game Play Reduces Intrusive Memories of Experimental Trauma via Reconsolidation-Update Mechanisms. Psychological Science, first published on July 1, 2015 doi:10.1177/0956797615583071

Department of Psychology News