Estudo experimental de memórias intrusivas : adaptação e implementação do paradigma de trauma-análogo

Abstract

The exposure to potentially traumatic events are part of life, however, these events may produce Stress Disorder Posttraumatic (PTSD). PTSD has been regarded as a memory disorder due to the centrality of the intrusions symptoms, often in the form of unintentionally recovered memories. However, there is still no consensus on the mnemonic mechanisms involved in such intrusions. To better understand the phenomenon studies have used the Trauma Analogue-Paradigm (TAP). The TAP consists in a non-clinical sample watching intense content videos, usually with scenes involving a physical strain and recording intrusions over seven days. In order to better understand PTSD’s intrusions this dissertation is divided into two studies, one theoretical and one empirical. The theoretical study entitled "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: the role of memory and its Implications for clinical practice" is a critical literature review which aimed to delineate the role of memory in the theoretical models of PTSD and its clinical implications. Through this research, it was evident that although there is a growing interest in the mnemonic mechanisms of PTSD these are still unclear regarding their role in the development and maintenance of PTSD. We highlight that studies in experimental cognitive psychopathology can contribute theoretically and with the emergence of new interventions. The empirical study entitled "Talking about it or playing Tetris? The role of verbal and visuospatial interference in memory consolidation and trauma intrusions" contains two experiments that aimed to establish a TAP adapted to the Brazilian population and through it investigate the effect of cognitive tasks in the incidence of intrusive memories. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the modified protocol is viable and capable of eliciting intrusive memories with a trauma-analogue. The second experiment showed that the use of cognitive tasks, regardless of whether, tend to increase the number of intrusions; differences between the verbal and the visuospatial tasks were not statistically significant. When considered altogether, the results of the second experiment do not support a perspective of specific mechanisms in PTSD but suggest a processing in line with the general functioning of memory and attention. Although these cognitive tasks have not been effective in reducing the intrusion, the search for new cognitive and prophylactic interventions should continue. It is recommended that the methodological rigor should be kept without losing sight of the possible use of these cognitive tasks in a more ecological context as interventions.