Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran; Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran.
Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Behav Res Ther. 2014 May;56:68-74. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2014.03.002. Epub 2014 Mar 19.
Poor autobiographical memory specificity is a cognitive marker of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an independent predictor of poor prognosis. This pilot randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of MEmory Specificity Training (MEST) (an intervention aimed at ameliorating specificity problems) on autobiographical memory recall and PTSD symptoms. Iranian combat veterans with PTSD were randomly assigned into the MEST (n = 12) or control (n = 12) group. At baseline, groups completed Farsi versions of the Autobiographical Memory Test and Impact of Event Scale-Revised. The intervention group then had four, weekly, group sessions of MEST. The control group had no additional contact. All measures were re-administered post-intervention and at three-month follow-up. The MEST group generated significantly more specific memories and had significantly fewer PTSD symptoms following training and at follow-up than the control group. Findings suggest MEST is a promising intervention for the treatment of PTSD.
自传体记忆特异性差是创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）的认知标志物，也是预后不良的独立预测因子。这项先导随机对照试验研究了记忆特异性训练（MEST）（旨在改善特异性问题的干预措施）对自传体记忆回忆和 PTSD 症状的疗效。患有 PTSD 的伊朗战斗退伍军人被随机分配到 MEST（n=12）或对照组（n=12）。在基线时，两组都完成了 Farsi 版本的自传记忆测试和事件影响量表修订版。干预组随后进行了四次每周一次的 MEST 小组会议。对照组没有额外的联系。所有措施在干预后和三个月随访时再次进行评估。与对照组相比，MEST 组在训练后和随访时产生了更多的特异性记忆，且 PTSD 症状显著减少。研究结果表明，MEST 是治疗 PTSD 的一种很有前途的干预措施。
