Motion-Assisted, Multi-Modal Memory Desensitization and Reconsolidation Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Women with a History of Sexual Trauma

Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology, vol. 35, pp. S20–S28

Abstract

Background: Women military service members (SMs) are more likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to sexual assault, highlighting a need for the development and validation of therapies. A new exposure-based therapy called motion-assisted, multi-modal memory desensitization and reconsolidation (3MDR) uses participant-chosen music and images and an eye movement (EM) task in a virtual environment. Motion-assisted, multi-modal memory desensitization and reconsolidation has shown effectiveness in treating treatment-resistant male veterans; thus, this paper focuses expressly on the utility of 3MDR in female study participants, who were 50% of the full study population. Methods: Participants with probable PTSD and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) completed 10 sessions of 3MDR. They provided songs and images representative of their trauma(s). While walking on a treadmill, participants confronted up to 7 of their trauma images while keywords were superimposed over the images. Half the participants were randomized to an eye movement task (EM+). The primary outcome was the change in posttraumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) score from pre- to post-intervention, with 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Results: All women participants had a history of sexual trauma and showed statistically and clinically significant improvement in symptom severity. The decline in mean PCL-5 scores was greater for women than for men (none of whom reported sexual trauma), though the difference was not statistically significant. Although a small sample size, the results suggest clinically meaningful sex differences. Conclusion: Motion-assisted, multi-modal memory desensitization and reconsolidation is an effective and powerful intervention for female SMs and veterans with a history of sexual trauma. Further investigation with larger sample sizes is needed.

Authors 6

1. Paula G. Bellini

   Henry M. Jackson Foundation · Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, United States

   Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, United States

   The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, United States

2. Annabel Lee Raboy

   Henry M. Jackson Foundation · Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, United States

   Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, United States

   The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, United States

3. Adele J. Fu

   Henry M. Jackson Foundation · Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, United States

   The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, United States

4. Thaddeus J. Haight

   Henry M. Jackson Foundation · Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, United States

   The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, United States

5. Eric H. G. J. M. Vermetten Aachen Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

6. Michael J. Roy

   Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, United States

   Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, United States