vivid visual memories such as the sight of the blood-spattered body of a fellow soldier), , Pathological trauma flashbacks consist of sensory, visual images (i.e.
Human memory differentiates visual and verbal components, ,.However, the same theory suggests other types of intervention may be harmful. This proposal was theory-driven from a cognitive neuroscience account of the sensory nature of trauma memory and interference with flashback formation. Specifically, we proposed that playing computer games such as Tetris post-trauma may offer a ‘cognitive vaccine’ to inoculate against the build-up of flashbacks. We proposed the development of computerized, low intensity, intervention against PTSD flashbacks for use as a preventative mental health strategy. Thus, the trauma field is in critical need of easily accessible treatment innovations to reduce PTSD symptoms in the immediate aftermath of trauma.Ī ‘cognitive vaccine’ against flashbacks via visuospatial computer games such as Tetris: a treatment rationale from cognitive science Further, the scale of trauma world-wide is significant including war, terrorism, natural disasters, interpersonal violence and so forth. In particular, we now know there are substantial international at-risk populations for PTSD such as soldiers involved in combat. That is, we lack early interventions to treat people in the aftermath of trauma exposure. We do not yet have evidence-based methods to prevent the build up of symptoms.
While we have successful treatments for patients who have developed full blown PTSD these treatments can only be administered after 1-month post-trauma (once the disorder is diagnosed). Re-experiencing symptoms such as flashbacks are the hallmark characteristic of PTSD and a precursor to the disorder. At their worst, such flashbacks to trauma can persist for extended periods of time, causing significant distress and impairment. These involuntary trauma memories are associated with significant emotion and distress. After experiencing a traumatic event, people can suffer from disturbing intrusive memories of the event, commonly referred to as flashbacks, in which the traumatic material comes back to mind as unwanted images and scenes of the trauma. The majority of healthy individuals are liable to suffer a traumatic event at some point in their life time, and are thus placed at risk of developing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The psychological impact of trauma is a major challenge to human health worldwide. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Ĭompeting interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. James was supported by a Wellcome Trust Vacation Scholarship and a Colt Foundation Fellowship. Holmes has received fellowship funding from the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.įunding: Emily A.
Received: JAccepted: SeptemPublished: November 10, 2010Ĭopyright: © 2010 Holmes et al. PLoS ONE 5(11):Įditor: Kenji Hashimoto, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Japan Citation: Holmes EA, James EL, Kilford EJ, Deeprose C (2010) Key Steps in Developing a Cognitive Vaccine against Traumatic Flashbacks: Visuospatial Tetris versus Verbal Pub Quiz.