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18-11-2020 | Original Article

Comparing the Efficacy of Competitive Memory Training (COMET) and MEmory Specificity Training (MEST) on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients

Auteurs: Sharareh Farahimanesh, Alireza Moradi, Meysam Sadeghi, Laura Jobson

Gepubliceerd in: Cognitive Therapy and Research | Uitgave 5/2021

Abstract

Background

Cancer has been considered a potentially traumatic experience and is a distinct pathway by which one might develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study compared the efficacy of COmpetitive MEmory Training (COMET), an intervention aimed at altering dysfunctional self-representations, and MEmory Specificity Training (MEST), an intervention targeting autobiographical memory deficits, on PTSD and depression symptoms. As a secondary aim, we also investigated the effect of COMET and MEST on trauma-related attentional biases.

Methods

Sixty newly diagnosed cancer patients with PTSD were randomly assigned to either the COMET (n = 30) or MEST groups (n = 30). Each participant completed the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5, Beck Depression Inventory-II and a dot-probe task. The groups then underwent either COMET or MEST. All the assessments were re-conducted after the treatment (post-treatment) and at three months post-treatment (follow-up).

Results

The COMET group had significantly fewer PTSD and depression symptoms compared to the MEST group at post-training and follow-up. Both groups indicated a significant reduction in attentional biases following training.

Conclusions

This study suggests that COMET is a promising brief intervention for the treatment of PTSD in cancer patients.

vorige artikel Imagery Rescripting of Painful Memories in Social Anxiety Disorder: A Qualitative Analysis of Needs Fulfillment and Memory Updating

volgende artikel A Cognitive Control Training as Add-On Treatment to Usual Care for Depressed Inpatients

The data file is available by contacting the corresponding author.

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Titel: Comparing the Efficacy of Competitive Memory Training (COMET) and MEmory Specificity Training (MEST) on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients
Auteurs: Sharareh Farahimanesh
Alireza Moradi
Meysam Sadeghi
Laura Jobson
Publicatiedatum: 18-11-2020
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Cognitive Therapy and Research / Uitgave 5/2021
Print ISSN: 0147-5916
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-2819
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-020-10175-4

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