Trauma Suppression Training for Veterans

Intrusive memories of trauma are a core and often persistent symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study tested whether veterans with PTSD could take part in a computer-based training program that teaches people to stop unwanted memories from coming to mind (the Think/No-Think procedure). Veterans listed personally significant negative and positive events, learned a cue word for each, and then practiced suppressing the negative events and vividly recalling the positive ones over three consecutive days, in person or remotely. The study measured whether veterans could be recruited and retained, whether they completed the training, how acceptable they found it, and whether it was safe. It also explored changes in anxiety, worry, mood, wellbeing, and depressive symptoms, and in how vivid and distressing the trained memories were.