A randomised controlled trial of Memory Flexibility training (MemFlex) to enhance memory flexibility and reduce depressive symptomatology in individuals with Major Depressive Disorder

Resumen

The published version of this paper is available through open access at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2018.08.008. Successful navigation within the autobiographical memory store is integral to daily cognition. Impairment in the flexibility of memory retrieval processes can thereby have a detrimental impact on mental health. This randomised controlled phase II trial (N=60) evaluated the potential of a novel, autobiographical memory-based intervention drawn from basic science – an autobiographical Memory Flexibility (MemFlex) training programme – which sought to ameliorate memory difficulties and improve symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder. MemFlex was compared to Psychoeducation (an evidence-based low-intensity intervention) to determine the likely range of effects on a primary cognitive target of memory flexibility at post-intervention, and co-primary clinical targets of self-reported depressive symptoms and depression diagnostic status at three month follow-up, in preparation for a later phase trial. Results demonstrated small-moderate effect sizes in favour of MemFlex for memory flexibility (d=0.34), self-reported depressive symptoms (d=0.24), and loss of depression diagnosis (OR=0.65), along with the secondary outcome of depression-free days (d=0.36). These results suggest that further development and definitive evaluation of MemFlex is warranted as an avenue to improving the low-intensity treatment of depression.

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Cómo citar (APA 7)

Hitchcock, C., Gormley, S., Rees, C., Rodrigues, E., Gillard, J., Panesar, I., Wright, I. M., Hammond, E., Dritschel, B., & Watson, P. (2018). A randomised controlled trial of Memory Flexibility training (MemFlex) to enhance memory flexibility and reduce depressive symptomatology in individuals with Major Depressive Disorder. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2018.08.008