Modulating the Persistence of Intrusive Memories: From the Lab to Naturalistic Environments

Intrusive memories of trauma are distressing and disruptive—too often persisting for years. Understanding intrusions from an experimental psychology perspective informs both theory and clinical innovation.

We lack preventative and scalable interventions post-trauma.We have developed a brief, science-driven behavioural intervention to prevent and reduce intrusions.

Across laboratory and naturalistic settings, this 4-year project takes the next theoretical and clinical steps to investigate how intrusive memories can be modulated over time.

For the first time, we aim to:(1) In behavioural lab experiments, optimize the strength of memory reminder cues presented within the intervention to reduce intrusions(2) Soon after trauma in the emergency department, evaluate the intervention’s ability to prevent persistent intrusive memories over 1 month via an RCT(3) For long-standing trauma memories in a naturalistic environment (Iceland), assess remote intervention delivery to reduce intrusions via a pilot trialPI Holmes leads 3 projects with established collaborations mirroring 3 aims: (1) experimental psychology; (2) clinical psychology; (3) epidemiology, alongside statistics.

Project timeline with subgoals underscores feasibility across the 4-years.Findings across a range of settings illuminate mechanisms to stop the persistence of intrusions, advancing knowledge of memory dysfunction. These new and novel studies inform basic theories of memory, and translational psychological science.