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A randomised controlled trial of memory flexibility training (MemFlex) to enhance memory flexibility and reduce depressive symptomatology in individuals with major depressive disorder.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Gormley, Siobhan 
Rees, Catrin 
Rodrigues, Evangeline 
Gillard, Julia 

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Successful navigation within the autobiographical memory store is integral to daily cognition. Impairment in the flexibility of memory retrieval can thereby have a detrimental impact on mental health. This randomised controlled phase II exploratory trial (N = 60) evaluated the potential of a novel 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 diagnostic status at three-month follow-up. These effect sizes could subsequently be used to estimate sample size for a fully-powered trial. Results demonstrated small-moderate, though as expected statistically non-significant, effect sizes in favour of MemFlex for memory flexibility (d = 0.34, p = .20), and loss of diagnosis (OR = 0.65, p = .48), along with the secondary outcome of depression-free days (d = 0.36, p = .18). A smaller effect size was observed for between-group difference in self-reported depressive symptoms (d = 0.24, p = .35). Effect sizes in favour of MemFlex in this early-stage trial suggest that fully-powered evaluation of MemFlex may be warranted as an avenue to improving low-intensity treatment of depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier NCT02371291.

Description

Keywords

Autobiographical memory, Depression, Low-intensity treatment, Memory flexibility, Randomised controlled trial, Adult, Depressive Disorder, Major, Female, Humans, Learning, Male, Memory Disorders, Memory, Episodic, Single-Blind Method, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult

Journal Title

Behav Res Ther

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0005-7967
1873-622X

Volume Title

110

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
MRC (unknown)
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00005/14)
Economic and Social Research Council (ES/R010781/1)
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00005/4)