We invite adults with a trauma memory, and PTSD symptoms or diagnosis, to help us investigate a new treatment's feasibility and links to brain functions. Tetris Memory Technique (TMT) involves a set of simple actions that can be undertaken on a computer at home.
- Two-week intervention
- No medication required
- Support from an experienced team, including psychologists specialising in trauma therapy
- Previous research indicates possible benefit to PTSD and trauma memory symptoms
- Game-like and pleasant
- Attend the Thompson Institute on three-five occasions for testing then complete the intervention in your own home
Tetris Memory Technique (TMT) Study
We're studying a new therapeutic technique for PTSD and trauma.
Tetris memory technique (TMT) is a hybrid of Tetris research and flash technique. We have developed TMT based on existing research indicating Tetris and flash technique are capable of reducing trauma memory symptoms. Tetris has been proposed to reduce the frequency and severity of intrusive memories with the potential for decreasing or alleviating flashbacks. Flash technique potentially reduces distress and other symptoms brought on by trauma. Both techniques have demonstrated their safety.
The hybridised TMT may provide a simple, digital and cost-effective treatment for trauma. TMT testing indicated encouraging results.
We invite adults (18yrs and above) with a trauma memory, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms or diagnosis, to help us investigate this treatment's feasibility and links to brain functions.
Initial pilot participants have reported positive results, they noted a decline in distress or complete resolve of their trauma memory over two weeks. Some participants reported a resolution in PTSD symptoms or other trauma related diagnoses. A benefit of TMT is that it operates with limited exposure to the trauma memory and instead focuses on a pleasant cognitive task.
TMT is a hybrid of Tetris research and flash technique.
Flash technique has been shown to be just as effective as EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy) – a current leading treatment for PTSD. Participants’ level of exposure to the trauma memory is much less in flash technique than in EMDR. Most people find the technique easier and more tolerable to engage in.
Playing Tetris has been established in it’s potential to prevent long-term impact of a traumatic event. It is postulated that the mental demands of the game interrupt the way memories are stored in the brain by targeting the hippocampus.
Who the study might be suitable for
We're taking expressions of interest now for a study commencement in 2025
You might choose to participate if you have a trauma memory you wish to work on as part of the intervention.
An example of a trauma memory may include (but is not limited to):
- an accident
- witnessing or experiencing violence or assault
- death or loss
- injury or hospitalisation
- nightmares or a disturbing experience
- a negative medical experience
- natural disaster
- a near miss
Eligibility
We seek participants who:
- Are aged 18 years +
- Have a trauma memory that still causes distress
- Are experiencing PTSD symptoms or have been diagnosed with PTSD
- Have no serious physical health conditions, cardiovascular disease, or neurological conditions
- Do not have current suicidality, psychosis, bipolar disorder, severe substance abuse, or major depression
What participation involves
You will learn TMT with the support of a registered psychologist and her team. It involves an easy-to-follow computer-based program.
TMT therapy will require participants to briefly remember the target (trauma) memory and rate its associated distress, before quickly moving on to a pleasant cognitive task (Tetris), these elements are repeated at specific intervals.
Participants also complete self-report questionnaire packs, engage in neurocognitive assessments, and undergo non-invasive MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain.
- The technique was specifically designed for highly distressing memories, and the technique uses a small window of exposure before immediately engaging in a distraction to improve tolerance and decrease distress over time.
- This study will contribute to and extend the current literature regarding the neurobiological underpinnings of trauma/PTSD and novel treatment approaches. Participants may gain a better understanding of the neurological basis of trauma memory processing through a technique that has been described as safe and pleasant.
Research investigator, Stephanie Price, is a registered psychologist who has 10 years of clinical experience and specialises in trauma therapy. She has advanced training in trauma therapies and is a lived experience survivor of PTSD and trauma. Some participants may experience some anxiety about the technique due to it being a novel treatment. Stephanie is trained to manage this.
Co-researcher Chloe Van Breemen has been working in the psychological industry for five years and has experience conducting psychological assessments, diagnosing mental health disorders, and providing supervised treatment.
Co-investigator Professor Alain Brunet is an internationally renown expert in PTSD and trauma treatment. He developed Reconsolidation Therapy which has been used for victims of terrorism, relationship betrayal and continues to be used to treat traumatic memories. Professor Brunet has been investigating the impact of trauma for over 20 years and has developed many clinical trials.
This study will be carried out at the National PTSD Research Centre at UniSC’s Thompson Institute, in collaboration with other experts:
- Associate Professor Zack Shan – Chief Investigator, Head of neuroimaging, Thompson Institute, Sunshine Coast, QLD
- Dr Christina Driver – Co-Investigator, Lecturer in Mental Health and Neuroscience, Thompson Institute, Sunshine Coast, QLD
- Dr Jacob Levenstein, Co-Investigator, Research Fellow, Thompson Institute, Sunshine Coast, QLD
- Dr Luke Ney – Co-Investigator, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD
- A trained MRI technician, Thompson Institute, Sunshine Coast, QLD
- A data scientist, Thompson Institute, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Our team includes experts in trauma treatment, neuroimaging and research dedicated to providing a safe and supportive space throughout your participation. However, we are a research team and are not responsible for your ongoing psychological care, this should be referred to your GP and/or private psychologist.
Research shows 74.9% of Australians will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime, this exposure increases the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Using a simple psychological technique, it may be possible to reduce the effect of trauma memories using a short intervention, which could minimise the risk of developing PTSD or other severe psychological disorders.
If these experiences are already part of PTSD, the technique has been shown to reduce or resolve PTSD symptoms in previous research.
The purpose of this research project is to understand the impact of flash technique on PTSD symptomology, and the brain mechanisms involved, to provide vital information for treatment of trauma.
Contact us
To learn more about this study contact:
Stephanie Price, registered psychologist and research investigator
Email: [email protected]
Chloe Van Breemen, co-researcher
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +61 7 5430 1191