Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is the inability to tolerate distress that arises in response to the absence of important information. The level of IU has been investigated across various psychological disorders; however, few studies have examined IU in trauma-affected samples. We aimed to investigate the relationship between IU and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) across the course of treatment. Participants (n = 106) had a diagnosis of PTSD and were from first responder, military, and occupational injury backgrounds. Participants completed self-report questionnaires preand post-engagement in an inpatient group trauma-informed psychoeducation and skills (TIPS) intervention. Regression analyses indicated that decreases in overall and inhibitory IU were associated with decreases in PTSD severity overall and at the symptom cluster level. However, prospective IU was only associated with changes in the re-experiencing, avoidance, and arousal PTSD symptom clusters. Our findings are congruent with the nascent literature indicating that IU may be a maintaining factor for PTSD, suggesting clinical relevance for attendance to IU within the course of treatment.
Visuospatial cognitive tasks that influence memory reconsolidation may be of benefit in reducing intrusive memories for traumatic events when used as an adjunct to trauma-focused psychotherapy. We conducted a feasibility assessment of a protocol that involved the use of a visuospatial cognitive task, the Tetris intervention, alongside routine exposure-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants were inpatients attending for PTSD treatment at a psychiatric hospital. The Tetris intervention was administered on three occasions when imaginal exposure had formed part of the treatment session. Using a phone app, participants also monitored intrusive memories over a 3-week period. Feasibility outcomes were fully met for the demand, implementation, practicality and adaptability criteria. Only a single criterion was not met for each of the acceptability and implementation criteria. Limited-efficacy testing outcomes are also discussed. Overall, the findings from our feasibility study indicated viability of the protocol, which involved implementation of the Tetris intervention alongside routine exposure-based treatment for PTSD, in a clinical inpatient setting.
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