Identifying the Most Effective Strategies for Improving Autobiographical Memory Specificity and Its Implications for Mental Health Problems: A Meta-analysis

Forooshani, Sayedhabibollah Ahmadi; Murray, Kate; Izadikhah, Zahra; Khawaja, Nigar G.

doi:10.1007/s10608-019-10061-8

Cited by 10 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Therefore, our results do not support the efficacy of the proposed AM intervention as a standalone treatment for patients with moderate or moderately severe depressive symptoms. Although promising results have been pointed out by the previous literature, our findings are in line with a recent meta-analysis concluding that the available studies do not support the use of autobiographical memory-based interventions as standalone therapies to improve mental health problems ( Ahmadi Forooshani et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

“…In this sense, a reduction in rumination has been associated with a decrease in overgeneral memories ( Watkins and Teasdale, 2001 ). Additionally, a maladaptive use of AM is likely to affect the use of positive reminiscence as a mood-repair mechanism ( Burt et al, 1995 ; Matt et al, 1992 ), which in turn might explain the difficulties of depressed patients in using pleasant memories to augment PA. Interestingly, recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of AM interventions ( Ahmadi Forooshani et al, 2020 ; Dalgleish and Werner-Seidler, 2014 ), which further confirms the potential role of memory in the maintenance of depressed mood. Consequently, addressing AM impairments might represent a useful therapeutic tool to be used in individuals with depressive symptoms, potentially fostering positive emotion regulation and, more generally, enhancing PA levels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…Although some AM training has already been developed ( Ahmadi Forooshani et al, 2020 ), the novelty of our intervention relied on the use of VR to further enhance the retrieval of past positive memories. We hypothesized that the VR-based AM intervention would enhance patients' daily reminiscence, PA and savoring, as well as decrease daily rumination.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, the extent to which the short-term effects of the current treatment can be maintained or even improved with repeated practice over time remains unclear. A recent meta-analysis showed that AM interventions usually include between 4 and 8 sessions ( Ahmadi Forooshani et al, 2020 ). Similar to the present study findings, this meta-analysis supported the efficacy of such brief treatments on memory specificity, but also indicated that these interventions are not be recommendable as stand-alone treatments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using virtual reality to target positive autobiographical memory in individuals with moderate-to-moderately severe depressive symptoms: A single case experimental design

Fernández‐Álvarez

Colombo

Suso‐Ribera

et al. 2021

Internet Interventions

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So far, several aspects of autobiographical memory (AM) have been found to be impaired in depression. Among others, depressed patients show the tendency to recall more negative than positive events (i.e., negative bias) and usually retrieve memories that lack of specificity and details (i.e., overgeneral memories). Based on this, we designed an AM task enhanced by the use of virtual reality (VR) to specifically train the recall of positive memories. Using a single-case, multiple baseline experimental design, we explored the effects of a brief intervention consisting of two sessions of this training in a sample of 18 individuals with moderate-to-moderately severe depressive symptoms. According to the results, changes occurred at the short term only. In particular, almost all participants reported a significant improvement in at least one outcome measure 0–3 days after the intervention. However, these clinical gains were not maintained in the mid-term (from day 4 to 10). The present findings do not support the efficacy of our VR-based AM recall treatment as a standalone intervention. Nevertheless, it might represent a suitable procedure to obtain immediate and/or short-term improvements. It might also serve as a valid component to be integrated in broader protocols for patients with moderate-to-moderately severe depressive symptoms.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Using virtual reality to target positive autobiographical memory in individuals with moderate-to-moderately severe depressive symptoms: A single case experimental design

Fernández‐Álvarez

Colombo

Suso‐Ribera

et al. 2021

Internet Interventions

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“…Future research would benefit from examining if these results are specific to particular techniques. In this regard, a recent meta-analysis suggests that MEST is optimal for improving autobiographical memory specificity (Ahmadi Forooshani et al, 2020), an aspect that seems specific to this technique. Furthermore, the inclusion of certain elements, such as sharing positive emotions with other individuals, may increase health benefits of the different techniques in a transversal manner, as suggested by Lambert et al (2013).…”

Section: Empirical Evidence Of Positive Memory Intervention Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive memory intervention techniques: a scoping review

Miguel-Álvaro

Guillén

Contractor

et al. 2021

Memory

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The scoping review examines and summarises the available knowledge base on intervention techniques focused on positive memories. An iterative series of PsycInfo and Medline searches was conducted up to April 2021 following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Thirty-nine studies, spanning 12 intervention techniques, were selected and described including: (1) theoretical basis; (2) type of study, sample, and measures; (3) intervention protocol; and (4) results of empirical studies if applicable. Results indicated that most techniques have only been tested in one-two studies with modest sample sizes and, when follow-ups are conducted, they are typically short. Results indicate that working with positive memories has the greatest impact on improving positive affect and reducing depressive symptoms, and that these effects are often temporary. This review serves as a quick reference guide to help professionals' access to descriptions and information on empirical evidence of positive memory techniques, improving their therapeutic arsenal to enhance well-being and therapeutic outcomes in their patients.

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Improving older adults' autobiographical memory through video‐conferencing intervention during COVID‐19

Jung

Choi

Park

et al. 2023

Int J Geriat Psychiatry

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BackgroundAutobiographical memory (AM) is valuable not only as an indicator of mental health and cognitive function, but also as a target of therapeutic intervention for older adults. In the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the demand for online psychosocial interventions and assessment services has sharply increased. Thus, the present study examined the effectiveness of videoconferencing AM (vAM) intervention using the Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) method in addition to the traditional paper‐and‐pencil assessment among samples of community dwelling older adults.MethodsTwenty‐seven older adults (aged 66–86 years) participated in a vAM intervention composed of 4 weekly 90‐min sessions. The primary outcome was AM specificity, with secondary outcomes as depressive symptom and cognitive function, measured before and after the intervention. In addition, daily emotions were measured through EMA over 4 weeks of intervention. The EMA data were analyzed using a multilevel analysis.ResultsThe results showed low dropout rates (7%) and high EMA response rates (85%). Autobiographical memory specificity increased (Cohen's d = 0.678), and the level of depression declined significantly (Cohen's d = 0.375) after the program. Additionally, measures assessing cognitive function, such as Seoul Verbal Learning Test and DSC (Digit Symbol Coding), showed significant improvements. The EMA results indicated a decrease in the intensity and proportion of negative emotions experienced during the program.ConclusionsThis study is the first to utilize videoconferencing and EMA to deliver an AM intervention targeting older adults. The intervention was effective in improving mental health and cognitive function, including AM in older adults. Additionally, EMA was found to be a feasible tool for use in older adults.

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Identifying the Most Effective Strategies for Improving Autobiographical Memory Specificity and Its Implications for Mental Health Problems: A Meta-analysis

Cited by 10 publications

References 58 publications

Using virtual reality to target positive autobiographical memory in individuals with moderate-to-moderately severe depressive symptoms: A single case experimental design

Using virtual reality to target positive autobiographical memory in individuals with moderate-to-moderately severe depressive symptoms: A single case experimental design

Positive memory intervention techniques: a scoping review

Improving older adults' autobiographical memory through video‐conferencing intervention during COVID‐19

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