Reducing involuntary memory by interfering consolidation of stressful auditory information: A pilot study

• The development of intrusive emotional memories is dependent on consolidation processes.
• Following exposure to aversive auditory stimuli, we examined if cognitive tasks will interfere with consolidation processes.
• Auditory intrusions were reduced by verbal tasks compared to both a control no-task and a visuospatial task.
• Results are in line with a modality-specific approach to intrusion modulation.
• The results were discussed in terms of potential implications for theoretical models and treatment innovations.

Background and objectivesIntrusive emotional memories were induced by aversive auditory stimuli and modulated with cognitive tasks performed post-encoding (i.e., during consolidation).MethodA between-subjects design was used with four conditions; three consolidation-interference tasks (a visuospatial and two verbal interference tasks) and a no-task control condition. Forty-one participants listened to a soundtrack depicting traumatic scenes (e.g., police brutality, torture and rape). Immediately after listening to the soundtrack, the subjects completed a randomly assigned task for 10 min. Intrusions from the soundtrack were reported in a diary during the following seven-day period.ResultsIn line with a modality-specific approach to intrusion modulation, auditory intrusions were reduced by verbal tasks compared to both a no-task and a visuospatial interference task..LimitationsThe study did not control for individual differences in imagery ability which may be a feature in intrusion development.ConclusionsThe results provide an increased understanding of how intrusive mental images can be modulated which may have implications for preventive treatment..