Preventive efforts in the aftermath of analogue trauma: The effects of Tetris and exercise on intrusive images

Abstract

Background and objectives: Efficacious interventions soon after trauma exposure to prevent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are scarce. Evidence suggests that post-trauma, reminder cues to reactivate trauma memory followed by a cognitive visuospatial task, such as Tetris, reduce later intrusive images. Furthermore, studies indicate that aerobic exercise may reduce PTSD symptoms. The present study aimed to test whether playing Tetris, without prior reminder cues, after an experimental trauma limits the development of analogue symptoms and to compare Tetris to aerobic exercise, which could plausibly alter cognitive-affective processing of the trauma as well.

Methods: Participants (N = 71) watched a distressing film and were randomly assigned to either playing Tetris, cycling, or remaining sedentary for 25 min without prior reminder cues. Intrusive images and co-occurring distress were recorded in a diary during the following week. After one week, participants completed a recognition test to assess voluntary memories of the film.

Results: Neither Tetris nor exercise, without prior memory reactivation, reduced intrusive images and associated distress nor impeded voluntary memory compared to the control condition. There were no effects of physical fitness level at baseline or voluntary exercise during the subsequent week on analogue symptoms.

Limitations: Although participants were instructed to record intrusions as they occurred in diaries, they did not receive additional reminders throughout the follow-up period.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that neither a single bout of aerobic exercise, nor playing Tetris without prior memory reactivation, after an analogue trauma reduces stress symptoms. Potential explanations and clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise; Intrusive memories; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Trauma film; Visuospatial cognitive task.