Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37833734›Full record

ArticlePilot and feasibility studies2023

Reconsolidation of traumatic memories protocol compared to trauma-focussed cognitive behaviour therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in UK military veterans: a randomised controlled feasibility trial.

J Sturt, R Rogers, C Armour, D Cameron, L De Rijk, F Fiorentino, T Forbes, C Glen, A Grealish, J Kreft and 4 more

2 registry-linked trialsAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Pilot and feasibility studies, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 2 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT07185126 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Developing Innovative PTSD Treatment for Children: Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories Protocol™ for Children (RTM-C Protocol)

TypeinterventionalSponsorViktoriia GorbunovaRan2025 to 2026Enrolled40ConditionsPost Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSDArmsReconsolidation of traumatic memories
NCT07318181 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Fostering Ukraine's Capacity in the Delivery and Research of Innovative Evidence-based PTSD Treatment

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of LuxembourgRan2026 to 2028Enrolled120ConditionsPost Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSDArmsReconsolidation of Traumatic Memories Protocol, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Paroxetine, Sertraline
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Journal of military, veteran and family health · 2024
    Article
  4. Reflecting onJournal of military, veteran and family health · 2024
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

J SturtFaculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK. jackie.sturt@kcl.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1281-1401
R RogersFaculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK.
C ArmourResearch Centre for Stress, Trauma, and Related Conditions (STARC), School of Psychology, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
D CameronInspire Wellbeing, Lombard Street, Belfast, BT1 1RB, Northern Ireland.
L De RijkFaculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK.
F FiorentinoFaculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK.
T ForbesResearch Centre for Stress, Trauma, and Related Conditions (STARC), School of Psychology, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
C GlenInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
A GrealishFaculty Of Education & Health Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
J KreftMilitary Veterans' Service, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Ashton-Under-Lyne, UK.
I Meye de SouzaFaculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK.
E SpikolResearch Centre for Stress, Trauma, and Related Conditions (STARC), School of Psychology, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
V TzouvaraFaculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK.
N GreenbergInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

Funding

Forces in Mind Trust FiMT18/0613KCL
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs more commonly in military veterans than the general population. Whilst current therapies are effective, up to half of veterans commencing treatment do not complete it. Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories (RTM) protocol is a novel, easy to train, talking therapy with promising findings. We examine the feasibility of undertaking an efficacy trial of RTM in veterans.

methodsA parallel group, single-centre randomised controlled feasibility trial with a post-completion qualitative interview study. Sixty military veterans were randomised 2:1 to RTM (n = 35) or Trauma Focussed Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) (n = 25). We aimed to determine the rate of recruitment and retention, understand reasons for attrition, determine data quality and size of efficacy signal. We explored veterans' perceptions of experiences of joining the trial, the research procedures and therapy, and design improvements for future veteran studies. Military veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD or complex PTSD, and clinically significant symptoms, were recruited between January 2020 and June 2021. Primary outcome was feasibility using pre-determined progression criteria alongside PTSD symptoms, with depression, recovery, and rehabilitation as secondary outcomes. Data were collected at baseline, 6, 12, and 20 weeks. Interviews (n = 15) were conducted after 20 weeks. Both therapies were delivered by trained charity sector provider therapists.

resultsParticipants' mean age was 53 years, the mean baseline PTSD symptoms score assessed by the Post-traumatic Stress Checklist (PCL-5) was 57 (range 0-80). Fifty had complex PTSD and 39 had experienced ≥ 4 traumas. Data were analysed at 20 weeks for feasibility outcomes (n = 60) and mental health outcomes (n = 45). Seven of eight progression criteria were met. The RTM group experienced a mean 18-point reduction on the PCL-5. TFCBT group participants experienced a mean reduction of eight points. Forty-eight percent of the RTM group no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD compared to 16% in the TFCBT group. All veterans reported largely positive experiences of the therapy and research procedures and ways to improve them.

conclusionRTM therapy remains a promising psychological intervention for the treatment of PTSD, including complex PTSD, in military veterans. With specific strengthening, the research protocol is fit for purpose in delivering an efficacy trial.

trial registrationISRCTN registration no 10314773 on 01.10.2019. Full trial protocol: available on request or downloadable at ISRCTN reg. no. 10314773.

Indexed as

Charity online therapyPCL5Post-traumatic stress disorderPTSDTrauma-Focussed CBTVeteran reconsolidation of traumatic memories

Identifiers

PMID37833734
PMCPMC10571284

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.