Decreased Emotional Dysregulation Following Multi-Modal Motion-Assisted Memory Desensitization and Reconsolidation Therapy (3MDR): Identifying Possible Driving Factors in Remediation of Treatment-Resistant PTSD

• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212243
• Publication Date: 2021-11-23T07:55:17Z
• Authors: Emily Tang; Chelsea Jones; Lorraine Smith-Ma...; Matthew R. G. Brown; Eric H. G. J. M. ...; Suzette Brémault-...
• Keywords: Exposure therapy

Multi-modal motion-assisted memory desensitization and reconsolidation therapy (3MDR), an interactive, virtual reality-assisted, exposure-based intervention for PTSD, has shown promising results treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder (TR-PTSD) among military members (MMs) veterans in randomized controlled trials (RCT). Previous research suggested that emotional regulation (ER) dysregulation (ED) may be factors which are correlated with symptom severity maintenance of TR-PTSD. This embedded mixed-methods pilot study (n = 9) sought to explore the impact 3MDR on ER ED MMs veterans. Difficulties Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS-18) data were collected at baseline, prior each session, one week, month, three months postintervention analyzed. Qualitative from sessions, debriefs, follow-up interviews transcribed descriptively Results demonstrated statistically significant decreases DERS-18 scores preintervention timepoint. Qualitatively, participants perceived improvements within specified domains. We describe how 3MDR’s unique novel approach addresses through cognitive–motor stimulation, narration, divergent thinking, reappraisal aversive stimuli, dual-task processing, traumatic memories. More studies needed better understand underlying neurobiological mechanisms by PTSD.