Eye movements and memory processes to reduce post‑traumatic intrusive symptoms

Theories of Working Memory and Consolidation/RECOnsolidation in the Process of Resorption of Certain Post-traumatic Symptoms: Interventional, Randomized Single-center Study

This trial tests whether self‑administered alternating eye movements, sounds, or taps (EMDR-style stimulation) can make intrusive memories less vivid and upsetting for adults with acute stress or PTSD.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 150 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Lorraine (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy)
• Trial ID: NCT06469333 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The intervention uses alternating bilateral stimulations—visual (rapid eye movements), auditory (alternating tones) or tactile (tapping)—that participants self‑administer while focusing on intrusive memories. It is grounded in working memory and memory consolidation/reconsolidation theories that predict such stimulation reduces the vividness and emotional charge of intrusions. Eligible participants are French‑speaking adults aged 18–65 with moderate to severe acute stress or PTSD symptoms who have not yet started psychotherapy and who have adequate vision, hearing, tactile perception and a webcam‑equipped computer. Outcomes include changes in intrusion vividness and emotionality and symptom scale scores (for example IES‑R and K6) measured before and after the intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are French‑speaking adults 18–65 with moderate to high psychological distress or acute/post‑traumatic stress symptoms who have not begun psychotherapy and who can perceive visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli and use a webcam‑equipped computer.

Not a fit: People under legal guardianship or with major cognitive, sensory, or autonomy impairments, those already in psychotherapy, or those without a functioning webcam/computer may be excluded and are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could give patients a low‑cost, self‑administered method to lessen the intensity and distress of intrusive memories.

How similar studies have performed: Numerous trials have shown that EMDR and alternating bilateral stimulation can reduce the vividness and emotionality of intrusive memories, while self‑administered ABS and precise timing with consolidation/reconsolidation processes remain less extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Present symptoms of acute stress (score between 22 and 35 on the Impact Event Scale-Revised, IES-R) and/or PTSD (higher score or equal to 36 on the IES-R), but at least present moderate to high psychological distress (score equal to or greater than 8 on the Kessler Abbreviated Psychological Distress Scale, K6);
* Being in need of psychotherapeutic follow-up but not having started it yet;
* Be aged between 18 and 65 years inclusive;
* Speak and write French (be able to understand information and complete questionnaires independently);
* Have good vision (being able to follow the movement of a white point on a screen);
* Have good hearing and tactile abilities (being able to perceive auditory and tactile tones);
* Have a computer equipped with a webcam;
* Be informed and sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Be an adult protected under guardianship or curatorship;
* Be a person subject to a judicial safeguard measure;
* Present a lack of autonomy implying an impossibility in terms of administering questionnaires and filling out questionnaires;
* Have a vision defect implying an impossibility of visual tracking of a white dot;
* Present a hearing defect and/or tactile abilities implying an impossibility of perception;
* Have a neurological condition constituting measurement biases (muscular dysfunctions, perceptual dysfunctions, etc.);
* Suffer from psychotraumatic and dissociative disorders of complex type (respectively evaluated with regard to the anamestistic data of the patients and with a score greater than 25 on the dissociative experiences scale (Dissociative Experiences Scale, DES);
* Do not present psychological distress (score less than 8 on the Kessler Abbreviated Psychological Distress Scale, K6) ;
* Have a drug or alcohol dependence;
* Benefit from ongoing psychotherapeutic monitoring;
* Have already benefited from psychotherapeutic follow-up or have participated in studies in the last 6 months, both involving EMDR therapy.

Where this trial is running

Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy

• Umr U1319 Inspiire — Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Christine Rotonda

Conditions Working Memory; Consolidation/Recconsolidation Memory; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing; Alterning Bilateral Stimulation; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Intrusive Memories; Vividness; Emotivity