The Efficacy of Therapeutic Factors Associated with Memory Reconsolidation in Trauma Therapy
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Authors
Pellatt, Sean
Issue Date
2025-12-08
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
memory reconsolidation , prediction error , taxing working memory , trauma therapy , fear-based memory , emotional schemas
Alternative Title
Abstract
In this capstone, I examine the efficacy of therapeutic factors from memory reconsolidation (MR) research that can be applied in trauma therapy. In this context, trauma therapy includes only the treatment of memories affectively encoded in fear. Furthermore, this capstone focuses on behavioural interventions as opposed to drug interventions and on clinical trials in human populations as opposed to animal studies. Primary studies are synthesized and analyzed to explore the efficacy of specific therapeutic factors that induce MR through behavioural intervention. I elaborate upon an emergent understanding of how to theoretically access MR in trauma therapy for fear-based memories by exploring four inductive themes from this topic. Firstly, MR itself is briefly introduced. This introduction is followed by an inductive thematic analysis, which describes prediction error, taxing working memory, emotional schemas, and timing considerations as the four therapeutic factors that can theoretically elicit MR, as measured by symptom reduction, in clients who are experiencing trauma symptoms connected to fear-based memories.