A preliminary investigation of MEmory Specificity Training (MEST) embedded in a day treatment for refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Poor memory specificity might play a negative role in treatment effectiveness for refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous studies have shown that memory specificity can be improved with MEmory Specificity Training (MEST). This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of MEST in a clinical setting for refugees with PTSD. Methods: MEST was embedded in the first phase of a day treatment. 8 patients participated and 7 completed all measures. Patients’ memory specificity, PTSD, and comorbid complaints were assessed. They were compared on comorbid complaints to patients (n = 7) who had followed the day treatment before MEST implementation. Results: Memory specificity improved for some patients but not for others, PTSD did not improve following MEST. Both groups did not improve on comorbid complaints. Specifically, patients in day treatment with MEST remained unchanged; patients in typical day treatment often remained unchanged, but sometimes deteriorated. Limitations: Limitations were a small sample, an inability to follow the MEST protocol, and the absence of an experimental control group. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence shows that MEST seemed not feasible in this setting. However, the present study provides insights on how to adapt the protocol. Furthermore, MEST was not effective on a group level in improving memory specificity, PTSD, and comorbid complaints. However, on an individual level, memory specificity improved for more than half of patients that followed MEST, which is promising. Future research should test the adapted protocol in a controlled study with a larger sample.