Autobiographical memory distortions are a key feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial (N = 43), we evaluated an autobiographical memory flexibility intervention, MemFlex. We aimed to determine whether the mechanism-focused intervention, which aims to improve autobiographical memory processes, may also affect other cognitive predictors of PTSD and potentially reduce PTSD symptoms in Iranian trauma survivors diagnosed with PTSD. Results indicated significant, moderate to large between-groups effect sizes in favor of MemFlex, relative to wait-list control, for the targeted cognitive mechanism of autobiographical memory flexibility and PTSD symptoms. A large, significant effect was also observed on maladaptive posttraumatic cognitions—a strong predictor of PTSD prognosis, which is a key target of high-intensity cognitive therapies for PTSD. Findings support future completion of a scaled-up trial to evaluate treatment efficacy of MemFlex for PTSD to determine whether MemFlex may offer a culturally adaptive, low-cost, low-intensity intervention able to improve cognitive mechanisms of PTSD.

自传记忆扭曲是创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 的一个关键特征。在这个概念验证随机对照试验（N= 43），我们评估了自传式记忆灵活性干预，MemFlex。我们旨在确定旨在改善自传记忆过程的以机制为中心的干预是否也可能影响 PTSD 的其他认知预测因子，并可能减少被诊断为 PTSD 的伊朗创伤幸存者的 PTSD 症状。结果表明，对于自传体记忆灵活性和 PTSD 症状的目标认知机制，相对于等待名单控制，MemFlex 的显着、中到大的组间效应大小。对适应不良的创伤后认知也观察到了巨大而显着的影响 - 创伤后应激障碍预后的强预测因子，这是创伤后应激障碍高强度认知疗法的关键目标。