title: 'I Can't Concentrate': A Feasibility Study with Young Refugees in Sweden on Developing Science-Driven Interventions for Intrusive Memories Related to Trauma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of refugees is the highest ever worldwide. Many have experienced trauma in home countries or on their escape which has mental health sequelae. Intrusive memories comprise distressing scenes of trauma which spring to mind unbidden. Development of novel scalable psychological interventions is needed urgently.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We propose that brief cognitive science-driven interventions should be developed which pinpoint a focal symptom alongside a means to monitor it using behavioural techniques. The aim of the current study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the methodology required to develop such an intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study we recruited 22 refugees (16-25 years), predominantly from Syria and residing in Sweden. Participants were asked to monitor the frequency of intrusive memories of trauma using a daily diary; rate intrusions and concentration; and complete a 1-session behavioural intervention involving Tetris game-play via smartphone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Frequency of intrusive memories was high, and associated with high levels of distress and impaired concentration. Levels of engagement with study procedures were highly promising.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current work opens the way for developing novel cognitive behavioural approaches for traumatized refugees that are mechanistically derived, freely available and internationally scalable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience,Karolinska Institutet,Sweden.
authors.forename: Emily A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience,Karolinska Institutet,Sweden.
authors.forename: Ata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghaderi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience,Karolinska Institutet,Sweden.
authors.forename: Ellinor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience,Karolinska Institutet,Sweden.
authors.forename: Klara Olofsdotter
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Lauri
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience,Karolinska Institutet,Sweden.
authors.forename: Olivia M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Kukacka
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience,Karolinska Institutet,Sweden.
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mamish
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience,Karolinska Institutet,Sweden.
authors.forename: Ella L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: James
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience,Karolinska Institutet,Sweden.
authors.forename: Renée M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Visser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008603:Mental Health; D011939:Mental Recall; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Refugees; concentration; intrusive memories; psychological trauma