Trauma in healthcare staff: A multiple methods study using quantitative and qualitative lived experience of participants in a randomised controlled trial of a brief digital imagery-competing task intervention for intrusive memories

作者：Priya Patel, Susan Brown, Alfred Markham, Amy Beckenstrom, Maja Friedemann, Jonathan Kingslake, Julie Highfield, Charlotte Summers, Emily A Holmes, Richard Morriss · 发表于：medRxiv · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.64898/2026.03.02.26347416 · 研究领域：Digital Mental Health Interventions、Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research、Workplace Violence and Bullying

Structured Abstract Objective This mixed-methods study investigated the lived-experience perspectives of receiving a novel, brief digital mental health intervention after psychological trauma. The online gamified imagery-competing task intervention (ICTI) involves one researcher-guided session followed by self-use. Tested in two randomised controlled trials (GAINS-01; GAINS-02), ICTI led to fewer intrusive memories at week-4, with the reduction sustained over 24 weeks, alongside reductions in post-traumatic stress. Here, we contrasted user experiences of ICTI with an Active Control (AC; music-listening task), and explored longer-term impact in qualitative interviews to contextualise GAINS-02 findings. Methods and Analysis The GAINS-02 trial randomised healthcare staff experiencing intrusive memories after work-related trauma to ICTI (N=40), AC (N=39), or treatment-as-usual (TAU; N=20). Expectancy was assessed before the researcher-guided session (Day 0), acceptability at week-4, and usage tracked for 24-weeks. Semi-structured interviews (N=27) were conducted in ICTI and AC arms only (15 at week-4; 12 during 12-24-weeks). Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Prior to use, many trial participants did not think the intervention would work, favouring AC over ICTI. However, after completing the tasks, participants found ICTI more acceptable and relevant to intrusive memories than AC. After the one guided session, median ICTI usage the next four weeks...