P048 Does Sleep Reduce Intrusive Memories after Analogue Trauma? Recent findings of Experimental Sleep Manipulations using the Trauma Film Paradigm

INTRODUCTION: Intrusive memories are common in the aftermath of trauma, and these can develop into a pervasive, distressing symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Sleep disturbances have also been shown to contribute to later development and maintenance of overall PTSD symptoms. Recent evidence suggests there is a relationship between sleep disturbance and intrusive memories following experimental analogue trauma. However there has been conflicting findings regarding the direction of the effect; whether sleep following analogue trauma results in increased or decreased frequency of later intrusive memories. METHODS: We conducted a narrative review summarising research examining the role of sleep in the development of trauma-related intrusive memories, using the trauma film paradigm. This included recent meta-analyses of experimental studies. RESULTS: While there have been initial conflicting results across a small number of studies, meta-analytic results suggest sleep following exposure to analogue trauma leads to a reduced number of intrusive memories in the following week. DISCUSSION: The relationship between sleep following experimental analogue trauma and reduction in intrusive memory frequency may be due to the role of sleep in the consolidation and integration of traumatic memories into existing autobiographical knowledge. However, more research is needed to investigate the mechanism of action for this relationship. Future studies should attempt to disentangle to what degree consolidation, executive control over spontaneous cognition, or other mechanisms are affected by sleep and contribute to the development of intrusive memories.