Efficacy of online Memory Specificity Training in adults with a history of depression, using a multiple baseline across participants design

Background and objectives Memory Specificity Training (MeST), a group training protocol, is effective in improving autobiographical memory specificity (AMS), and in so doing, reducing emotional disorder symptoms amongst clinical groups. We examined MeST's effectiveness when the core component (memory specificity trials) is offered online and individually (c-MeST). Methods A multiple-baseline across-participants design with a randomization-to-baseline length (14 to 33 days) was used. Participants were twenty adults (16 female; Mage = 50, SD = 12) experiencing reduced AMS, at least one lifetime depressive episode and who currently reported at least minimal depressive symptoms. During baseline, the training phase (nine sessions across 17 days) and a three-month follow-up assessment, AMS, depressive symptoms and related processes were measured. Results AMS improved significantly by three months follow-up. Session-to-session scores indicated that AMS improved most from baseline to the first online session, with no further improvement thereafter. In contrast to studies with clinical participants, no significant change in symptoms or secondary processes such as rumination was found. Conclusions Translating MeST into an online, individual version is a feasible, low-cost intervention for reduced AMS. Future research should examine c-MeST's potential for preventing increases in symptoms in at-risk samples with longer follow-ups as well as its potential for reducing symptoms in clinical groups.