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Cernasov PM, Walsh EC, Nagy GA, Kinard JL, Kelley L, Phillips RD, Pisoni A, Diehl J, Haworth K, West J, Freeman L, Pfister C, Scott M, Daughters SB, Gaylord S, Dichter GS, Smoski MJ. A parallel-arm, randomized trial of Behavioral Activation Therapy for anhedonia versus mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for adults with anhedonia. Behav Res Ther 2024; 182:104620. [PMID: 39213738 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2024.104620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anhedonia, deficits in motivation and pleasure, is a transdiagnostic symptom of psychopathology and negative prognostic marker. METHODS In this randomized, parallel-arm clinical trial, a novel intervention, Behavioral Activation Treatment for Anhedonia (BATA), was compared to an individually administered Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in a transdiagnostic cohort of adults with clinically significant anhedonia (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers NCT02874534 and NCT04036136). Participants received 8-15 individual psychotherapy sessions, once weekly, with either BATA (n = 61) or MBCT (n = 55) and completed repeated self-report assessment of anhedonia and other internalizing symptoms. RESULTS Indicators of treatment feasibility were similar across conditions, though MBCT showed a trend towards greater attrition rates than BATA, with an adjusted odd's ratio of 2.04 [0.88, 4.73]. Treatment effects on the primary clinical endpoint of anhedonia symptoms did not significantly differ, with a 14-week estimated difference on the Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) of -0.20 [-2.25, 1.84] points in BATA compared to MBCT (z = 0.19, p = 0.845, d = 0.05). The expected 14-week change in SHAPS scores across conditions was -7.18 [-8.22, -6.15] points (z = 13.6, p < 0.001, d = 1.69). There were no significant differences in the proportion of participants demonstrating reliable and clinically significant improvements in SHAPS scores, or in the magnitude of internalizing symptom reductions. LIMITATIONS Limitations included a modest sample size, lack of longer-term follow up data, and non-preregistered analytic plan. DISCUSSION There was no evidence to support superior clinical efficacy of BATA over MBCT in a transdiagnostic cohort of adults with elevated anhedonia. Both interventions reduced anhedonia symptoms to a comparable magnitude of other existing treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Cernasov
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Erin C Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gabriela A Nagy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jessica L Kinard
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lisalynn Kelley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Rachel D Phillips
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Angela Pisoni
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joseph Diehl
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kevin Haworth
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jessica West
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Louise Freeman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Courtney Pfister
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - McRae Scott
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stacey B Daughters
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Susan Gaylord
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gabriel S Dichter
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Moria J Smoski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Rosenberg BM, Barnes-Horowitz NM, Zbozinek TD, Craske MG. Reward processes in extinction learning and applications to exposure therapy. J Anxiety Disord 2024; 106:102911. [PMID: 39128178 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2024.102911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are common and highly distressing mental health conditions. Exposure therapy is a gold-standard treatment for anxiety disorders. Mechanisms of Pavlovian fear learning, and particularly fear extinction, are central to exposure therapy. A growing body of evidence suggests an important role of reward processes during Pavlovian fear extinction. Nonetheless, predominant models of exposure therapy do not currently incorporate reward processes. Herein, we present a theoretical model of reward processes in relation to Pavlovian mechanisms of exposure therapy, including a focus on dopaminergic prediction error signaling, coinciding positive emotional experiences (i.e., relief), and unexpected positive outcomes. We then highlight avenues for further research and discuss potential strategies to leverage reward processes to maximize exposure therapy response, such as pre-exposure interventions to increase reward sensitivity or post-exposure rehearsal (e.g., savoring, imaginal recounting strategies) to enhance retrieval and retention of learned associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M Rosenberg
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Nora M Barnes-Horowitz
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Tomislav D Zbozinek
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle G Craske
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Hoffman SN, Stein MB, Taylor CT. The relationship between expressive suppression, therapeutic bond, and treatment outcomes of a positive affect intervention for adults with anxiety and/or depression. Cogn Behav Ther 2024; 53:394-408. [PMID: 38483053 DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2024.2321891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Expressive suppression (ES; reducing emotional expression) is linked with reduced social connectedness in individuals with anxiety or depression. One implication is that people who use ES may have difficulty establishing a bond with their therapist which may impede clinical improvement. We examined this hypothesis in 33 adults with clinically elevated anxiety or depression receiving treatment focused on enhancing positive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. At baseline, participants rated ES for positive and negative emotions during a standardized conversation task designed to generate connectedness. They also rated measures of early (session 3) perceived therapeutic bond and treatment outcomes (i.e. positive affect and social connectedness). ES of positive (r = -.39, p = .018), but not negative (r = .06, p = .747), emotions was negatively associated with therapeutic bond. Therapeutic bond mediated the relationship between greater ES of positive emotions during affiliation and lower post-treatment positive affect, 95% bias-corrected bootstrap confidence interval [-0.021, -0.000], adjusted for pre-treatment positive affect, as well as lower post-treatment social connectedness [-0.397, -0.015]; however, the indirect effect was not significant when accounting for pre-treatment social connectedness (p > .05). ES of positive emotions may be an important factor in the development of therapeutic bond and therefore treatment outcomes for individuals with anxiety or depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha N Hoffman
- Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology SDSU Department of Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Murray B Stein
- Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology SDSU Department of Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
| | - Charles T Taylor
- Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology SDSU Department of Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, USA
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Blanchard J, Shackman A, Smith J, Orth R, Savage C, Didier P, McCarthy J, Bennett M. Blunted ventral striatal reactivity to social reward is associated with more severe motivation and pleasure de ficits in psychosis. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4468839. [PMID: 38947025 PMCID: PMC11213233 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4468839/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Among individuals living with psychotic disorders, social impairment is common, debilitating, and challenging to treat. While the roots of this impairment are undoubtedly complex, converging lines of evidence suggest that social motivation and pleasure (MAP) deficits play a key role. Yet most neuroimaging studies have focused on monetary rewards, precluding decisive inferences. Here we leveraged parallel social and monetary incentive delay fMRI paradigms to test whether blunted reactivity to social incentives in the ventral striatum-a key component of the distributed neural circuit mediating appetitive motivation and hedonic pleasure-is associated with more severe MAP symptoms in a transdiagnostic sample enriched for psychosis. To maximize ecological validity and translational relevance, we capitalized on naturalistic audiovisual clips of an established social partner expressing positive feedback. Although both paradigms robustly engaged the ventral striatum, only reactivity to social incentives was associated with clinician-rated MAP deficits. This association remained significant when controlling for other symptoms, binary diagnostic status, or ventral striatum reactivity to monetary incentives. Follow-up analyses suggested that this association predominantly reflects diminished striatal activation during the receipt of social reward. These observations provide a neurobiologically grounded framework for conceptualizing the social-anhedonia symptoms and social impairments that characterize many individuals living with psychotic disorders and underscore the need to establish targeted intervention strategies.
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Rassaby M, Shakya HB, Fowler JH, Oveis C, Sieber WJ, Jain S, Stein MB, Taylor CT. Application of an egocentric social network approach to examine changes in social connections following treatment for anxiety and depression: A novel measurement tool for clinical trials research? Soc Sci Med 2024; 350:116914. [PMID: 38696938 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The epidemic of loneliness and social isolation has been recognized as a public health crisis warranting the same prioritization as other public health issues today, such as obesity, substance use disorders, and tobacco use. Social disconnection is particularly prevalent and disabling among individuals with anxiety and depression, yet it is inadequately evaluated and addressed in most clinical psychology treatment research. Studies generally employ global measures of perceived connectedness, loneliness, or relationship satisfaction, limiting understanding about elements of one's social network that may change with treatment. This study examined changes in the degree (number of people nominated) and quality of one's social network from pre-to post-treatment using an egocentric social network approach in 59 adults (mean age = 30.8 years, range = 18 to 54) with clinically elevated anxiety or depression who were randomized to a cognitive and behavioral positive valence treatment versus waitlist. Participants (egos) named people in their lives (alters) with whom they discussed important issues or spent free time. For each alter, participants rated how close they felt, how close they thought the alter felt to them, and how frequently they communicated. Linear regressions, which included treatment group as a predictor, revealed no group differences in changes in network degree, perceived alter feelings of closeness, or communication frequency, despite prior findings from this sample indicating larger increases in perceived global connectedness in the treatment group. Unexpectedly, the control group reported a greater increase in perceived closeness to alters. Post-hoc analyses revealed this was explained by the treatment group identifying more distal social ties (e.g., extended family, colleagues, roommates) as alters following treatment - an outcome positively associated with global improvements in connectedness. This proof-of-concept study suggests egocentric social network surveys may provide unique information on treatment-related changes in social functioning. Suggestions are provided for adaptations to facilitate application of social network surveys to mental health treatment research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Rassaby
- San Diego State University/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Sonia Jain
- University of California San Diego, United States
| | - Murray B Stein
- San Diego State University/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, United States; University of California San Diego, United States
| | - Charles T Taylor
- San Diego State University/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, United States; University of California San Diego, United States.
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Hoffman SN, Rassaby MM, Stein MB, Taylor CT. Positive and negative affect change following psychotherapeutic treatment for anxiety-related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2024; 349:358-369. [PMID: 38211753 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety-related disorders feature elevated negative affect (NA), and in some cases, diminished positive affect (PA). It remains unclear how well extant psychotherapies for anxiety-related disorders improve PA versus NA. METHODS We systematically searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, PsychInfo, and Web of Science databases. Records included studies involving (1) patients with a principal or co-principal diagnosis of at least one anxiety-related disorder (i.e., generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic, agoraphobia, health anxiety, specific phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder), and (2) pre- and post-treatment PA and NA scores or a change index between pre- and post-treatment PA and NA scores. Effect sizes were calculated for meta-analyses. RESULTS Fourteen studies with 1001 adults with an anxiety-related disorder were included. Psychotherapeutic interventions included cognitive behavioral, present-centered, and imagery-based approaches. Treatments reduced NA (g = -0.90; 95%CI [-1.19, -0.61]) to a greater extent than they improved PA (g = 0.27; 95%CI [0.05, 0.59]), Z = -5.26, p < .001. The limited number of studies available precluded analyses of the relationship between changes in affect and symptoms. LIMITATIONS Results should be considered with caution given the small number and heterogeneity of included studies. CONCLUSIONS Current psychotherapeutic interventions for anxiety-related disorders may not improve PA and NA to comparable levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha N Hoffman
- San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, 6363 Alvarado Court, Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92120, USA.
| | - Madeleine M Rassaby
- San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, 6363 Alvarado Court, Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92120, USA.
| | - Murray B Stein
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, 9452 Medical Center Drive, 4E-226, La Jolla, CA 921037, USA.
| | - Charles T Taylor
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, 9452 Medical Center Drive, 4E-226, La Jolla, CA 921037, USA.
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