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Woelk M, Hagenaars MA, Raes F, Vervliet B, Krans J. Imagery rescripting and extinction: Effects on US expectancy, US revaluation, and the generalization of fear reduction. Behav Res Ther 2024; 178:104544. [PMID: 38704975 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2024.104544] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Exposure therapy consists of exposing patients to their fears and thereby diminishing their harm expectancies (i.e., extinction or expectancy learning). Although effective for many anxiety patients, its long-term success depends on the generalization of these harm expectancies to other stimuli. However, research shows that this generalization of extinction is limited. Besides decreasing harm expectancies, fear reduction may also be achieved by changing the meaning of an aversive memory representation (US revaluation). Imagery rescripting (ImRs) may be more successful in generalizing fear reduction because it allegedly works through US revaluation. The current experiment aimed to test working mechanisms for ImRs and extinction (revaluation and expectancy learning, respectively), and to examine generalization of fear reduction. In a fear conditioning paradigm, 113 healthy participants watched an aversive film clip that was used as the US. The manipulation consisted of imagining a script with a positive ending to the film clip (ImRs-only), extinction (extinction-only), or both (ImRs + extinction). Results showed enhanced US revaluation in ImRs + extinction. US expectancy decreased more strongly in the extinction conditions. Generalization of fear reduction was found in all conditions. Our results suggest different working mechanisms for ImRs and exposure. Future research should replicate this in (sub)clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Woelk
- Research Unit Behaviour, Health, and Psychopathology, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 box 3712, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584, CS Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - M A Hagenaars
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584, CS Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - F Raes
- Research Unit Behaviour, Health, and Psychopathology, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 box 3712, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - B Vervliet
- Research Unit Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 box 3717, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - J Krans
- Research Unit Behaviour, Health, and Psychopathology, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102 box 3712, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; Pro Persona Overwaal Centre for Anxiety, OCD, and PTSD, Pastoor van Laakstraat 48, 6663, CB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525, GD Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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2
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Mitchell BJ, Coifman KG, Olatunji BO. Is disgust more resistant to extinction than fear? A meta-analytic review of laboratory paradigms. Behav Res Ther 2024; 174:104479. [PMID: 38301293 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2024.104479] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Disgust can be acquired via evaluative conditioning; a process by which a neutral stimulus (conditioned stimulus; CS) comes to be evaluated as disgusting due to its pairing with an inherently disgusting stimulus (unconditioned stimulus; US). Research has shown that conditioned disgust responses are resistant to extinction which may have implications for disorders (i.e., contamination-based obsessive-compulsive disorder, specific phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder) in which heightened disgust has been implicated. Importantly, extinction is the primary mechanism by which exposure therapies are thought to achieve symptom reduction for these disorders. Exposure therapies were originally modeled on fear extinction, whereas disgust extinction was largely overlooked until recently. Accordingly, differences in the degree to which learned disgust and fear can be attenuated via extinction learning remains unclear. The present investigation was a meta-analysis directly comparing the degree of extinction of conditioned disgust (n = 14) and conditioned fear (n = 14) in laboratory paradigms. Extinction was operationalized as the standardized mean difference (SMD) in evaluative ratings between the CS+ (the CS paired with the US) and CS- (the unpaired CS) after extinction training. Results of a subgroup analysis indicated that disgust (SMD = 0.52) was significantly more resistant to extinction than fear (SMD = 0.37). Additionally, a series of meta-regression analyses indicated that extinction was not influenced by important study characteristics (e.g., sex, age, number of conditioning and extinction trials). The findings suggest that extinction-based approaches may be less effective at attenuating learned disgust and research is needed to better optimize treatments for disgust-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Mitchell
- Department of Psychological Science, Kent State University, l, Kent, OH, United States.
| | - Karin G Coifman
- Department of Psychological Science, Kent State University, l, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Bunmi O Olatunji
- Psychological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
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3
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Bustamante J, Soto M, Miguez G, Quezada-Scholz VE, Angulo R, Laborda MA. Extinction in multiple contexts reduces the return of extinguished responses: A multilevel meta-analysis. Learn Behav 2023:10.3758/s13420-023-00609-w. [PMID: 38010486 DOI: 10.3758/s13420-023-00609-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Extinguished responses have been shown to reappear under several circumstances, and this reappearance is considered to model behaviors such as relapse after exposure therapy. Conducting extinction in multiple contexts has been explored as a technique to decrease the recovery of extinguished responses. The present meta-analysis aimed to examine whether extinction in multiple contexts can consistently reduce the recovery of extinguished responses. After searching in several databases, experiments were included in the analysis if they presented extinction in multiple contexts, an experimental design, and an adequate statistical report. Cohen's d was obtained for each critical comparison and weighted to obtain the sample's average weighted effect size. Analyses were then performed using a multilevel meta-analytic approach. Twenty-five studies were included, with a total sample of 37 experiments or critical comparisons. The analyses showed a large effect size for the sample, moderated by the length of conditioned stimulus exposure, type of experimental subject, and type of recovery. The robust effect of extinction in multiple contexts on relapse should encourage clinicians to consider extinction in multiple contexts as a useful technique in therapy and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Bustamante
- Institute of Social Sciences, Universidad de O'Higgins, Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 611, Rancagua, Chile
| | - Marcela Soto
- School of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Miguez
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de Chile, Av. Ignacio Carrera Pinto 1045, Ñuñoa, 7800284, Santiago, Chile
| | - Vanetza E Quezada-Scholz
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de Chile, Av. Ignacio Carrera Pinto 1045, Ñuñoa, 7800284, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rocío Angulo
- Institute of Social Sciences, Universidad de O'Higgins, Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 611, Rancagua, Chile
| | - Mario A Laborda
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de Chile, Av. Ignacio Carrera Pinto 1045, Ñuñoa, 7800284, Santiago, Chile.
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Waters AM, Ryan KM, Luck CC, Craske MG, Lipp OV. Approximating exposure therapy in the lab: Replacing the CS+ with a similar versus a different stimulus and including additional stimuli resembling the CS+ during extinction. Behav Res Ther 2023; 167:104357. [PMID: 37364363 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2023.104357] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that extinction training including the conditional stimulus (CS+) and stimuli that are similar to the CS + enhances extinction retention and generalisation to novel stimuli. However, in a clinical setting, the CS+ is rarely available for use during exposure therapy. The aim of the present study was to determine if replacing the CS+ with a similar versus different stimulus, and including other similar stimuli during extinction, could reduce fear at test on par with extinction using the original CS+ with and without other similar stimuli. In an experiment conducted in a single session, participants completed a habituation phase followed by an acquisition phase using two dog images presented with (CS+) and without (CS-) an acoustic unconditional stimulus (US). Participants were randomly allocated to four extinction conditions: similar CS + dog with novel dog images (Similar replacement extinction condition); different CS + dog with novel dog images (Different replacement extinction condition); original CS + dog with novel dog images (Multiple extinction control condition); and original CS + without novel dog images (Standard extinction control condition). All participants completed a test phase with the original CSs followed by a generalisation test with another two novel dog images. All groups acquired, and then extinguished differential skin conductance responses (SCRs) with no differences observed between groups. Whereas the Similar replacement extinction group and the Multiple and Standard extinction control groups did not exhibit significant differential SCRs when re-exposed to the original CS + relative to the CS- at test, differential responding to the CSs was significant at test in the Different replacement extinction group. There were no significant differences between groups in SCRs to the two novel dog images during the generalisation phase and in between-phase subjective ratings. Findings suggest that replacement stimuli used during extinction should be as similar as possible to the CS + to reduce physiological arousal to the original CS+.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michelle G Craske
- Department of Psychology & Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, United States
| | - Ottmar V Lipp
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
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Endhoven B, De Cort K, Matthijssen SJMA, de Jongh A, van Minnen A, Duits P, Schruers KRJ, van Dis EAM, Krypotos AM, Gerritsen L, Engelhard IM. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy or supportive counseling prior to exposure therapy in patients with panic disorder: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial (IMPROVE). BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:157. [PMID: 36918861 PMCID: PMC10011792 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04320-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure-based therapy is the treatment of choice for anxiety disorders, but many patients do not benefit sufficiently from it. Distressing images of threat related to the future or past may maintain the anxiety symptomatology or impede exposure therapy. An intervention that targets threat-related imagery is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. The main goal of this multicenter randomized controlled trial is to investigate whether EMDR therapy plus exposure therapy, relative to supportive counseling plus exposure therapy, improves treatment efficacy, tolerability, and adherence in patients with panic disorder. In addition, we will examine potential predictors of optimal treatment allocation, mechanisms of change as well as the long term effects of treatment. Finally, we will assess cost-effectiveness. METHODS A multicenter randomized controlled trial mixed design will be conducted. Participants will be 50 patients, aged ≥ 18, diagnosed with a panic disorder. They will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: EMDR therapy (i.e., flashforward strategy) or supportive counseling (each consisting of four weekly sessions of 90 min each) prior to exposure therapy (consisting of eight weekly sessions of 90 min each). Assessments will be made pre-treatment (T1), between-treatments (T2), post-treatment (T3), one month post-treatment (FU1) and six months post-treatment (FU2) by an assessor blind to treatment condition. The primary outcome measure is severity of panic-related symptoms. Secondary outcome measures are: tolerability of exposure therapy (initial avoidance, willingness to start exposure therapy, considered drop-out; no-show and drop-out), related symptomatology (generalized anxiety, depression), and functional impairment. DISCUSSION The primary goals of this research are to compare the efficacy, tolerability, and adherence of EMDR therapy plus exposure therapy and supportive counseling plus exposure therapy and to identify predictors, moderators, and mediators for treatment success. This multi-center research aims to make a significant contribution to our understanding as to how treatment for patients with anxiety disorders can be optimized, and elucidate who can benefit most from this novel approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN-ISRCTN29668369: Improving anxiety treatment by modifying emotional memories before real-life exposure. Registered 27 June 2022-retrospectively registered. ISRCTN-ISRCTN29668369.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Endhoven
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Nieuwe, Houtenseweg 12, 3524 SH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Klara De Cort
- Academic Anxiety Center, Mondriaan/PsyQ, Oranjeplein 10, 6624 KD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Suzy J M A Matthijssen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Nieuwe, Houtenseweg 12, 3524 SH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ad de Jongh
- PSYTREC, Professor Bronkhorstlaan 2, 3723 MB, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam), Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081 LA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Agnes van Minnen
- PSYTREC, Professor Bronkhorstlaan 2, 3723 MB, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, PO Box 9104, 6500HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Puck Duits
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Nieuwe, Houtenseweg 12, 3524 SH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Koen R J Schruers
- Academic Anxiety Center, Mondriaan/PsyQ, Oranjeplein 10, 6624 KD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Research Group Health Psychology, PO Box 3726, 3000, Leuven, KU, Belgium
| | - Eva A M van Dis
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Angelos M Krypotos
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Research Group Health Psychology, PO Box 3726, 3000, Leuven, KU, Belgium
| | - Lotte Gerritsen
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Iris M Engelhard
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Nieuwe, Houtenseweg 12, 3524 SH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Reduction of costly safety behaviors after extinction with a generalization stimulus is determined by individual differences in generalization rules. Behav Res Ther 2023; 160:104233. [PMID: 36450199 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Exposure-based treatment involves repeated presentation of feared stimuli or situations in the absence of perceived threat (i.e., extinction learning). However, the stimulus or situation of fear acquisition (CS+) is highly unlikely to be replicated and presented during treatment. Thereby, stimuli that resemble the CS+ (generalization stimuli; GSs) are typically presented. Preliminary evidence suggests that depending on how one generalizes fear (i.e., different generalization rules), presenting the same GS in extinction leads to differential effectiveness of extinction learning. The current study aimed to extend this finding to safety behaviors. After differential fear and avoidance conditioning, participants exhibited discrete generalization gradients that were consistent with their reported generalization rules (Similarity vs Linear). The Linear group showed stronger safety behaviors to a selected GS compared to the Similarity group, presumably due to higher threat expectancy. After extinction learning to this GS, the Linear group exhibited stronger reduction in safety behaviors generalization compared to the Similarity group. The results show that identifying distinct generalization rules allows one to predict expectancy violation to the extinction stimulus, in addition to corroborating the idea that strongly violating threat expectancy leads to better extinction learning and its generalization. With regard to clinical implications, identifying one's generalization rule (e.g., threat beliefs) help designing exposure sessions that evoke strong expectancy violation, enhancing the reduction in the generalization of maladaptive safety behaviors.
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7
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Dunsmoor JE, Cisler JM, Fonzo GA, Creech SK, Nemeroff CB. Laboratory models of post-traumatic stress disorder: The elusive bridge to translation. Neuron 2022; 110:1754-1776. [PMID: 35325617 PMCID: PMC9167267 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental illness composed of a heterogeneous collection of symptom clusters. The unique nature of PTSD as arising from a precipitating traumatic event helps simplify cross-species translational research modeling the neurobehavioral effects of stress and fear. However, the neurobiological progress on these complex neural circuits informed by animal models has yet to produce novel, evidence-based clinical treatment for PTSD. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of popular laboratory models of PTSD and provide concrete ideas for improving the validity and clinical translational value of basic research efforts in humans. We detail modifications to simplified animal paradigms to account for myriad cognitive factors affected in PTSD, which may contribute to abnormalities in regulating fear. We further describe new avenues for integrating different areas of psychological research underserved by animal models of PTSD. This includes incorporating emerging trends in the cognitive neuroscience of episodic memory, emotion regulation, social-emotional processes, and PTSD subtyping to provide a more comprehensive recapitulation of the human experience to trauma in laboratory research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph E Dunsmoor
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA; Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA.
| | - Josh M Cisler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Gregory A Fonzo
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Suzannah K Creech
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Charles B Nemeroff
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA.
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8
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Craske M, Treanor M, Zbozinek T, Vervliet B. Optimizing exposure therapy with an inhibitory retrieval approach and the OptEx Nexus. Behav Res Ther 2022; 152:104069. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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9
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Wang J, Wang Y, Liao M, Zou Y, Lei Y, Zhu Y. Conditioned generalisation in generalised anxiety disorder: the role of concurrent perceptual and conceptual cues. Cogn Emot 2021; 35:1516-1526. [PMID: 34602017 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2021.1982677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Previous research in extinction indicates no difference in US expectancies for aversive and non-aversive unconditioned stimuli (USs). In this study, we bridged these topics by examining how concurrent perceptual and conceptual cues influence conditioned generalisation of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) patients by using non-aversive USs. The study included two consecutive phases: acquisition and generalisation. In the acquisition phase, we used blue and purple images as the perceptually conditioned stimuli, images of animals and household items as the conceptually conditioned stimuli, and non-aversive images as unconditioned stimuli (US). In the generalisation phase, we used images containing both conceptual and perceptual cues (e.g. blue animals) as the generalisation stimuli. Participants rated the US expectancy for all images. We found that compared with the control group, the patients exhibited generalisation in response to stimuli that included conditional conceptual cues. These results reveal novel evidence of generalisation in GAD and may have implications for considering the concept-based information in extinction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxia Wang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.,School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.,Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Yizhen Wang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Meiling Liao
- Department of Applied Psychology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yefeng Zou
- Fuzhou Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Lei
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxi Zhu
- School of Management, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
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10
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Sookman D, Phillips KA, Anholt GE, Bhar S, Bream V, Challacombe FL, Coughtrey A, Craske MG, Foa E, Gagné JP, Huppert JD, Jacobi D, Lovell K, McLean CP, Neziroglu F, Pedley R, Perrin S, Pinto A, Pollard CA, Radomsky AS, Riemann BC, Shafran R, Simos G, Söchting I, Summerfeldt LJ, Szymanski J, Treanor M, Van Noppen B, van Oppen P, Whittal M, Williams MT, Williams T, Yadin E, Veale D. Knowledge and competency standards for specialized cognitive behavior therapy for adult obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Res 2021; 303:113752. [PMID: 34273818 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a leading cause of disability world-wide (World Health Organization, 2008). Treatment of OCD is a specialized field whose aim is recovery from illness for as many patients as possible. The evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment for OCD is specialized cognitive behavior therapy (CBT, NICE, 2005, Koran and Simpson, 2013). However, these treatments are not accessible to many sufferers around the world. Currently available guidelines for care are deemed to be essential but insufficient because of highly variable clinician knowledge and competencies specific to OCD. The phase two mandate of the 14 nation International OCD Accreditation Task Force (ATF) created by the Canadian Institute for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders is development of knowledge and competency standards for specialized treatments for OCD through the lifespan deemed by experts to be foundational to transformative change in this field. This paper presents knowledge and competency standards for specialized CBT for adult OCD developed to inform, advance, and offer a model for clinical practice and training for OCD. During upcoming ATF phases three and four criteria and processes for training in specialized treatments for OCD through the lifespan for certification (individuals) and accreditation (sites) will be developed based on the ATF standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Sookman
- Department of Psychology, McGill University Health Center, 1025 Pine Ave W, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1A1, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 845 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0G4, Canada.
| | - Katharine A Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, United States.
| | - Gideon E Anholt
- Department of Psychology, Marcus Family Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, P.O.B. 653 Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel.
| | - Sunil Bhar
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, 1 John St, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia.
| | - Victoria Bream
- Oxford Health Specialist Psychological Interventions Clinic and Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
| | - Fiona L Challacombe
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
| | - Anna Coughtrey
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London WC1N 3JH, United Kingdom; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford St, Holborn, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.
| | - Michelle G Craske
- Anxiety and Depression Research Center, Depression Grant Challenge, Innovative Treatment Network, Staglin Family Music Center for Behavioral and Brain Health, UCLA Department of Psychology and Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Box 951563, 1285 Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| | - Edna Foa
- Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, University of Pennsylvania Perelman SOM, 3535 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
| | - Jean-Philippe Gagné
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St, West, Montreal, Quebec H4B 1R6, Canada.
| | - Jonathan D Huppert
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem, 91905, Israel.
| | - David Jacobi
- Rogers Behavioral Health, 34700 Valley Road, Oconomowoc, WI, 53066, United States.
| | - Karina Lovell
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom; Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
| | - Carmen P McLean
- National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division, VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, 795 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA, 94305, United States.
| | - Fugen Neziroglu
- Bio-Behavioral Institute, 935 Northern Boulevard, Suite 102, Great Neck, NY, 11021, United States.
| | - Rebecca Pedley
- Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
| | - Sean Perrin
- Department of Psychology, Lund University, Box 213, 22100, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Anthony Pinto
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Zucker Hillside Hospital - Northwell Health, 265-16 74th Avenue, Glen Oaks, NY, 11004, United States.
| | - C Alec Pollard
- Center for OCD and Anxiety-Related Disorders, Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute, 1129 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63110, United States; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, United States.
| | - Adam S Radomsky
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St, West, Montreal, Quebec H4B 1R6, Canada.
| | - Bradley C Riemann
- 34700 Valley Road, Rogers Behavioral Health, Oconomowoc, WI, 53066, United States.
| | - Roz Shafran
- Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Hospital Institute of Child Health, Holborn, London, WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom.
| | - Gregoris Simos
- Department of Educational and Social Policy, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Street, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Ingrid Söchting
- Departments of Psychology, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
| | - Laura J Summerfeldt
- Department of Psychology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, K9L 0G2 Ontario, Canada.
| | - Jeff Szymanski
- International OCD Foundation, 18 Tremont Street, #308, Boston MA, 02108, United States.
| | - Michael Treanor
- Anxiety and Depression Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951563, 1285 Franz Hall, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
| | - Barbara Van Noppen
- Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, OCD Southern California, 2514 Jamacha Road Ste, 502-35 El Cajon, CA, 92019, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street, Suite 2200, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, United States.
| | - Patricia van Oppen
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute - Mental Health, Netherlands; GGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Netherlands.
| | - Maureen Whittal
- Vancouver CBT Centre, 302-1765 W8th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J5C6, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Monnica T Williams
- School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean-Jacques Lussier Pvt, Ottawa, K1N 6N5, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Timothy Williams
- Department of Psychology, University of Reading, PO Box 217, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6AH, United Kingdom.
| | - Elna Yadin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
| | - David Veale
- South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust & King's College London, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8 AZ, United Kingdom.
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11
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Straud CL, Blount TH, Foa EB, Brown LA, McLean CP, McGeary CA, Koch LM, Schobitz RP, Peterson AL. Intensive Outpatient Program Using Prolonged Exposure for Combat-Related PTSD: A Case Study. COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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12
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Waters AM, Ryan KM, Luck CC, Craske MG, Lipp OV. The effects of presenting additional stimuli resembling the CS+ during extinction on extinction retention and generalisation to novel stimuli. Behav Res Ther 2021; 144:103921. [PMID: 34214823 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2021.103921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that extinction training including the conditional stimulus (CS+) and stimuli similar to the CS + enhances extinction retention and generalisation to novel stimuli. The aim of the present study was to confirm that these effects are specific to presenting stimuli similar to the CS+ during extinction and not merely an effect of additional trials or additional stimuli unrelated to the CS+. In an experiment conducted in a single session on the same day, participants (134 adults; 70.7% female; 17-40 years of age, M = 20.04, SD = 4.36) completed a habituation phase followed by an acquisition phase using dog images presented with (CS+) and without (CS-) a dog growl paired with a scream unconditional stimulus (US). Participants were randomly allocated to four extinction conditions: Multiple exemplar extinction comprising the CSs and two novel dog images similar to the CS+; Standard extinction control matched for the number of CS+ and CS- presentations; Extended extinction control matched for the total number extinction trials, and Other stimuli extinction control comprising the CSs and two novel stimuli unrelated to the CS+. All participants completed an extinction test with the original CSs followed by a generalisation test with two novel dog images. Multiple, Standard and Other stimuli extinction groups exhibited larger skin conductance responses (SCRs) during extinction to the CSs compared to the Extended extinction group. SCRs to the additional dog images in the Multiple group were larger than SCRs to the additional CSs in the Extended group and the novel images in the Other stimuli group. There were no group differences in responses to the CSs during extinction test. Unlike the other groups, SCRs to the first presentation of the novel generalisation dogs did not differ from those to the last CS trials in extinction in the Multiple group. However, this group difference did not persist beyond the initial generalisation trial. Finally, the Multiple, Extended, and Other stimuli groups exhibited more negative CS evaluations after extinction, extinction test, and generalisation test than the Standard extinction group. The results suggest that extinction with the original CSs and additional stimuli resembling the CS + elevated physiological responses during extinction and reduced physiological responses to novel stimuli similar to the CSs. Further studies are needed including clinical samples and trial-by-trial evaluations of the stimuli presented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michelle G Craske
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
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13
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Influence of Perceptual and Conceptual Information on Fear Generalization: A Behavioral and Event-Related Potential Study. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2021; 21:1054-1065. [PMID: 34021495 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-021-00912-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Learned fear can be generalized through both perceptual and conceptual information. This study investigated how perceptual and conceptual similarities influence this generalization process. Twenty-three healthy volunteers completed a fear-generalization test as brain activity was recorded in the form of event-related potentials (ERPs). Participants were exposed to a de novo fear acquisition paradigm with four categories of conditioned stimuli (CS): two conceptual cues (animals and furniture); and two perceptual cues (blue and purple shapes). Animals (C+) and purple shapes (P+) were paired with the unconditioned stimulus (US), whereas furniture (C-) and blue shapes (P-) never were. The generalized stimuli were thus blue animals (C+P+, determined danger), blue furniture (C-P+, perceptual danger), purple animals (C+P-, conceptual danger), and purple furniture (C-P-, determined safe). We found that perceptual cues elicited larger fear responses and shorter reaction times than did conceptual cues during fear acquisition. This suggests that a perceptually related pathway might evoke greater fear than a conceptually based route. During generalization, participants were more afraid of C+ exemplars than of C- exemplars. Furthermore, C+ trials elicited greater N400 amplitudes. Thus, participants appear able to use conceptually based cues to infer the value of the current stimuli. Additionally, compared with C+ exemplars, we found an enhanced late positive potential effect in response to C- exemplars, which seems to reflect a late inhibitory process and might index safety learning. These findings may offer new insights into the pathological mechanism of anxiety disorders.
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Hagedorn B, Wolf OT, Merz CJ. Stimulus-Based Extinction Generalization: Neural Correlates and Modulation by Cortisol. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 24:354-365. [PMID: 33196833 PMCID: PMC8059492 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaa085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While healthy individuals and patients with anxiety disorders easily generalize fear responses, extinction learning is more stimulus specific. Treatments aiming to generalize extinction learning are urgently needed, since they comprise the potential to overcome stimulus specificity and reduce relapses, particularly in the face of stressful events. METHODS In the current 3-day functional magnetic resonance imaging fear conditioning paradigm, we aimed to create a generalized extinction memory trace in 60 healthy men and women by presenting multiple sizes of 1 conditioned stimulus during extinction training (CS+G; generalized), whereas the other conditioned stimulus was solely presented in its original size (CS+N; nongeneralized). Recall was tested on the third day after pharmacological administration of either the stress hormone cortisol or placebo. RESULTS After successful fear acquisition, prolonged activation of the amygdala and insula and deactivation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex for CS+G compared with CS+N during extinction learning indicated sustained fear to the generalization stimuli. In line with our hypotheses, reduced amygdala activation was observed after extinction generalization on the third day in the contrast CS+G minus CS+N, possibly reflecting an attenuated return of fear. Cortisol administration before recall, however, blocked this effect. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the findings show that extinction generalization was associated with decreased activation of the fear network during recall after prolonged activation of the fear network during extinction learning. However, the generalization of the extinction memory did not counteract the detrimental effects of stress hormones on recall. Thus, stimulus-based extinction generalization may not be sufficient to reduce relapses after stressful experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Hagedorn
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Oliver T Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christian J Merz
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
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15
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Wong AHK, Glück VM, Boschet JM, Engelke P. Generalization of extinction with a generalization stimulus is determined by learnt threat beliefs. Behav Res Ther 2020; 135:103755. [PMID: 33152614 PMCID: PMC7581402 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2020.103755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Expectancy violation refers to the mismatch between an expected and the actual outcome. Maximizing expectancy violation is crucial for exposure-based treatment. Since the original stimulus of fear acquisition (CS+) is rarely available, stimuli that resemble the CS+ (generalization stimuli; GSs) are presented during treatment. A given GS may evoke either strong or weak generalized fear depending on an individual's threat beliefs. Presenting this GS in extinction would then evoke different levels of expectancy violation, which determines the strength of the subsequent generalization of extinction to other stimuli, including the CS+. After differential fear conditioning, participants exhibited discrete generalization gradients depending on their inferred relational rules (Linear vs Similarity). Crucially, the Linear group showed strong generalized fear to the GS used in extinction. This strong expectancy violation led to enhanced extinction learning and subsequently to strong generalization of extinction as characterized by a flat generalization gradient, and reduced conditioned fear to the CS+. In contrast, the Similarity group showed weak generalized fear to the same GS in extinction, and limited generalization of extinction. These results corroborate the importance of expectancy violation in exposure-based treatment, and suggest that exposure sessions designed to evoke strong threat beliefs may lead to better treatment outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex H K Wong
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Valentina M Glück
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Juliane M Boschet
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Paula Engelke
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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16
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Hear it, fear it: Fear generalizes from conditioned pictures to semantically related sounds. J Anxiety Disord 2020; 69:102174. [PMID: 31877422 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2019.102174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Fear generalization is thought to be an important mechanism in the acquisition and maintenance of anxiety disorders. Previous studies have investigated fear generalization within one sensory modality - mainly within the visual domain. However, a growing body of evidence shows that emotional information is processed in more than one sensory modality. Based on network theories, we expected that fear may also generalize from stimuli in one sensory modality to another. To test our hypothesis, 42 participants underwent a differential conditioning paradigm, during which pictures were either presented with (vCS+) or without (vCS-) an aversive electric stimulus. After the acquisition phase, generalization was tested in the crossmodal group (n = 21) by presenting sounds which were semantically congruent to the visual vCS+ (i.e., the aGS+) or the vCS- (i.e., the aGS-). As a control, the unimodal group (n = 21) saw the pictures again. For the crossmodal group, we could show that US expectancy ratings generalized from conditioned pictures (vCS+) to semantically related sounds (aGS+). Moreover, when the vCS+ was presented during extinction, fear of the aGS+ extinguished, whereas extinction training with the aGS+ was found to be less effective for the vCS+. The findings are relevant for crossmodal fear acquisition and exposure therapy.
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17
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Lipp OV, Waters AM, Luck CC, Ryan KM, Craske MG. Novel approaches for strengthening human fear extinction: The roles of novelty, additional USs, and additional GSs. Behav Res Ther 2020; 124:103529. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2019.103529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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18
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Smith BM, Smith GS, Dymond S. Relapse of anxiety-related fear and avoidance: Conceptual analysis of treatment with acceptance and commitment therapy. J Exp Anal Behav 2019; 113:87-104. [PMID: 31875982 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Excessive fear and avoidance in relatively safe situations can lead to a narrowing of one's behavioral repertoire and less engagement with valued aspects of living. Ultimately, these processes can reach clinical levels, as seen in anxiety, trauma, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Research on the basic behavioral processes underlying successful treatment with exposure therapy is growing, yet little is known about the mechanisms contributing to clinical relapse. Until recently, these mechanisms have largely been conceptualized in terms of Pavlovian return of fear, with relatively little research into operant processes. In the current paper, we briefly review translational research in anxiety disorders and the connections between fear and avoidance, focusing on recent work in the acquisition, extinction, and relapse of avoidance behavior and the generalization of this learning through arbitrary symbolic relations. We then introduce one possible treatment approach to mitigating clinical relapse, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and provide a conceptual analysis for why ACT may be especially well-situated to address this issue. Finally, we end with potential directions for future research on treatment and relapse of anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gregory S Smith
- Applied Behavior Analysis Department, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
| | - Simon Dymond
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University.,Department of Psychology, Reykjavík University
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19
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Wong AHK, Lovibond PF. Generalization of extinction of a generalization stimulus in fear learning. Behav Res Ther 2019; 125:103535. [PMID: 31883479 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2019.103535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Two experiments examined whether extinction of a generalization stimulus (GS) after single cue fear conditioning would in turn generalize to other stimuli, relative to a control group that received regular extinction of CS + itself. We found only a weak effect of such "generalization of GS extinction" either back to CS + or to a different GS, on either US expectancy or skin conductance measures. In other words, despite extinction trials with a stimulus highly similar to CS+, participants showed a return of fear when tested with CS + or a novel GS. However this responding declined rapidly over non-reinforced test trials. Trait anxious participants showed higher overall US expectancy ratings in the extinction and test phases, and slower extinction of expectancy, relative to low anxious participants. These results may help explain why exposure therapy, which is unlikely to reproduce the exact stimuli present at acquisition, sometimes fails to transfer to other fear-eliciting stimuli subsequently encountered by anxious clients. The generalization of GS extinction paradigm might provide a useful testbed for evaluation of interventions designed to enhance transfer, such as exposure to multiple diverse exemplars.
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20
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Carpenter JK, Pinaire M, Hofmann SG. From Extinction Learning to Anxiety Treatment: Mind the Gap. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9070164. [PMID: 31336700 PMCID: PMC6680899 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9070164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Laboratory models of extinction learning in animals and humans have the potential to illuminate methods for improving clinical treatment of fear-based clinical disorders. However, such translational research often neglects important differences between threat responses in animals and fear learning in humans, particularly as it relates to the treatment of clinical disorders. Specifically, the conscious experience of fear and anxiety, along with the capacity to deliberately engage top-down cognitive processes to modulate that experience, involves distinct brain circuitry and is measured and manipulated using different methods than typically used in laboratory research. This paper will identify how translational research that investigates methods of enhancing extinction learning can more effectively model such elements of human fear learning, and how doing so will enhance the relevance of this research to the treatment of fear-based psychological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph K Carpenter
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Ave, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Megan Pinaire
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Ave, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Stefan G Hofmann
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, 900 Commonwealth Ave, 2nd floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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