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Klein AM, Hagen A, Mobach L, Zimmermann R, Baartmans JMD, Rahemenia J, de Gier E, Schneider S, Ollendick TH. The Importance of Practicing at Home During and Following Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Childhood Anxiety Disorders: A Conceptual Review and New Directions to Enhance Homework Using Mhealth Technology. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2024:10.1007/s10567-024-00476-5. [PMID: 38616213 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-024-00476-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Practicing newly acquired skills in different contexts is considered a crucial aspect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders (Peris et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 56:1043-1052, 2017; Stewart et al. Prof Psychol Res Pract 47:303-311, 2016). Learning to cope with feared stimuli in different situations allows for generalization of learned skills, and experiencing non-occurrence of the feared outcome helps in developing non-catastrophic associations that may enhance treatment outcomes (Bandarian-Balooch et al. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 47:138-144, 2015; Cammin-Nowak et al. J Clin Psychol 69:616-629, 2013; Kendall et al. Cogn Behav Pract 12:136-148, 2005; Tiwari et al. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 42:34-43, 2013). To optimize treatment outcome, homework is often integrated into CBT protocols for childhood anxiety disorders during and following treatment. Nevertheless, practicing at home can be challenging, with low motivation, lack of time, and insufficient self-guidance often listed as reasons for low adherence (Tang and Kreindler, JMIR Mental Health 4:e20, 2017). This conceptual review provides an overview of (1) how existing CBT childhood programs incorporate homework, and empirical evidence for the importance of homework practice, (2) evidence-based key elements of practice, and (3) how mHealth apps could potentially enhance practice at home, including an example of the development and application of such an app. This review therefore sets the stage for new directions in developing more effective and engaging CBT-based homework programs for childhood anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke M Klein
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Annelieke Hagen
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lynn Mobach
- Developmental Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Pro Persona Institute for Integrated Mental Health Care, Wolfheze, The Netherlands
| | - Robin Zimmermann
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center (FBZ), Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Jasmin Rahemenia
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Silvia Schneider
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center (FBZ), Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas H Ollendick
- Department of Psychology, Child Study Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
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van Dis EAM, Hagenaars MA, Engelhard IM. Mental threat rehearsal increases fear generalization. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2024; 82:101917. [PMID: 37984086 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101917] [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: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Fear generalization to harmless stimuli characterizes anxiety-related disorders, but much remains unknown about its determinants. Based on studies showing that mental imagery of threat can increase conditioned fear responding, we tested whether it also facilitates fear generalization, and whether threat inflation moderates this effect. METHODS In a fear conditioning study, 120 participants first completed an acquisition phase, in which one of two pictures was followed by an aversive sound (human scream). Then, the sound was presented 11 times at an increasing (threat inflation) or constant volume (no threat inflation). Finally, a generalization stimulus was presented, and some participants were asked to imagine the last sound (threat rehearsal) and others were not (no threat rehearsal). RESULTS Bayesian informative hypotheses tests indicated that imagery-based threat rehearsal increased generalization of threat expectancy, and, combined with threat inflation, it also resulted in stronger generalized distress. LIMITATIONS due to the absence of a test phase, it is unclear whether our effects would transfer to other GSs and whether they would persist beyond the manipulation phase. CONCLUSIONS Mental imagery of threat may put individuals at risk for fear generalization. Future studies should examine whether modulating imagery may prevent clinical anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva A M van Dis
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Iris M Engelhard
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
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Melles H, Duijvis S, Jansen A. Inhibitory Learning during Exposure Treatment in Anorexia Nervosa: A Practical Guide. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:bs13050370. [PMID: 37232607 DOI: 10.3390/bs13050370] [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] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure therapy is known to be an effective intervention in the treatment of anxiety-related disorders. In eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, anxiety and avoidance are identified as maintenance factors. Therefore, they may constitute an important treatment target, suitable for the use of exposure therapy. Remarkably, exposure techniques to target fears and avoidance behaviors are not commonly used in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. We present a practical guide for the implementation of exposure therapy in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. We outline how exposure therapy is supposed to work according to the inhibitory learning model and how the exposure intervention can be designed for individuals with anorexia nervosa. Practical examples are provided through the case presentation of a patient with anorexia nervosa who completed 31 exposure sessions that focused on her fears of food, eating, weight, weight gain, their feared social consequences and the associated safety behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Melles
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Duijvis
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Anita Jansen
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Ginat-Frolich R, Kara-Ivanov A, Strauss AY, Myers A, Huppert JD. Mechanisms underlying interoceptive exposure: belief disconfirmation or extinction? A preliminary study. Cogn Behav Ther 2023; 52:132-145. [PMID: 36217830 DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2022.2109511] [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: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Interoceptive exposure, or exposure to one's feared physical sensations, has been shown to be an important technique in cognitive behavioral therapies for anxiety disorders and related constructs, such as anxiety sensitivity (AS). The current study sought to further clarify the underlying cognitive-behavioral mechanisms of interoceptive exposure in a lab-based, analog study with individuals high in AS. Participants (n = 59) were randomized into three groups: a cognitive-behavioral intervention emphasizing belief disconfirmation (CbI), a behavioral intervention emphasizing exposure (BI), and a control condition. Self-report measures assessing AS, catastrophizing of bodily sensations, and subjective units of distress (SUDS) were collected before, during and after the intervention. Participants also completed online questionnaires at a one-month follow-up. Following the CbI but not BI, a decrease was observed in both AS and catastrophizing interpretations. Furthermore, only the CbI group exhibited a decrease in SUDS ratings, whereas the BI group exhibited a significant increase. Notably, these effects were not maintained at a one-month follow-up. Findings suggest that cognitive interventions without repeated behavioral exposure may be sufficient in reducing self-reported anxiety-related symptoms and catastrophic misinterpretations, though not at maintaining them. This raises questions regarding the role of pure behavioral mechanisms in exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Kara-Ivanov
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Asher Y Strauss
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ayelet Myers
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jonathan D Huppert
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Carpenter JK, Moskow DM, Hofmann SG. Enhanced Mental Reinstatement of Exposure to Improve Extinction Generalization: A Study on Claustrophobia and MRI Fear. Behav Ther 2023; 54:156-169. [PMID: 36608973 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2022.08.002] [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: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Fear of enclosed spaces prevents many people from receiving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Although exposure therapy can effectively treat such fears, reductions in fear during exposure often do not generalize beyond the context in which they took place. This study tested a strategy designed to increase generalization, which involved revisiting the memory of a prior exposure to enhance retrieval of extinction learning. Forty-five participants with claustrophobia that included fear of MRI scans underwent a series of exposures lying inside a narrow cabinet. One week later, participants were randomly assigned to enhanced mental reinstatement (EMR) or control procedures. Prior to entering a mock MRI scanner, EMR participants recalled the memory of exposure training and listened to an audio recording of themselves describing what they learned, whereas control participants recalled a neutral memory. Compared to the control condition, EMR led to significantly reduced heart rate reactivity in the mock MRI scanner, but not self-reported fear or avoidance. There were no differences between conditions in claustrophobia symptoms or MRI fear at 1-month follow-up. Results suggest some benefits of mental reinstatement for improving generalization of gains following exposure training for claustrophobia, with measures of subjective fear and physiological arousal showing discordant outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph K Carpenter
- Boston University; National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Women's Health Sciences Division; VA Boston Healthcare System
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Leuchter MK, Rosenberg BM, Schapira G, Wong NR, Leuchter AF, McGlade AL, Krantz DE, Ginder ND, Lee JC, Wilke SA, Tadayonnejad R, Levitt J, Marder KG, Craske MG, Iacoboni M. Treatment of Spider Phobia Using Repeated Exposures and Adjunctive Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Proof-of-Concept Study. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:823158. [PMID: 35370840 PMCID: PMC8965447 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.823158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specific phobias represent the largest category of anxiety disorders. Previous work demonstrated that stimulating the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) with repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) may improve response to exposure therapy for acrophobia. OBJECTIVE To examine feasibility of accelerating extinction learning in subjects with spider phobia using intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS) rTMS of vmPFC. METHODS In total, 17 subjects with spider phobia determined by spider phobia questionnaires [Spider Phobia Questionnaire (SPQ) and Fear of Spiders questionnaire (FSQ)] underwent ratings of fear of spiders as well as behavioral and skin conductance data during a behavioral avoidance test (BAT). Subjects then received a sequential protocol of in vivo spider exposure followed by iTBS for three sessions administered to either active or control treatment sites (vmPFC [n = 8] or vertex [n = 9], respectively), followed 1 week later by repetition of questionnaires and BAT. RESULTS All subjects improved significantly regardless of group across both questionnaires (FSQ η2 = 0.43, p = 0.004; SPQ η2 = 0.39, p = 0.008) and skin conductance levels during BAT (Wald χ2 = 30.9, p < 0.001). Subjects in the vmPFC group tolerated lower treatment intensity than in the control group, and there was a significant correlation between treatment intensity, BAT subjective distress improvement, and physiologic measures (all ρ > 0.5). CONCLUSION This proof-of-concept study provides preliminary evidence that a sequential exposure and iTBS over vmPFC is feasible and may have rTMS intensity-dependent effects on treatment outcomes, providing evidence for future areas of study in the use of rTMS for phobias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael K Leuchter
- TMS Clinical and Research Program, Neuromodulation Division, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin M Rosenberg
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Giuditta Schapira
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nicole R Wong
- David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Andrew F Leuchter
- TMS Clinical and Research Program, Neuromodulation Division, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Anastasia L McGlade
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - David E Krantz
- TMS Clinical and Research Program, Neuromodulation Division, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nathaniel D Ginder
- TMS Clinical and Research Program, Neuromodulation Division, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jonathan C Lee
- TMS Clinical and Research Program, Neuromodulation Division, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Scott A Wilke
- TMS Clinical and Research Program, Neuromodulation Division, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Reza Tadayonnejad
- TMS Clinical and Research Program, Neuromodulation Division, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer Levitt
- TMS Clinical and Research Program, Neuromodulation Division, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Katharine G Marder
- TMS Clinical and Research Program, Neuromodulation Division, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Michelle G Craske
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Marco Iacoboni
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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