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Jurcik T, Zaremba-Pike S, Kosonogov V, Mohammed AR, Krasavtseva Y, Sawada T, Samarina I, Buranova N, Adu P, Sergeev N, Skuratov A, Demchenko A, Kochetkov Y. The efficacy of augmented reality exposure therapy in the treatment of spider phobia-a randomized controlled trial. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1214125. [PMID: 38440241 PMCID: PMC10911123 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1214125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The evidence for the use of Augmented Reality (AR) in treating specific phobias has been growing. However, issues of accessibility persist, especially in developing countries. The current study examined a novel, but relatively simple therapist guided smartphone-based AR Exposure Treatment (ARET) of spider phobia. Participants who reported symptoms of Arachnophobia were randomized into one of three comparison groups: ARET (n = 20), traditional in vivo exposure therapy (IVET; n = 18) and a waitlist control group (n = 17). Behavioral approach, subjective symptom measures, and galvanic skin response were assessed pre- and post-treatment. The study was concluded with a one-month follow up assessment. Results indicated that both treatment groups showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in behavioral approach at post-test that were maintained at 1 month follow- up, compared to the wait-listed group. Moreover, the treatment groups demonstrated significant improvements in subjective symptom report at 1-month follow up. Given its utility and potential accessibility, our findings suggest that future AR evaluation research could be conducted in therapy settings with minimal resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Jurcik
- School of Psychology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Abdul-Raheem Mohammed
- Department of Social and Behavioral Change, School of Public Health, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Yulia Krasavtseva
- Department of Pedagogy and Medical Psychology, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Psychology, Lomonosov MSU, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Cognitive Therapy, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tadamasa Sawada
- School of Psychology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Psychology, Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University, Yerevan, Armenia
- Akian College of Science and Engineering, American University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia
- European University of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Irina Samarina
- Department of Healthcare, P. B. Gannushkin Moscow Clinical Psychiatric Hospital No. 4, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Peter Adu
- Wellington Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Nikita Sergeev
- Department of Computer Engineering, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrei Skuratov
- Department of Computer Engineering, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
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Why Does Psychotherapy Work and for Whom? Hormonal Answers. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061361. [PMID: 35740383 PMCID: PMC9220228 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061361] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The questions of for whom and why psychotherapy is effective have been the focus of five decades of research. Most of this knowledge is based on self-report measures. Following the biopsychosocial model of mental disorders, this article explores the potential of hormones in answering these questions. The literature on cortisol, oxytocin, and oestradiol in psychotherapy was systematically searched, focusing on (a) baseline hormonal predictors of who may benefit from psychotherapy and (b) hormonal changes as indicators of therapeutic change. The search was limited to depression and anxiety disorders. In sum, the findings show that, of all three hormones, the role of cortisol is most established and that both cortisol and oxytocin are implicated in psychotherapy, although a causal role is still waiting to be demonstrated. Moreover, there is a differential role of hormones in the psychotherapy of depression versus anxiety. The directions of research mapped in this article may elucidate how psychotherapy can be selected to match patients’ endocrine states and how hormonal levels can be manipulated to improve outcomes.
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Levi E, Fischer S, Fisher H, Admon R, Zilcha-Mano S. Patient and Therapist In-Session Cortisol as Predictor of Post-Session Patient Reported Affect. Brain Sci 2021; 11:1483. [PMID: 34827482 PMCID: PMC8615903 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of the role of affect in psychotherapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) is well established, but the common use of self-reported measures may limit our understanding of its underlying mechanisms. A promising predictor of patient affect is the stress hormone cortisol. To date, no studies have studied in-session changes in cortisol in psychotherapy for MDD. We investigated whether an increase in patient cortisol over the course of a session correlated with higher negative and lower positive affect. Given previous findings on healthy individuals on the contagious nature of stress, an additional aim was to examine whether these relationships are moderated by therapist cortisol. To this end, 40 dyads (including 6 therapists) provided saliva samples before and after four pre-specified sessions (616 samples). After each session, the patients provided retrospective reports of in-session affect. We found no association between patient cortisol and affect. However, increases in patient cortisol predicted negative affect when the therapists exhibited decreases in cortisol, and increases in patient cortisol predicted positive affect when the therapists showed increases. Our study provides initial evidence for the importance of the social context in the cortisol-affect relationship in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Levi
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel; (E.L.); (H.F.); (R.A.)
| | - Susanne Fischer
- Institute of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Hadar Fisher
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel; (E.L.); (H.F.); (R.A.)
| | - Roee Admon
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel; (E.L.); (H.F.); (R.A.)
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel
| | - Sigal Zilcha-Mano
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel; (E.L.); (H.F.); (R.A.)
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Kellner M, Yassouridis A, Adel F, Muhtz C, Jelinek L, Wiedemann K. Cortisol, DHEA and DHEA-S during exposure therapy in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder - secretion patterns and prediction of treatment response. Psychiatry Res 2020; 291:113288. [PMID: 32763549 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The cortisol response in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during exposure with response prevention (ERP), a stressful but very effective psychotherapeutic treatment, has shown contradictory findings in three prior studies with low sample sizes. In a larger cohort of 51 patients with OCD we repeatedly measured subjective units of distress (SUD) and the adrenocortical stress hormones cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) in saliva during the very first session of ERP and on the day before. Expectedly, SUD were increased on the ERP day before the session and further rose during ERP, but salivary cortisol and DHEA were statistically indistinguishable from the comparison condition. Interestingly, DHEA-S was significantly elevated throughout the ERP versus the comparison day, but did not further increase in acute response to ERP. According to an explorative analysis in a subsample, hormone levels on the comparison or the ERP day did not predict anti-OCD treatment response one month later. These results corroborate our prior findings of cortisol non-response despite considerable subjective stress in ERP. The role of DHEA-S in anticipatory anxiety and the effects of augmentative cortisol therapy in ERP need further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kellner
- University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany; Herford Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics, Herford, Germany.
| | - Alexander Yassouridis
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Statistics and Biomathematics, Munich, Germany
| | - Fred Adel
- Herford Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy & Psychosomatics, Herford, Germany
| | - Christoph Muhtz
- University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lena Jelinek
- University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Wiedemann
- University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
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Trivasse H, Webb TL, Waller G. A meta-analysis of the effects of training clinicians in exposure therapy on knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and behavior. Clin Psychol Rev 2020; 80:101887. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Ströhle A, Gensichen J, Domschke K. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 155:611-620. [PMID: 30282583 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2018.0611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness in Europe, with a 12-month prevalence of 14% among persons aged 14 to 65. Their onset is usually in adolescence or early adulthood. The affected patients often develop further mental or somatic illnesses (sequential comorbidity). METHODS This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed. RESULTS The group of anxiety disorders includes generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), phobic disorders, panic disorders, and two disorders that are often restricted to childhood-separation anxiety and selective mutism. A comprehensive differential diag- nostic evaluation is essential, because anxiety can be a principal manifestation of other types of mental or somatic illness as well. Psychotherapy and treatment with psychoactive drugs are the therapeutic strategies of first choice. Of all types of psycho- therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy has the best documented efficacy. Modern antidepressants are the drugs of first choice for the treatment of panic disorders, agoraphobia, social phobia, and GAS; pregabalin is a further drug of first choice for GAS. CONCLUSION In general, anxiety disorders can now be effectively treated. Patients should be informed of the therapeutic options and should be involved in treatment planning. Current research efforts are centered on individualized and therefore, it is hoped, even more effective treatment approaches than are available at present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Ströhle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Institute of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Freiburg
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this paper is to provide a current review of the recent literature (2015-2018) on psychophysiological markers of fear and anxiety. RECENT FINDING Relative to healthy controls, fear-based disorders are characterised by heightened physiological reactivity to circumscribe threat salient stimuli, whereas anxiety-related disorders are associated with a more blunted pattern of physiological reactivity. Fear and anxiety disorders are marked by abnormal patterns of physiological reactivity, characterised by hyper- and hypo-reactivity in response to stimuli varying in threat salience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamiah Hyde
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mt. Gravatt, Australia
| | - Katherine M Ryan
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mt. Gravatt, Australia
| | - Allison M Waters
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mt. Gravatt, Australia.
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Pittig A, Kotter R, Hoyer J. The Struggle of Behavioral Therapists With Exposure: Self-Reported Practicability, Negative Beliefs, and Therapist Distress About Exposure-Based Interventions. Behav Ther 2019; 50:353-366. [PMID: 30824251 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Exposure-based interventions are a core ingredient of evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, previous research has documented that exposure is rarely utilized in routine care, highlighting an ongoing lack of dissemination. The present study examined barriers for the dissemination of exposure from the perspective of behavioral psychotherapists working in outpatient routine care (N = 684). A postal survey assessed three categories of barriers: (a) practicability of exposure-based intervention in an outpatient private practice setting, (b) negative beliefs about exposure, and (c) therapist distress related to the use of exposure. In addition, self-reported competence to conduct exposure for different anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD was assessed. High rates of agreement were found for single barriers within each of the three categories (e.g., unpredictable time management, risk of uncompensated absence of the patient, risk of decompensation of the patient, superficial effectiveness, or exposure being very strenuous for the therapist). Separately, average agreement to each category negatively correlated with self-reported utilization of exposure to a moderate degree (-.35 ≤ r ≤ -.27). In a multiple regression model, only average agreement to barriers of practicability and negative beliefs were significantly associated with utilization rates. Findings illustrate that a multilevel approach targeting individual, practical, and systemic barriers is necessary to optimize the dissemination of exposure-based interventions. Dissemination efforts may therefore benefit from incorporating strategies such as modifying negative beliefs, adaptive stress management for therapists, or increasing practicability of exposure-based interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Pittig
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.
| | - Roxana Kotter
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hoyer
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
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The German Adaptation of the Therapist Beliefs about Exposure Scale: a Validation Study among Licensed Cognitive Behavioural Therapists in Germany. Behav Cogn Psychother 2018; 47:164-180. [DOI: 10.1017/s1352465818000371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background: Exposure is an effective intervention in the treatment of pathological anxiety, but it is insufficiently disseminated. Therapists’ negative attitudes towards exposure might be of relevance when considering factors contributing to the non-application of this intervention. Aims: In order to be able to measure concerns in German-speaking therapist populations, the study aimed at validating a German version of the Therapist Beliefs about Exposure Scale.Method: The scale was translated into the German language and validated in a sample of 330 German licensed cognitive behavioural therapists. Results: In the present sample, the mean total score was significantly lower than in the original study including US-American therapists. Confirmatory factor analysis did not confirm the proposed one-factor model, while the exploratory factor analysis indicated that more than one factor is necessary to explain the structure of negative attitudes towards exposure. The internal consistency was high. Higher scores (more negative beliefs) were significantly correlated with older age, holding a master's degree (vs PhD), not being specialized in the treatment of anxiety disorders and with less experience with performance of exposure gained during clinical training. Negative beliefs about exposure were further associated with the self-reported average number of sessions spent on exposure in current treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and panic disorder, and with negative attitudes towards application of exposure sessions presented in case vignettes. Conclusions: The German adaptation provides the opportunity of measuring concerns regarding application of exposure in German-speaking therapist populations. However, the presented data reveal suggestions for further scale development.
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Pietrzak T, Lohr C, Jahn B, Hauke G. Embodied Cognition and the Direct Induction of Affect as a Compliment to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Behav Sci (Basel) 2018; 8:E29. [PMID: 29495377 PMCID: PMC5867482 DOI: 10.3390/bs8030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We make the case for the possible integration of affect experience induced via embodiment techniques with CBT for the treatment of emotional disorders in clinical settings. Theoretically we propose a possible integration of cognitive behavioural theory, neuroscience, embodied cognition and important processes of client change outcomes such as the therapeutic alliance to enhance client outcomes. We draw from evidence of bidirectional effects between embodiment modes of bottom-up (sensory-motor simulations giving rise to important basis of knowledge) and top-down (abstract mental representations of knowledge) processes such as CBT in psychotherapy. The paper first describes the dominance and success of CBT for the treatment of a wide range of clinical disorders. Some limitations of CBT, particularly for depression are also outlined. There is a growing body of evidence for the added value of experiential affect-focused interventions combined with CBT. Evidence for the embodied model of cognition and emotion is reviewed. Advantages of embodiment is highlighted as a complimentary process model to deepen the intensity and valence of affective experience. It is suggested that an integrated embodiment approach with CBT enhances outcomes across a wide range of emotional disorders. A description of our embodiment method integrated with CBT for inducing affective experience, emotional regulation, acceptance of unwanted emotions and emotional mastery is given. Finally, the paper highlights the importance of the therapeutic alliance as a critical component of the change process. The paper ends with a case study highlighting some clinical strategies that may aid the therapist to integrate embodiment techniques in CBT that can further explore in future research on affective experience in CBT for a wider range of clinical disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Pietrzak
- School Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Australia.
| | - Christina Lohr
- Embodiment Resource Academy Europa (Munich), 80634 Munich, Germany.
| | - Beverly Jahn
- Embodiment Resources Academy Europa (Leipzig), 04105 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Gernot Hauke
- Embodiment Resource Academy Europa (Munich), 80634 Munich, Germany.
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Becker-Haimes EM, Franklin M, Bodie J, Beidas RS. Feasibility and acceptability of a toolkit to facilitate clinician use of exposure therapy for youth. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 2:165-178. [PMID: 30740525 DOI: 10.1080/23794925.2017.1383867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Exposure therapy is a key element of cognitive-behavioral therapy for youth with anxiety. However, few clinicians outside of specialty anxiety clinics routinely use exposures with anxious youth. This study reports on the acceptability and feasibility of a clinician support toolkit for exposures with anxious youth in community settings. The toolkit was developed through an extensive literature review of exposure science and cited barriers to exposure therapy, with input from multiple experts in pediatric anxiety (n = 10). Acceptability and feasibility data was gathered via survey from 70 community clinicians attending a training on exposure therapy for youth. Qualitative data was collected from a subset of participants who used the toolkit with youth on their caseload for approximately one month. Survey data suggested that the toolkit was viewed highly favorably. Qualitative interviews indicated that the toolkit was viewed as a feasible therapeutic tool that positively impacted clinician motivation to use exposure. Primary challenges related to exposure use more generally, and included client and service setting barriers. Results suggested initial toolkit acceptability and feasibility. Future work to refine the toolkit and test its efficacy as an implementation strategy to increase clinician use of exposure therapy is warranted. Next steps include development of additional content in partnership with key stakeholders, and testing the toolkit's impact on increasing clinician use of exposure therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Becker-Haimes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3535 Market Street, 3 floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA, 215-573-5614.,Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
| | - Martin Franklin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3535 Market Street, 3 floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA, 215-573-5614
| | - Jessica Bodie
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3535 Market Street, 3 floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA, 215-573-5614.,Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
| | - Rinad S Beidas
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3535 Market Street, 3 floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA, 215-573-5614
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Systematic Review of In-Session Affect Experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-017-9865-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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