Using the Research Domain Criteria as a framework to integrate psychophysiological findings into stress management and psychotherapy interventions

Research on the psychophysiology of stress is expanding rapidly, but the field lacks a clear integrative framework to help translate research findings into empirically supported stress interventions. The Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) is an excellent candidate to explore as a framework to integrate stress research. The RDoC framework is a dimensional, multi-modal approach to psychopathology proposed as an alternative to categorical approaches used by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). The goal of this paper is to explore the RDoC as a framework to integrate psychophysiology research into therapeutic interventions for stress. The RDoC consists of six domains: negative valence systems, positive valence systems, cognitive systems, social processes systems, arousal/regulatory systems, and sensorimotor systems, and provides an excellent structure for integrating information from multiple levels of functioning including physiology, behavior, and self-report, as well as genes, molecules, cells, and brain circuits. Integrating psychophysiological research on stress using the RDoC framework can direct and amplify stress management and psychotherapeutic interventions. First, the RDoC provides a clear foundation for conceptualizing the stress response in terms of important concepts such as allostasis and adaptation. In this perspective, the terms "allostatic response" or "adaptation response" are more descriptive terms than "stress response" in understanding bodily responses to life threats and challenges. Second, psychophysiological approaches can be used in the context of modalities such as biofeedback and mindfulness to both collect psychophysiological data and then integrate that data into a broader therapeutic framework. Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback is being used more frequently as part of a therapeutic intervention package with stress management and psychotherapy, and HRV data is also used to provide outcome evidence on the efficacy of treatment. Mindfulness practices are commonly used in combination with stress management and psychotherapy, and psychophysiological data (HRV, EEG, blood pressure, etc.) is often collected to explore and understand mind/body relationships. In conclusion, the lack of a clear framework to assess and understand mind/body functioning limits current stress research and interventions. The RDoC provides a strong framework to assess and integrate physiological and psychological data and improve stress interventions.

The serial mediation effect of prospective imagery vividness and anxiety symptoms on the relationship between perceived stress and depressive symptoms among Chinese vocational college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

The mental health of vocational college students has been neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prospective imagery may play a role in the relationships among stress, anxiety and depression. This study aimed to survey the mental health of Chinese vocational college students and explore the mediation effect of prospective imagery vividness and anxiety symptoms on the relationship between perceived stress and depressive symptoms. A total of 2, 381 vocational college students (Mage = 18.38 years, range: 16-21, SD = 0.92) provided self-report data on perceived stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms and prospective imagery vividness. Two potential serial mediation models were postulated regarding the roles of prospective imagery vividness and anxiety symptoms in the relationship between perceived stress and depressive symptoms. The prevalence rates of stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms were 55.7%, 33.2% and 53.5%, respectively, among vocational college students. Perceived stress was associated with decreased vividness of positive prospective imagery and increased vividness of negative prospective imagery and anxiety symptoms, leading to increased depressive symptoms. Additionally, prospective imagery vividness and anxiety symptoms had a serial mediation effect on the relationship between perceived stress and depressive symptoms. The results demonstrated that impoverished vividness of positive prospective imagery is not only a central feature of depression but also associated with anxiety. Interventions targeting prospective imagery vividness may alleviate anxiety and depressive symptoms among Chinese vocational college students and should be implemented as soon as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A systematic review of the literature on interpretation bias and its physiological correlates

An important, yet under-explored area of interpretation bias research concerns the examination of potential physiological correlates and sequalae of this bias. Developing a better understanding of the physiological processes that underpin interpretation biases will extend current theoretical frameworks underlying interpretation bias, as well as optimising the efficacy of cognitive bias modification for interpretation (CBM-I) interventions aimed at improving symptoms of emotional disorders. To this end, systematic searches were conducted across the Web of Science, PsycInfo and Pubmed databases to identify physiological markers of interpretation bias. In addition, grey literature database searches were conducted to compliment peer-reviewed research and to counter publication bias. From a combined initial total of 898 records, 15 studies were included in qualitative synthesis (1 of which obtained from the grey literature). Eligible studies were assessed using a quality assessment tool adapted from the Quality Checklist for Healthcare Intervention Studies. The searches revealed seven psychophysiological markers of interpretation bias, namely event-related potentials, heart rate and heart rate variability, respiratory sinus arrythmia, skin conductance response, pupillometry, and electromyography. The respective theoretical and practical implications of the research are discussed, followed by recommendations for future research.

The Brain Is Adaptive Not Triune: How the Brain Responds to Threat, Challenge, and Change

Theory impacts how research is conducted. A popular theory used to conceptualize brain functioning is the triune brain theory. The triune brain theory is an evolutionary theory of brain development that emphasizes three key brain regions consisting of the brainstem, the limbic system, and the cortex that function relatively independently in coping with stress via fight or flight, emotion, and cognition, respectively. However, modern neuroscience research demonstrates that the triune brain theory does not accurately explain how the brain functions in everyday life or during the stress response. Specifically, emotion and cognition are interdependent and work together, the limbic system is not a purely emotional center nor are there purely emotional circuits in the brain, and the cortex is not a purely cognitive center nor are there purely cognitive circuits in the brain. We propose a new evolutionarily based model, the adaptive brain, that is founded on adaptive prediction resulting from interdependent brain networks using interoception and exteroception to balance current needs, and the interconnections among homeostasis, allostasis, emotion, cognition, and strong social bonds in accomplishing adaptive goals.

Contributions of diagnostic, cognitive, and somatovisceral information to the prediction of fear ratings in spider phobic and non-spider-fearful individuals

BACKGROUND

Physiological responding is a key characteristic of fear responses. Yet, it is unknown whether the time-consuming measurement of somatovisceral responses ameliorates the prediction of individual fear responses beyond the accuracy reached by the consideration of diagnostic (e.g., phobic vs. non phobic) and cognitive (e.g., risk estimation) factors, which can be more easily assessed.

METHOD

We applied a machine learning approach to data of an experiment, in which spider phobic and non-spider fearful participants (diagnostic factor) faced pictures of spiders. For each experimental trial, participants specified their personal risk of encountering the spider (cognitive factor), as well as their subjective fear (outcome variable) on quasi-continuous scales, while diverse somatovisceral responses were registered (heart rate, electrodermal activity, respiration, facial muscle activity).

RESULTS

The machine-learning analyses revealed that fear ratings were predominantly predictable by the diagnostic factor. Yet, when allowing for learning of individual patterns in the data, somatovisceral responses contributed additional information on the fear ratings, yielding a prediction accuracy of 81% explained variance. Moreover, heart rate prior to picture onset, but not heart rate reactivity increased predictive power.

LIMITATIONS

Fear was solely assessed by verbal reports, only 27 females were considered, and no generalization to other anxiety disorders is possible.

CONCLUSIONS

After training the algorithm to learn about individual-specific responding, somatovisceral patterns can be successfully exploited. Our findings further point to the possibility that the expectancy-related autonomic state throughout the experiment predisposes an individual to experience specific levels of fear, with less influence of the actual visual stimulations.

Relevance of Objective Measures in Psychiatric Disorders-Rest-Activity Rhythm and Psychophysiological Measures

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We present a review of recent methods of objective measurement in psychiatry and psychology with a focus on home monitoring and its utility in guiding treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

For individualized diagnostics and treatment of insomnia, actigraphy can generate clinically useful graphical presentations of sleep timing and patterns. Psychophysiological measures may complement psychometrics by tracking parallel changes in physiological responses and emotional functioning, especially during therapy for trauma symptoms and emotion regulation. It seems that rather than defining universal cut-offs, an individualised range of variability could characterize treatment response. Wearable actigraphy and psychophysiological sensors are promising devices to provide biofeedback and guide treatment. Use of feasible and reliable technology during experimental and clinical procedures may necessitate defining healthy and abnormal responses in different populations and pathological states. We present a "call for action" towards further collaborative work to enable large scale use of objective measures.

Integrating yoga with psychological group-treatment for mixed depression and anxiety in primary healthcare: An explorative pilot study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Yoga has shown promise as a treatment for depression and anxiety. The present pilot study investigated the feasibility of an eight-week grouptreatment integrating emotion-focused psychoeducation, compassion-focused therapy, and Virya yoga for depression and anxiety in primary healthcare.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients seeking treatment for depression and anxiety in a primary healthcare centre completed either an integrative group-treatment (N = 14) or treatment as usual (TAU, N = 17). Outcome measures were analysed pre- and posttreatment. Correlations in the intervention group were investigated between treatment outcomes and amount of yoga practice between sessions.

RESULTS

Large within-group effect sizes on all outcome measures were found at posttreatment. Symptom reduction did not differ between groups (p = 0.155). Improvement in alexithymia correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with amount of yoga practice between sessions.

CONCLUSION

Integrating yoga with a psychological group-treatment is a somewhat feasible approach to treatment for depression and anxiety in primary healthcare.