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Soleimani Rad H, Goodarzi H, Bahrami L, Abolghasemi A. Internet-Based Versus Face-to-Face Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Control Trial. Behav Ther 2024; 55:528-542. [PMID: 38670666 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2023.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 epidemic, face-to-face mental health services faced obstacles. Using Internet-based interventions was a good solution and had the potential to overcome these treatment barriers. However, there is no strong research evidence about the effectiveness of these methods for social anxiety disorder in different cultures and developing countries. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and application of Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder in Iran. The current study was a pretest-posttest follow-up experimental design. Fifty-four adolescents with social anxiety disorder were selected from Lorestan province (Iran) by cluster sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups: face-to-face, internet-based, and wait-list control. At the beginning and end of the study and 3-month follow-up, three groups were interviewed and answered questionnaires related to the primary and secondary symptoms of social anxiety disorder. Two experimental groups were treated with the same therapeutic intervention during 10 weekly sessions. ANCOVA analysis showed that both forms of intervention effectively reduced social phobia, fear of negative evaluation and social interaction anxiety and increased emotion regulation. Also, a significant decrease in secondary outcomes, including physical symptoms, insomnia, social dysfunction, and depression symptoms, was observed in both groups. The treatment effects were stable during a 3-month follow-up. Our findings showed that although Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents with social anxiety disorder can be effective, several clinical, cultural, and implementation weaknesses should be considered.
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Zainal NH, Tan HH, Hong RYS, Newman MG. Testing the Efficacy of a Brief, Self-Guided Mindfulness Ecological Momentary Intervention on Emotion Regulation and Self-Compassion in Social Anxiety Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Ment Health 2024; 11:e53712. [PMID: 38640015 DOI: 10.2196/53712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theories propose that brief, mobile, self-guided mindfulness ecological momentary interventions (MEMIs) could enhance emotion regulation (ER) and self-compassion. Such changes are posited to be mechanisms of change. However, rigorous tests of these theories have not been conducted. OBJECTIVE In this assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, we aimed to test these theories in social anxiety disorder (SAD). METHODS Participants with SAD (defined as having a prerandomization cut-off score ≥20 on the Social Phobia Inventory self-report) were randomized to a 14-day fully self-guided MEMI (96/191, 50.3%) or self-monitoring app (95/191, 49.7%) arm. They completed web-based self-reports of 6 clinical outcome measures at prerandomization, 15-day postintervention (administered the day after the intervention ended), and 1-month follow-up time points. ER and self-compassion were assessed at preintervention and 7-day midintervention time points. Multilevel modeling determined the efficacy of MEMI on ER and self-compassion domains from pretrial to midintervention time points. Bootstrapped parallel multilevel mediation analysis examined the mediating role of pretrial to midintervention ER and self-compassion domains on the efficacy of MEMI on 6 clinical outcomes. RESULTS Participants demonstrated strong compliance, with 78% (149/191) engaging in at least 80% of the MEMI and self-monitoring prompts. MEMI was more efficacious than the self-monitoring app in decreasing ER goal-directed behavior difficulties (between-group Cohen d=-0.24) and lack of emotional clarity (Cohen d=0.16) and increasing self-compassion social connectedness (Cohen d=0.19), nonidentification with emotions (Cohen d=0.16), and self-kindness (Cohen d=0.19) from pretrial to midintervention time points. The within-group effect sizes from pretrial to midintervention were larger in the MEMI arm than in the self-monitoring app arm (ER goal-directed behavior difficulties: Cohen d=-0.73 vs -0.29, lack of emotional clarity: Cohen d=-0.39 vs -0.21, self-compassion domains of social connectedness: Cohen d=0.45 vs 0.19, nonidentification with emotions: Cohen d=0.63 vs 0.48, and self-kindness: Cohen d=0.36 vs 0.10). Self-monitoring, but not MEMI, alleviated ER emotional awareness issues (between-group Cohen d=0.11 and within-group: Cohen d=-0.29 vs -0.13) and reduced self-compassion acknowledging shared human struggles (between-group Cohen d=0.26 and within-group: Cohen d=-0.23 vs 0.13). No ER and self-compassion domains were mediators of the effect of MEMI on SAD symptoms (P=.07-<.99), generalized anxiety symptoms (P=.16-.98), depression severity (P=.20-.94), repetitive negative thinking (P=.12-.96), and trait mindfulness (P=.18-.99) from pretrial to postintervention time points. Similar nonsignificant mediation effects emerged for all of these clinical outcomes from pretrial to 1-month follow-up time points (P=.11-.98). CONCLUSIONS Brief, fully self-guided, mobile MEMIs efficaciously increased specific self-compassion domains and decreased ER difficulties associated with goal pursuit and clarity of emotions from pretrial to midintervention time points. Higher-intensity MEMIs may be required to pinpoint the specific change mechanisms in ER and self-compassion domains of SAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION Open Science Framework (OSF) Registries; osf.io/m3kxz https://osf.io/m3kxz.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Hani Zainal
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Health Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hui Han Tan
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ryan Yee Shiun Hong
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michelle Gayle Newman
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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Fernández-Álvarez J, Colombo D, Gómez Penedo JM, Pierantonelli M, Baños RM, Botella C. Studies of Social Anxiety Using Ambulatory Assessment: Systematic Review. JMIR Ment Health 2024; 11:e46593. [PMID: 38574359 PMCID: PMC11027061 DOI: 10.2196/46593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been an increased interest in understanding social anxiety (SA) and SA disorder (SAD) antecedents and consequences as they occur in real time, resulting in a proliferation of studies using ambulatory assessment (AA). Despite the exponential growth of research in this area, these studies have not been synthesized yet. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to identify and describe the latest advances in the understanding of SA and SAD through the use of AA. METHODS Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. RESULTS A total of 70 articles met the inclusion criteria. The qualitative synthesis of these studies showed that AA permitted the exploration of the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral dynamics associated with the experience of SA and SAD. In line with the available models of SA and SAD, emotion regulation, perseverative cognition, cognitive factors, substance use, and interactional patterns were the principal topics of the included studies. In addition, the incorporation of AA to study psychological interventions, multimodal assessment using sensors and biosensors, and transcultural differences were some of the identified emerging topics. CONCLUSIONS AA constitutes a very powerful methodology to grasp SA from a complementary perspective to laboratory experiments and usual self-report measures, shedding light on the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral antecedents and consequences of SA and the development and maintenance of SAD as a mental disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Fernández-Álvarez
- Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, Castellon de la Plana, Spain
- Fundación Aiglé, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Desirée Colombo
- Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, Castellon de la Plana, Spain
| | | | | | - Rosa María Baños
- Polibienestar Research Institute, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Personality, Evaluation, and Psychological Treatments, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutricion (CB06/03 Instituto Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Botella
- Department of Basic and Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Jaume I University, Castellon de la Plana, Spain
- Ciber Fisiopatologia Obesidad y Nutricion (CB06/03 Instituto Salud Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
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Garakani A, Buono FD, Salehi M, Funaro MC, Klimowicz A, Sharma H, Faria CGF, Larkin K, Freire RC. Antipsychotic agents in anxiety disorders: An umbrella review. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2024; 149:295-312. [PMID: 38382649 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although not approved for the treatment of anxiety disorders (except trifluoperazine) there is ongoing off-label, unapproved use of first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) and second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) for anxiety disorders. There have been systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the use of antipsychotics in anxiety disorders, most of which focused on SGAs. OBJECTIVE The specific aims of this umbrella review are to: (1) Evaluate the evidence of efficacy of FGAs and SGAs in anxiety disorders as an adjunctive treatment to traditional antidepressant treatments and other nonantipsychotic medications; (2) Compare monotherapy with antipsychotics to first-line treatments for anxiety disorders in terms of effectiveness, risks, and side effects. The review protocol is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021237436). METHODS An initial search was undertaken to identify systematic reviews and meta-analyses from inception until 2020, with an updated search completed August 2021 and January 2023. The searches were conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), APA PsycInfo (Ovid), CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), and the Cochrane Library through hand searches of references of included articles. Review quality was measured using the AMSTAR-2 (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) scale. RESULTS The original and updated searches yielded 1796 and 3744 articles respectively, of which 45 were eligible. After final review, 25 systematic reviews and meta-analyses were included in the analysis. Most of the systematic reviews and meta-analyses were deemed low-quality through AMSTAR-2 with only one review being deemed high-quality. In evaluating the monotherapies with antipsychotics compared with first-line treatments for anxiety disorder there was insufficient evidence due to flawed study designs (such as problems with randomization) and small sample sizes within studies. There was limited evidence suggesting efficacy of antipsychotic agents in anxiety disorders other than quetiapine in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). CONCLUSIONS This umbrella review indicates a lack of high-quality studies of antipsychotics in anxiety disorders outside of the use of quetiapine in GAD. Although potentially effective for anxiety disorders, FGAs and SGAs may have risks and side effects that outweigh their efficacy, although there were limited data. Further long-term and larger-scale studies of antipsychotics in anxiety disorders are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Garakani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Frank D Buono
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mona Salehi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Melissa C Funaro
- Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Anna Klimowicz
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Harshit Sharma
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Clara G F Faria
- Laboratory of Panic and Respiration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kaitlyn Larkin
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA
| | - Rafael C Freire
- Laboratory of Panic and Respiration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry and Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Kingston General Hospital Research Institute, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Reuter J, Grocholewski A, Steil R. Associations between olfactory reference disorder and social phobia - results of an internet-based study. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1248496. [PMID: 38515962 PMCID: PMC10954805 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1248496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the similar clinical features of Olfactory Reference Disorder (ORD) and Social Phobia (SP), or studies showing elevated comorbidity of the two disorders, and the conceptualization of ORD as a form of SP in the East Asian culture, to our knowledge, the relationship between ORD and SP has not been investigated. This study examined the association of ORD according to the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and SP in 225 German university / college students who completed self-ratings with regard to socio-demographic data and symptoms of SP and ORD within an anonymous internet-based survey. Symptoms of SP were assessed with the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). Symptoms of ORD according to the ICD-11 were assessed with the Olfactory Reference Disorder Questionnaire (ORDQ), developed for this study. In our sample, 86.6% of the participants who met the self-rated features for ORD also met the self-rated criteria for current SP. ORD severity scores were significantly related to SP. Participants with and without self-reported ORD differed significantly in their SP total scores. SP severity was also significantly correlated with poorer insight of ORD-related beliefs, greater ORD-related avoidance of intimate relationships and higher levels of shame and fear of rejection due to body odor. These preliminary findings indicate that ORD could be closely related to SP and highlight the need for future research on the relationship of ORD and SP in order to gain a better understanding of the development, maintenance, treatment and classification of ORD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Reuter
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anja Grocholewski
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, and Diagnostics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Regina Steil
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Monti L, Hanover R, Salmán E, Baker RA, Lappalainen J, Smith M. Effect of fasedienol (PH94B) pherine nasal spray and steroidal hormones on electrogram responses and autonomic nervous system activity in healthy adult volunteers. Hum Psychopharmacol 2024; 39:e2892. [PMID: 38193849 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fasedienol (PH94B) is a pherine compound formulated as a nasal spray that is hypothesized to regulate olfactory-amygdala circuits of fear and anxiety. Fasedienol's effect on the local electrogram of nasal chemosensory neurons (EGNR) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses versus steroidal hormones and controls in healthy adults is reported. METHODS Eight males and 8 females randomly received aerosolized control (propylene glycol) and study drugs (fasedienol, 17β-estradiol, progesterone, cortisol, and testosterone, 0.4 μg each in propylene glycol) onto the nasal septum mucosal lining at 30-min intervals over 2 sessions. EGNR was continuously monitored; autonomic parameters were recorded before and after administration. RESULTS Fasedienol significantly increased EGNR amplitude (males: 5.0 vs. 0.6 mV, p < 0.001; females:5.7 vs. 0.6 mV, p < 0.001), and rapidly reduced respiratory rate (p < 0.05), heart rate (p < 0.01), and electrodermal activity (p < 0.05) versus control. EGNR and ANS responses after steroidal hormone administration were similar to control. 81% reported feeling less tense/more relaxed after receiving fasedienol, but not after receiving either control or steroidal hormones. CONCLUSIONS Intranasal fasedienol, but not control or steroidal hormones, activated EGNR and rapidly reduced ANS responses, consistent with sympatholytic effects. Combined with subjective reports, results suggest fasedienol may provide acute relief in anxiety conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Monti
- Vistagen Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rita Hanover
- Vistagen Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ester Salmán
- Vistagen Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Ross A Baker
- Vistagen Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Mark Smith
- Vistagen Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
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Rosário BDA, Lemes JA, de Lima MP, Ribeiro DA, Viana MDB. Subjective, behavioral and neurobiological effects of cannabis and cannabinoids in social anxiety. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:197-211. [PMID: 37812748 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a debilitating disorder, characterized by fear and anxiety in social situations. Evidence suggests that the levels of SAD are rising, in particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors and cognitive-behavioral therapy are effective treatments for SAD. Nevertheless, a significant number of patients do not respond well to these therapeutic options. During the last years, Cannabis and cannabinoid-containing products have been investigated for the treatment of different neuropsychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, their efficacy for the treatment of anxiety disorders is still a matter of debate. The purpose of this review was to investigate subjective, behavioral, and neurobiological effects of Cannabis and cannabinoids in social anxiety and SAD. A search in the PubMed database for articles published between the years of 2003-2023 was conducted. One hundred and seventeen (117) original studies were identified. After the exclusion criteria, eighteen (18) studies were selected. The studies investigated the effects of the cannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in patients or healthy volunteers submitted to tasks that assessed social anxiety. Results showed that CBD decreases social anxiety, producing an inverted U-shaped curve, with anxiety measurements being reduced at intermediate doses administered orally (300-600 mg), but not at lower or higher doses. THC either reduces (lower doses, 6-7.5 mg) or increases (higher doses) social anxiety measurements. CBD attenuates the anxiogenic effects of THC. The effects of THC and CBD in anxiety are associated to the modulation of fronto-limbic regions. Further clinical trials, conducted with male and female patients and larger cohorts are still necessary to consolidate these results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jéssica Alves Lemes
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Maria Paula de Lima
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Daniel Araki Ribeiro
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Milena de Barros Viana
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, São Paulo, Brasil
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Shahid S, Kelson J, Saliba A. Effectiveness and User Experience of Virtual Reality for Social Anxiety Disorder: Systematic Review. JMIR Ment Health 2024; 11:e48916. [PMID: 38329804 PMCID: PMC10884902 DOI: 10.2196/48916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder that affects occupational and social functioning. Virtual reality (VR) therapies can provide effective treatment for people with SAD. However, with rapid innovations in immersive VR technology, more contemporary research is required to examine the effectiveness and concomitant user experience outcomes (ie, safety, usability, acceptability, and attrition) of emerging VR interventions for SAD. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effectiveness and user experience of contemporary VR interventions among people with SAD. METHODS The Cochrane Library, Emcare, PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched between January 1, 2012, and April 26, 2022. Deduplicated search results were screened based on title and abstract information. Full-text examination was conducted on 71 articles. Studies of all designs and comparator groups were included if they appraised the effectiveness and user experience outcomes of any immersive VR intervention among people with SAD. A standardized coding sheet was used to extract data on key participant, intervention, comparator, outcome, and study design items. RESULTS The findings were tabulated and discussed using a narrative synthesis. A total of 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS The findings showed that VR exposure therapy-based interventions can generally provide effective, safe, usable, and acceptable treatments for adults with SAD. The average attrition rate from VR treatment was low (11.36%) despite some reported user experience difficulties, including potential simulator sickness, exposure-based emotional distress, and problems with managing treatment delivered in a synchronous group setting. This review also revealed several research gaps, including a lack of VR treatment studies on children and adolescents with SAD as well as a paucity of standardized assessments of VR user experience interactions. More studies are required to address these issues. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42022353891; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=353891.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Shahid
- Faculty of Business, Justice, and Behavioural Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia
| | - Joshua Kelson
- Faculty of Business, Justice, and Behavioural Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia
| | - Anthony Saliba
- Faculty of Business, Justice, and Behavioural Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia
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Wu H, Yue C, Cao F, Long Y, Wang Y. Self-processing characteristics from first-person and third-person perspectives in individuals with social anxiety disorder: insights into negative bias. Front Psychiatry 2024; 14:1283624. [PMID: 38375515 PMCID: PMC10875139 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1283624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background As one of the most common psychological problems, social anxiety disorder (SAD) has lots of negative effects on the physical and mental development of individuals, such as decreasing the quality of interpersonal relationships, and even causing depression, suicidal ideation, etc., as well as leads individuals to generate mental illness stigma. The mental illness stigma that individuals perceive affects not only how they perceive themselves (first-person perspective) but also how they perceive others' appraisals of them (third-person perspective), which further exacerbates their anxiety symptoms. Objective The study aims to explore the self-processing characteristics of individuals with social anxiety disorder from the first-person perspective and the third-person perspective. Methods This study adopted the self-referential paradigm to conduct the recognition memory test on individuals with social anxiety disorder (30 participants in experiment 1) and individuals without social anxiety disorder (31 participants in experiment 2) in the two experiments. Results In experiment 1, the recognition rate of individuals with social anxiety disorder under the self-appraisals condition was significantly higher than that under the condition of appraisals on mothers; in the three conditions of self-appraisals, appraisals on mothers and mothers' reflected appraisals, the recognition rate of negative trait adjectives was significantly higher than that of positive trait adjectives. In experiment 2, there was no significant difference in recognition rate of individuals without social anxiety disorder under the three conditions, and the recognition rate of positive trait adjectives was significantly higher than that of negative trait adjectives under the three conditions. Conclusion Individuals with social anxiety disorder have a negative bias in self-processing and are more likely to focus on self-information, which is different from the self-positive bias of individuals without social anxiety disorder. This study can be beneficial to know the self-cognitive characteristics of individuals with social anxiety disorder, help them get rid of negative cognitive patterns, and remove the mental illness stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huating Wu
- College of National Culture and Cognitive Science, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, China
| | - Caizhen Yue
- College of National Culture and Cognitive Science, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, China
| | - Fasheng Cao
- College of National Culture and Cognitive Science, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yihong Long
- College of National Culture and Cognitive Science, Guizhou Minzu University, Guiyang, China
- School of Public Administration, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Wang
- The Faculty of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- International Affairs Office, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, China
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Fricke S, Seinsche RJ, Neudert MK, Schäfer A, Zehtner RI, Stark R, Hermann A. Neural correlates of context-dependent extinction recall in social anxiety disorder: relevance of intrusions in response to aversive social experiences. Psychol Med 2024; 54:548-557. [PMID: 37553977 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are phenomenological similarities between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and posttraumatic stress disorder, such as a provoking aversive event, posttraumatic stress symptoms (e.g. intrusions) in response to these events and deficient (context-dependent) fear conditioning processes. This study investigated the neural correlates of context-dependent extinction recall and fear renewal in SAD, specifically in patients with intrusions in response to an etiologically relevant aversive social event. METHODS During functional magnetic resonance imaging a two-day context-dependent fear conditioning paradigm was conducted in 54 patients with SAD and 54 healthy controls (HC). This included fear acquisition (context A) and extinction learning (context B) on one day, and extinction recall (context B) as well as fear renewal (contexts C and A) one day later. The main outcome measures were blood oxygen level-dependent responses in regions of interest and skin conductance responses. RESULTS Patients with SAD showed reduced differential conditioned amygdala activation during extinction recall in the safe extinction context and during fear renewal in the acquisition context compared to HC. Patients with clinically relevant intrusions moreover exhibited hypoactivation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) during extinction learning, extinction recall, and fear renewal in a novel context, while amygdala activation more strongly decreased during extinction learning and increased during fear renewal in the acquisition context compared with patients without intrusions. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides first evidence that intrusions in SAD are associated with similar deficits in context-dependent regulation of conditioned fear via the vmPFC as previously demonstrated in posttraumatic stress disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Fricke
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rosa J Seinsche
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Marie K Neudert
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Axel Schäfer
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Raphaela I Zehtner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rudolf Stark
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andrea Hermann
- Department of Psychotherapy and Systems Neuroscience, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Phillips University Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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11
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Alhadi AN, Alageel MA, Alsuhaibani FA, Alkaff HM, Albawardi MS, Alfaifi AA, Duraihem TB, Alhayes FA. Prevalence and Severity of Social Anxiety Symptoms and Their Relationship With Body Dysmorphic Symptoms. Cureus 2024; 16:e53436. [PMID: 38435158 PMCID: PMC10909235 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a subtype of anxiety characterized by avoidance, fear, and physical symptoms such as dry mouth, sweating, palpitations, and blushing. SAD is one of the most common mental disorders. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder marked by a distressing or impairing preoccupation with imagined or minor flaws in one's physical appearance. Both disorders share similar symptoms. No satisfactory data have been provided about the prevalence of social anxiety symptoms in our region. In our study, we measured the prevalence and severity of SAD symptoms among adults in Riyadh City, as well as the sociodemographic factors associated with it. Additionally, the correlation between SAD and BDD was assessed. Methods Our study is quantitative, observational, and cross-sectional. It was conducted by administering a translated Arabic version of the Severity Measure for Social Anxiety Disorder scale and BDD scales in five locations in Riyadh, which include two general hospitals and three shopping malls. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistical data are presented through mean values, standard deviations, and percentages. Results A total of 752 responses were received, of which 509 (68.32%) were from females with a mean age of 30.12 years. The majority of the sample had a low to middle family income, with 64% earning less than $2555 monthly. The sample possessed a good educational level; 63% had a bachelor's degree or higher. Our study also shows that 233 subjects (30.98%) had scores indicating a moderate to severe form of SAD. Among these participants, 86 (36.9%) had scores indicating a moderate to severe form of BDD. There was a significant positive correlation between SAD and BDD (r = 0.496). Conclusion The prevalence of SAD was 30.98%, which is higher compared to Western countries. Low income, education, and female gender have roles in the disease condition. Moreover, there was a linear relationship between SAD and BDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad N Alhadi
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU
- Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) Psychological Health Research and Applications Chair (SPHRAC), College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Musab A Alageel
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Fahad A Alsuhaibani
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Hussain M Alkaff
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Musaid S Albawardi
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Abdullah A Alfaifi
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Turky B Duraihem
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Faisal A Alhayes
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU
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12
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Domschke K, Seuling PD, Schiele MA, Bandelow B, Batelaan NM, Bokma WA, Branchi I, Broich K, Burkauskas J, Davies SJC, Dell'Osso B, Fagan H, Fineberg NA, Furukawa TA, Hofmann SG, Hood S, Huneke NTM, Latas M, Lidbetter N, Masdrakis V, McAllister-Williams RH, Nardi AE, Pallanti S, Penninx BWJH, Perna G, Pilling S, Pini S, Reif A, Seedat S, Simons G, Srivastava S, Steibliene V, Stein DJ, Stein MB, van Ameringen M, van Balkom AJLM, van der Wee N, Zwanzger P, Baldwin DS. The definition of treatment resistance in anxiety disorders: a Delphi method-based consensus guideline. World Psychiatry 2024; 23:113-123. [PMID: 38214637 PMCID: PMC10785995 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are very prevalent and often persistent mental disorders, with a considerable rate of treatment resistance which requires regulatory clinical trials of innovative therapeutic interventions. However, an explicit definition of treatment-resistant anxiety disorders (TR-AD) informing such trials is currently lacking. We used a Delphi method-based consensus approach to provide internationally agreed, consistent and clinically useful operational criteria for TR-AD in adults. Following a summary of the current state of knowledge based on international guidelines and an available systematic review, a survey of free-text responses to a 29-item questionnaire on relevant aspects of TR-AD, and an online consensus meeting, a panel of 36 multidisciplinary international experts and stakeholders voted anonymously on written statements in three survey rounds. Consensus was defined as ≥75% of the panel agreeing with a statement. The panel agreed on a set of 14 recommendations for the definition of TR-AD, providing detailed operational criteria for resistance to pharmacological and/or psychotherapeutic treatment, as well as a potential staging model. The panel also evaluated further aspects regarding epidemiological subgroups, comorbidities and biographical factors, the terminology of TR-AD vs. "difficult-to-treat" anxiety disorders, preferences and attitudes of persons with these disorders, and future research directions. This Delphi method-based consensus on operational criteria for TR-AD is expected to serve as a systematic, consistent and practical clinical guideline to aid in designing future mechanistic studies and facilitate clinical trials for regulatory purposes. This effort could ultimately lead to the development of more effective evidence-based stepped-care treatment algorithms for patients with anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Patrik D Seuling
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Miriam A Schiele
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Borwin Bandelow
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Neeltje M Batelaan
- Department of Psychiatry and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wicher A Bokma
- Department of Psychiatry and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Igor Branchi
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Karl Broich
- Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julius Burkauskas
- Laboratory of Behavioral Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Palanga, Lithuania
| | - Simon J C Davies
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bernardo Dell'Osso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Mental Health and Addictions, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Harry Fagan
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Naomi A Fineberg
- University of Hertfordshire & Hertfordshire Partnership, University NHS Foundation Trust, Hatfield, UK
| | - Toshi A Furukawa
- Department of Health Promotion and Human Behavior, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Stefan G Hofmann
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sean Hood
- Division of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Nathan T M Huneke
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Milan Latas
- Clinic for Psychiatry, University Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
- Belgrade University School of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Vasilios Masdrakis
- First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - R Hamish McAllister-Williams
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK
| | - Antonio E Nardi
- Panic & Respiration Laboratory, Institute of Psychiatry, Medical School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stefano Pallanti
- Institute of Neuroscience, Florence, Italy
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brenda W J H Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giampaolo Perna
- Department of Biological Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
| | - Steve Pilling
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Effectiveness, Research Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stefano Pini
- University of Pisa School of Medicine, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gemma Simons
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Vesta Steibliene
- Neuroscience Institute and Clinic of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Dan J Stein
- South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Murray B Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and School of Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Michael van Ameringen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Anton J L M van Balkom
- Department of Psychiatry and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nic van der Wee
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Zwanzger
- Clinical Center for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Kbo-Inn-Salzach Hospital, Wasserburg am Inn, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwigs-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - David S Baldwin
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
- South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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13
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Carpita B, Nardi B, Bonelli C, Massimetti E, Amatori G, Cremone IM, Pini S, Dell’Osso L. Presence and correlates of autistic traits among patients with social anxiety disorder. Front Psychiatry 2024; 14:1320558. [PMID: 38312918 PMCID: PMC10834675 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1320558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Due to their similar behavioral presentation, it can sometimes be challenging to distinguish between a social anxiety disorder (SAD) and the social avoidance that is frequently described in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Moreover, a growing body of evidences is reporting that a significant proportion of subjects with ASD also meet the requirements for SAD and, vice versa, subjects with SAD tend to exhibit a higher prevalence of autistic traits. Aim In this framework, the current study aims to evaluate prevalence and correlates of autistic traits in a sample of adult subjects diagnosed with SAD and healthy controls (HC), also evaluating which autism spectrum dimensions may statistically predict higher SAD symptoms. Methods 56 subjects with a clinical diagnosis of SAD and 56 gender and age matched HC were recruited from the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Pisa. Subjects were assessed with the SCID-5, the Social Anxiety Spectrum - Short Version (SHY- SV) and the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum). Results SAD group scored significantly higher in all AdAS Spectrum and SHY-SV domains and total score compared to the HC group with no significant gender difference. SHY-SV total and domain scores, were strongly and positively and strongly correlated with all AdAS Spectrum domains and total score. AdAS Spectrum total score and Childhood/Adolescence, Non-Verbal Communication, Empathy and Restricted interests and Rumination domain scores score were significant predictors of higher SHY-SV score. Conclusion Our results confirm the link between SAD and autistic traits also in adult population, describing not only high levels of autistic traits in SAD adults, but also significant correlations between many core features of the two disorders and a predictive role of autistic traits on higher SAD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Carpita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Benedetta Nardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Bonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrico Massimetti
- North-Western Tuscany Region NHS Local Health Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Amatori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ivan Mirko Cremone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Pini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Liliana Dell’Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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14
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Rodebaugh TL, Grossman JT, Tonge NA, Shin J, Frumkin MR, Rodriguez CR, Ortiz EG, Piccirillo ML. Avoidance and fear day by day in social anxiety disorder. Psychother Res 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38185095 DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2023.2297994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Theories assert that avoidance maintains maladaptive anxiety over time, yet a clear prospective test of this effect in the day-by-day lives of people with social anxiety disorder (SAD) is lacking. METHOD We used intensive longitudinal data to test prospective relationships between social fear and social avoidance in 32 participants with SAD who reported on a total of 4256 time points. RESULTS Results suggested that avoidance strongly predicted future anxiety, but only in a minority of people with SAD. Relationships between anxiety and avoidance varied considerably across individuals. Pre-registered tests found that the strength of autocorrelation for social fear is a good target for future testing of prediction of exposure response. Participants with lower autocorrelations were less likely to show between-session habituation. CONCLUSIONS Overall, results suggest avoidance maintains fear in SAD for at least some individuals, but also indicates considerable variability. Further intensive longitudinal data is needed to examine individuals with SAD across varying time courses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas L Rodebaugh
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Jason T Grossman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, USA
| | - Natasha A Tonge
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, USA
| | - Jin Shin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, USA
| | - Madelyn R Frumkin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, USA
| | - Chavez R Rodriguez
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, USA
| | - Esteban G Ortiz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, USA
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15
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Kurita K, Obata T, Sutoh C, Matsuzawa D, Yoshinaga N, Kershaw J, Chhatkuli RB, Ota J, Shimizu E, Hirano Y. Individual cognitive therapy reduces frontal-thalamic resting-state functional connectivity in social anxiety disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1233564. [PMID: 38179253 PMCID: PMC10764569 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1233564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Previous neuroimaging studies in social anxiety disorders (SAD) have reported potential neural predictors of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-related brain changes. However, several meta-analyses have demonstrated that cognitive therapy (CT) was superior to traditional exposure-based CBT for SAD. Objective To explore resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) to evaluate the response to individual CT for SAD patients. Methods Twenty SAD patients who attended 16-week individual CT were scanned pre- and post-therapy along with twenty healthy controls (HCs). The severity of social anxiety was assessed with the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) was performed on the pre-CT data to extract regions associated with a change in LSAS (∆LSAS). Group comparisons of the seed-based rsFC analysis were performed between the HCs and pre-CT patients and between the pre-and post-CT patients. Results MVPA-based regression analysis revealed that rsFC between the left thalamus and the frontal pole/inferior frontal gyrus was significantly correlated with ∆LSAS (adjusted R2 = 0.65; p = 0.00002). Compared with HCs, the pre-CT patients had higher rsFCs between the thalamus and temporal pole and between the thalamus and superior/middle temporal gyrus/planum temporale (p < 0.05). The rsFC between the thalamus and the frontal pole decreased post-CT (p < 0.05). Conclusion SAD patients had significant rsFC between the thalamus and temporal pole, superior/middle temporal gyrus, and planum temporale, which may be indicators of extreme anxiety in social situations. In addition, rsFC between the thalamus and the frontal pole may be a neuromarker for the effectiveness of individual CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Kurita
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Takayuki Obata
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Chihiro Sutoh
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Daisuke Matsuzawa
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoki Yoshinaga
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Jeff Kershaw
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ritu Bhusal Chhatkuli
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Junko Ota
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Eiji Shimizu
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Hirano
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Institute for Quantum Medical Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
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16
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Suhas S, Jayasankar P, Patley R, Manjunatha N, Rao GN, Gururaj G, Varghese M, Benegal V. Nationally representative epidemiological study of social anxiety disorder from India. Indian J Psychiatry 2023; 65:1261-1268. [PMID: 38298869 PMCID: PMC10826865 DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_826_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also termed as social phobia, is a disabling psychiatric condition with limited epidemiological research on it in India. This study, using data from the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), 2016, is the first to explore its current prevalence and associated factors in India. Materials and Methods The NMHS in India used a comprehensive population-based study with subjects selected through a multistage stratified random cluster sampling technique across 12 states. The study included 34,802 adults interviewed with the Mini-International Psychiatric Interview 6.0.0. Firth penalized logistic regression (FPLR) was used to estimate covariate odds ratios (ORs), and the treatment gap for SAD and disability measured using Sheehan's disability scale was calculated. Results The study found a 0.47% prevalence of SAD, with an average age of 35.68 years (standard deviation (SD) = 15.23) among those affected. Factors, such as male gender, unemployment, and living in urban areas, were associated with higher odds of SAD, while the elderly had lower odds. A significant proportion of individuals with SAD experienced disability in work (63%), social life (77%), and family life (68%). They spent a median of ₹ 2500 per month on treatment and had a high rate of comorbid psychiatric disorders (58%). The treatment gap was substantial at 82%. Conclusions A considerable portion of India's population (approximately >65 lakhs) is affected by SAD. Surprisingly, the NMHS 2016 report indicates a higher risk of SAD among males compared with females, a trend that warrants further investigation. SAD in India is linked to significant disability and a considerable treatment gap, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to address this large, affected population, especially in light of the scarcity of mental health professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Suhas
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Pavithra Jayasankar
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Rahul Patley
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Narayana Manjunatha
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Girish N. Rao
- Department of Epidemiology, Centre for Public Health, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Gopalkrishna Gururaj
- Department of Epidemiology, Centre for Public Health, WHO Collaborative Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Mathew Varghese
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Vivek Benegal
- Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Addiciton Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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Strand ER, Nordahl H, Hjemdal O, Nordahl HM. Metacognitive beliefs predict interpersonal problems in patients with social anxiety disorder. Scand J Psychol 2023; 64:819-824. [PMID: 37365879 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Patients with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) typically report interpersonal problems, and these are important targets in treatment beyond social anxiety symptoms as they impair quality of life, maintain emotion symptoms and effect on social functioning. What factors contribute to interpersonal problems? In the current study we set out to explore the role of metacognitive beliefs as correlates of interpersonal problems in patients treated for SAD when controlling for the effect of social phobic cognitions and symptoms. The sample consisted of 52 patients with a primary diagnosis of SAD participating in a randomized controlled trial comparing cognitive therapy, paroxetine, pill placebo, or the combination of cognitive therapy and paroxetine in treating SAD. Two hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore change in metacognitions as predictors of change in interpersonal problems when controlling for change in social phobic cognitions and social anxiety. Change in metacognitions accounted for unique variance in interpersonal problems improvement beyond change in cognitions. Furthermore, change in cognitions overlapped with change in social anxiety symptoms, and when controlling the overlap between these three predictors, only change in metacognitions was uniquely associated with improvement in interpersonal problems. This finding indicates that metacognitions are linked to interpersonal problems in patients with SAD with the implication that treatment should aim to modify metacognitive beliefs to alleviate interpersonal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eivind R Strand
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- St. Olav's Hospital, Nidaros DPS, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Henrik Nordahl
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Odin Hjemdal
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Hans M Nordahl
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Division of Psychiatry, St. Olav's Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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18
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Carpita B, Cremone IM, Nardi B, Amatori G, Bonelli C, Massimetti E, Casagrande D, Pini S, Dell’Osso L. Implications of Social Anxiety Symptoms in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Is There a Predictive Role of Interpersonal Sensitivity and Substance Abuse? Brain Sci 2023; 13:1559. [PMID: 38002519 PMCID: PMC10669824 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13111559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) has been frequently reported by subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, interestingly, the overlap between social anxiety and autistic traits may sometimes impede ASD diagnosis in subjects without intellectual or language impairment. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the presence and correlates of social phobic features among subjects with ASD, with a specific focus on evaluating which social anxiety symptoms may be statistically predictive of an ASD diagnosis. With this purpose, 48 subjects with ASD and 48 gender- and age- matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited and assessed with the SHY-SV and the AdAS Spectrum questionnaires. Results highlighted higher scores in all SHY-SV Spectrum domains and total scores for the ASD group. Moreover, AdAS Spectrum scores were significantly correlated with all SHY-SV domain and total scores. A logistic regression analysis highlighted the SHY-SV Interpersonal sensitivity and Substance Abuse domains scores as significant positive predictors of an ASD diagnosis. These results confirm the link between ASD and SAD. Because of this association, particular attention should be paid to subjects with high interpersonal sensitivity traits and substance abuse problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Carpita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 67 Via Roma, 56126 Pisa, Italy (B.N.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (L.D.)
| | - Ivan Mirko Cremone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 67 Via Roma, 56126 Pisa, Italy (B.N.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (L.D.)
| | - Benedetta Nardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 67 Via Roma, 56126 Pisa, Italy (B.N.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (L.D.)
| | - Giulia Amatori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 67 Via Roma, 56126 Pisa, Italy (B.N.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (L.D.)
| | - Chiara Bonelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 67 Via Roma, 56126 Pisa, Italy (B.N.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (L.D.)
| | - Enrico Massimetti
- North-Western Tuscany Region NHS Local Health Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Head Office, Via Cocchi 7/9, 56121 Pisa, Italy
| | - Danila Casagrande
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 67 Via Roma, 56126 Pisa, Italy (B.N.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (L.D.)
| | - Stefano Pini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 67 Via Roma, 56126 Pisa, Italy (B.N.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (L.D.)
| | - Liliana Dell’Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, 67 Via Roma, 56126 Pisa, Italy (B.N.); (G.A.); (S.P.); (L.D.)
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Kuckertz JM, Najmi S, Baer K, Amir N. Refining the Analysis of Mechanism-Outcome Relationships for Anxiety Treatment: A Preliminary Investigation Using Mixed Models. Behav Modif 2023; 47:1242-1268. [PMID: 30943758 DOI: 10.1177/0145445519841055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Although efficacious treatments exist for anxiety disorders, issues remain regarding how best to conceptualize and measure purported change processes in clinical research. In the current study, we examined the relationship between treatment-specific (exposure therapy, attention bias modification [ABM]) as well as more general change processes with symptoms within a transdiagnostic sample using mixed models. Results indicated that slope of self-efficacy across treatment and between-session habituation across identical exposures was associated with slope of symptom change. Although slope of anxiety ratings within session was not associated with slope of symptom change, it did interact with other candidate exposure processes to predict symptoms. Purported ABM change processes were not associated with outcome. Our use of mixed models exemplifies an emerging trend in this research aimed at minimizing loss of data through aggregation, and our results highlight the utility of integrating treatment-specific as well as more general change processes in mechanistic research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sadia Najmi
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego
| | - Kylie Baer
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego
| | - Nader Amir
- San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego
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20
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Zhang X, Yang X, Wu B, Pan N, He M, Wang S, Kemp GJ, Gong Q. Large-scale brain functional network abnormalities in social anxiety disorder. Psychol Med 2023; 53:6194-6204. [PMID: 36330833 PMCID: PMC10520603 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722003439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although aberrant brain regional responses are reported in social anxiety disorder (SAD), little is known about resting-state functional connectivity at the macroscale network level. This study aims to identify functional network abnormalities using a multivariate data-driven method in a relatively large and homogenous sample of SAD patients, and assess their potential diagnostic value. METHODS Forty-six SAD patients and 52 demographically-matched healthy controls (HC) were recruited to undergo clinical evaluation and resting-state functional MRI scanning. We used group independent component analysis to characterize the functional architecture of brain resting-state networks (RSNs) and investigate between-group differences in intra-/inter-network functional network connectivity (FNC). Furtherly, we explored the associations of FNC abnormalities with clinical characteristics, and assessed their ability to discriminate SAD from HC using support vector machine analyses. RESULTS SAD patients showed widespread intra-network FNC abnormalities in the default mode network, the subcortical network and the perceptual system (i.e. sensorimotor, auditory and visual networks), and large-scale inter-network FNC abnormalities among those high-order and primary RSNs. Some aberrant FNC signatures were correlated to disease severity and duration, suggesting pathophysiological relevance. Furthermore, intrinsic FNC anomalies allowed individual classification of SAD v. HC with significant accuracy, indicating potential diagnostic efficacy. CONCLUSIONS SAD patients show distinct patterns of functional synchronization abnormalities both within and across large-scale RSNs, reflecting or causing a network imbalance of bottom-up response and top-down regulation in cognitive, emotional and sensory domains. Therefore, this could offer insights into the neurofunctional substrates of SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xun Yang
- School of Public Affairs, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Baolin Wu
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Nanfang Pan
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Min He
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Song Wang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Functional & Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Graham J. Kemp
- Liverpool Magnetic Resonance Imaging Centre (LiMRIC) and Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, Fujian 361000, China
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Pan JY. Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial in Hong Kong. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e48437. [PMID: 37707944 PMCID: PMC10540030 DOI: 10.2196/48437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide. In Hong Kong, the prevalence of SAD is high, but its treatment rate is low. SAD has immense impact on academic or work performance, social life, career development, and quality of life. One of the most effective treatments for SAD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with internet-based CBT (iCBT) and virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) showing promise in treating SAD. However, internet interventions are underdeveloped in Chinese communities including Hong Kong. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop an iCBT program that includes VRET, called "Ease Anxiety in Social Event Online" (Ease Online), for Hong Kong adults with SAD in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS The 14-week Ease Online program is a guided self-help iCBT program with a blended mode of service delivery. The program comprises 9 web-based modules and 5 individual counseling sessions (including 2 VRET sessions) conducted remotely or face-to-face with a therapist to provide therapist support, as guided iCBT shows superior effects than unguided iCBT. Other program components include therapist feedback on assignments, internal messages, forums, client portfolios, web-based questionnaires, reminders, and web-based bookings. The program can be accessed either through a mobile app or program website through a PC with an internet connection. The participants are openly recruited and screened using a questionnaire and through an intake interview. Eligible participants are randomized by placing them into a web-based iCBT group, app-based iCBT group, or a waitlist control (WLC) group. Participants in the WLC group are assigned to the app-based program upon completion of the service of the 2 experimental groups. Measurements of social anxiety, depression and anxiety symptoms, psychological distress, automatic thoughts, and quality of life are administered at pretest, posttest, and 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Multivariate ANOVA with repeated measures will be performed to determine the intervention effectiveness on the continuous variables over time. RESULTS Participant recruitment commenced in January 2021. As of February 2023, a total of 1811 individuals applied for the Ease Online program. In total, 401 intake interviews have been completed, and 329 eligible participants have joined the program, among whom 166 have completed the service. Data collection is still ongoing, which is expected to be completed in March 2024. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first of its kind in combining iCBT and VRET for the treatment of SAD in Hong Kong. At a theoretical level, this study contributes to the development and evaluation of internet-based psychological interventions in Hong Kong. At a practical level, the Ease Online program may serve as an alternative service option for SAD clients in Hong Kong if proven effective. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04995913; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04995913. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/48437.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yan Pan
- Department of Social Work, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong)
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22
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Fang A, Baran B, Feusner JD, Phan KL, Beatty CC, Crane J, Jacoby RJ, Manoach DS, Wilhelm S. Self-Focused Brain Predictors of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Response in a Transdiagnostic Sample. medRxiv 2023:2023.08.30.23294878. [PMID: 37693433 PMCID: PMC10491350 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.30.23294878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Background Effective biomarkers of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) response provide information beyond available behavioral or self-report measures and may optimize treatment selection for patients based on likelihood of benefit. No single biomarker reliably predicts CBT response. In this study, we evaluated patterns of brain connectivity associated with self-focused attention (SFA) as biomarkers of CBT response for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. We hypothesized that pre-treatment as well as pre- to post-treatment changes in functional connectivity would be associated with improvement during CBT in a transdiagnostic sample. Methods Twenty-seven patients with primary social anxiety disorder (n=14) and primary body dysmorphic disorder (n=13) were scanned before and after 12 sessions of CBT targeting their primary disorder. Eligibility was based on elevated trait SFA scores on the Public Self-Consciousness Scale. Seed-based resting state functional connectivity associated with symptom improvement was computed using a seed in the posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus that delineated a self-other functional network. Results At pre-treatment, stronger positive connectivity of the seed with the cerebellum, insula, middle occipital gyrus, postcentral gyrus, and precuneus/superior parietal lobule, and stronger negative connectivity with the putamen, were associated with greater clinical improvement. Between pre- to post-treatment, greater anticorrelation between the seed and precuneus/superior parietal lobule was associated with clinical improvement, although this did not survive thresholding. Conclusions Pre-treatment functional connectivity between regions involved in attentional salience, self-generated thoughts, and external attention predicted greater CBT response. Behavioral and self-report measures of SFA did not contribute to predictions, thus highlighting the value of neuroimaging-based measures of SFA. Clinical Trials Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02808702 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02808702.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Fang
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195-1525
| | - Bengi Baran
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242-1407
| | - Jamie D. Feusner
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Brain Imaging Health Center, Ontario, Toronto, Canada, M5T1R8
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Toronto, Canada, M5T1R8
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K. Luan Phan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43210-1240
| | - Clare C. Beatty
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-2500
| | - Jessica Crane
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195-1525
| | - Ryan J. Jacoby
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114-2696
| | - Dara S. Manoach
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114-2696
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, MA, 02129-2020
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114-2696
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23
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Käll A, Olsson Lynch C, Sundling K, Furmark T, Carlbring P, Andersson G. Scheduled Support Versus Support on Demand in Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Psychol Eur 2023; 5:e11379. [PMID: 38356895 PMCID: PMC10863636 DOI: 10.32872/cpe.11379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Clinician-supported internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) can be an effective treatment option when treating social anxiety disorder (SAD). Unguided ICBT is often found to be less effective. One possible solution to reduce the costs of clinician support is to provide support on demand. In this format of guidance, participants have the option to contact their clinician if needed. In a few studies, this mode of support has been compared favorably to scheduled support. Method Participants in a previously reported controlled trial on SAD who had been in a waitlist control group were randomly allocated to ICBT with either on-demand guidance or scheduled weekly therapist guidance. A total of 99 participants were included. Data were collected weekly on the primary outcome measure, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale self-report (LSAS-SR), and at pre- and post-treatment for secondary measures. Data were analyzed in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle using mixed-effects models. Results Both groups improved significantly during the treatment according to the LSAS-SR ratings. The groups did not differ in their estimated change during the treatment period, with a between-group effect of d = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.37, 0.43]. Both groups experienced similar improvement also on the secondary outcome measures, with small between-group effect sizes on all outcomes. Conclusions The findings indicate that support on demand can be an effective way of providing guidance in ICBT for SAD, although more research on this topic is needed. A limitation of the study is that it was conducted in 2009, and the findings were in the file drawer. Subsequent published studies support our initial findings, but more research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Käll
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | | | - Kajsa Sundling
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tomas Furmark
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Carlbring
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gerhard Andersson
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lau N, Zhou AM, Yuan A, Parigoris R, Rosenberg AR, Weisz JR. Social skills deficits and self-appraisal biases in children with social anxiety disorder. J Child Fam Stud 2023; 32:2889-2900. [PMID: 37772042 PMCID: PMC10538948 DOI: 10.1007/s10826-021-02194-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Social Anxiety Disorder is highly prevalent among children and leads to poor long-term outcomes if left untreated. Theoretical models of anxiety differ in whether children with Social Anxiety Disorder experience objective social skills deficits, negative self-interpretation biases, or some combination of the two. This pilot study evaluated evidence in support of the "deficit" and "bias" models. Approval was obtained from the ethics committee of a large private university in Cambridge, MA, USA, and data collection was completed in 2015. We recruited 68 parent-child dyads for a study in which anxious children (with Social Anxiety Disorder) and non-anxious children underwent a child-adapted version of the Trier Social Stress Test. Children were aged 8-14, 67.6% male, and self-identified as 54.4% White, 7.4% Black, 4.4% Latinx, 13.2% Asian, 14.7% multiethnic, and 5.9% "other" or no response. Performance ratings were obtained from children, their parents, and external observers. We found evidence of both specific social skills deficits and self-appraisal biases in anxious children. Anxious children struggled with signs of physical discomfort but not with actual speech content. Although children were generally able to accurately evaluate their social performance, older anxious children were most self-critical. Parents were similarly accurate in appraisals of their children's social performance. Anxious children responded favorably to positive feedback with improved self-evaluations of performance and decreased anxiety. Findings suggest that a comprehensive "integrated" theoretical model of Social Anxiety Disorder should include both skills deficits and self-appraisal biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Lau
- Palliative Care and Resilience Lab, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Anna M Zhou
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Amanda Yuan
- Palliative Care and Resilience Lab, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ryan Parigoris
- Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abby R Rosenberg
- Palliative Care and Resilience Lab, Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - John R Weisz
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Wong QJJ, Hamrick HC, Clague CA, Judah MR. Understanding the Dimensions of Post-Event Processing: Applying a Bifactor Modeling Approach to the EPEPQ-15. Assessment 2023; 30:1836-1847. [PMID: 36176182 DOI: 10.1177/10731911221127911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder is maintained in part by rumination about past social experiences, known as post-event processing. The Extended Post-Event Processing Questionnaire (EPEPQ-15) assesses post-event processing as three correlated factors. Competing against this structure is a bifactor model that has not yet been evaluated for the EPEPQ-15. These models were tested for the conventional state version of the EPEPQ-15 and a new trait version in two separate samples (Ns = 327 and 351). In both samples, the fit of the bifactor model was better than that of correlated factor models. Moreover, the results did not support the group factors, indicating that a unidimensional interpretation of the EPEPQ-15 is most appropriate. The general dimension of the EPEPQ-15 was highly correlated with social interaction anxiety, beliefs related to social anxiety, anticipatory processing, and safety behaviors. These results overall suggest post-event processing is best conceptualized as a unitary construct.
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26
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Tada K. Olfactory Reference Syndrome: Its Relationship to Comorbidity of Social Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. J Nerv Ment Dis 2023; 211:721-725. [PMID: 37639459 PMCID: PMC10476584 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS) is known to have the clinical features of both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD). However, there has been no clear explanation as to why ORS has the characteristics of two different disorders. In the present study, the comorbidity rates of ORS in patients with SAD (without OCD, n = 83), ORS in patients with OCD (without SAD, n = 42), and patients with SAD and OCD comorbidity (n = 17) were compared. Of all 142 patients studied, 11 were diagnosed with ORS. The comorbidity rate of ORS in comorbid SAD/OCD group was significantly higher than those in both SAD and OCD groups. Logistic regression analysis of 100 cases of SAD and selected 69 cases of generalized SAD showed that the risk of ORS was significantly higher in patients with OCD and bulimia nervosa. Of 59 cases with OCD, the risk of ORS was significantly higher in patients with SAD. The results of the present study suggest that the comorbidity of SAD and OCD most likely explains the development of ORS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Tada
- Jimbocho Mental Health Clinic, Tokyo, Japan
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27
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Karpov B, Lipsanen JO, Ritola V, Rosenström T, Saarni S, Pihlaja S, Stenberg JH, Laizane P, Joffe G. The Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale as an Outcome Measure in Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: Observational Study. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e45362. [PMID: 37590055 PMCID: PMC10472172 DOI: 10.2196/45362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) is effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. iCBT clinical trials use relatively long and time-consuming disorder-specific rather than transdiagnostic anxiety measurements. Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS) is a brief self-report scale that could offer a universal, easy-to-use anxiety measurement option in disorder-specific and transdiagnostic iCBT programs. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate relationships between OASIS and disorder-specific instruments in iCBT. We expected these relationships to be positive. METHODS We investigated patients in original nationwide iCBT programs for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, which were administered by Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. In each program, anxiety symptoms were measured using both disorder-specific scales (the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, revised Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, Panic Disorder Severity Scale, and Social Phobia Inventory) and by OASIS. A general linear model for repeated measures (mixed models) and interaction analysis were used for investigating the changes and relationships in the mean scores of OASIS and disorder-specific scales from the first session to the last one. RESULTS The main effect of linear mixed models indicated a distinct positive association between OASIS and disorder-specific scale scores. Interaction analysis demonstrated relatively stable associations between OASIS and the revised Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (F822.9=0.09; 95% CI 0.090-0.277; P=.32), and OASIS and the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (F596.6=-0.02; 95% CI -0.108 to -0.065; P=.63) from first the session to the last one, while the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (F4345.8=-0.06; 95% CI -0.109 to -0.017; P=.007), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (F4270.8=-0.52; 95% CI -0.620 to -0.437; P<.001), and Social Phobia Inventory (F862.1=-0.39; 95% CI -0.596 to -0.187; P<.001) interrelated with OASIS more strongly at the last session than at the first one. CONCLUSIONS OASIS demonstrates clear and relatively stable associations with disorder-specific symptom measures. Thus, OASIS might serve as an outcome measurement instrument for disorder-specific and plausibly transdiagnostic iCBT programs for anxiety disorders in regular clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Karpov
- Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Ville Ritola
- Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tom Rosenström
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Suoma Saarni
- Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Satu Pihlaja
- Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jan-Henry Stenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Grigori Joffe
- Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Zhang X, Lai H, Li Q, Yang X, Pan N, He M, Kemp GJ, Wang S, Gong Q. Disrupted brain gray matter connectome in social anxiety disorder: a novel individualized structural covariance network analysis. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:9627-9638. [PMID: 37381581 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenotyping approaches grounded in structural network science can offer insights into the neurobiological substrates of psychiatric diseases, but this remains to be clarified at the individual level in social anxiety disorder (SAD). Using a recently developed approach combining probability density estimation and Kullback-Leibler divergence, we constructed single-subject structural covariance networks (SCNs) based on multivariate morphometry (cortical thickness, surface area, curvature, and volume) and quantified their global/nodal network properties using graph-theoretical analysis. We compared network metrics between SAD patients and healthy controls (HC) and analyzed the relationship to clinical characteristics. We also used support vector machine analysis to explore the ability of graph-theoretical metrics to discriminate SAD patients from HC. Globally, SAD patients showed higher global efficiency, shorter characteristic path length, and stronger small-worldness. Locally, SAD patients showed abnormal nodal centrality mainly involving left superior frontal gyrus, right superior parietal lobe, left amygdala, right paracentral gyrus, right lingual, and right pericalcarine cortex. Altered topological metrics were associated with the symptom severity and duration. Graph-based metrics allowed single-subject classification of SAD versus HC with total accuracy of 78.7%. This finding, that the topological organization of SCNs in SAD patients is altered toward more randomized configurations, adds to our understanding of network-level neuropathology in SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xun Zhang
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Han Lai
- Department of Medical Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Qingyuan Li
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xun Yang
- School of Public Affairs, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Nanfang Pan
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Min He
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Graham J Kemp
- Liverpool Magnetic Resonance Imaging Centre (LiMRIC) and Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom
| | - Song Wang
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Department of Radiology and Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen 361000, China
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Gavric D, Cameron D, Waechter S, Moscovitch DA, McCabe RE, Rowa K. Just do something: An experimental investigation of brief interventions for reducing the negative impact of post-event processing in social anxiety disorder. J Anxiety Disord 2023; 98:102744. [PMID: 37478698 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Post-Event Processing (PEP) is prevalent and problematic in Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) but is typically not a direct target in evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for SAD. The primary aim of the current study was to examine the impact of several theoretically and empirically derived interventions for PEP in SAD, including concrete thinking, abstract thinking, and distraction in comparison to a control (i.e., do nothing) condition. Based on prior research, we hypothesized that the concrete and distract conditions would be associated with positive benefits, including reductions in PEP and improvements in self-perception, whereas the abstract and control conditions would not. The second aim of the study was to identify baseline variables that predict the trajectory of change in PEP over time. Participants (N=92) with a principal diagnosis of SAD completed a social stress task and were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. Participants completed measures at baseline, post-intervention/control, and at 1-week, and 1-month follow-up. Contrary to hypotheses, all three active conditions were similarly effective at reducing PEP and improving self-perceptions relative to the control condition. In the absence of an intervention, engagement in PEP remained high up to a month following the social stress task. Higher levels of baseline state anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and use of safety behaviours predicted greater PEP, even in the presence of an intervention. These results highlight the benefits of relatively brief interventions that disrupt the course of PEP for people with SAD. Such interventions can be easily incorporated into CBT protocols for SAD to enhance their effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dubravka Gavric
- Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.
| | - Duncan Cameron
- Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada
| | - Stephanie Waechter
- Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - David A Moscovitch
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Randi E McCabe
- Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Karen Rowa
- Anxiety Treatment and Research Clinic, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
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Lin J. Editorial: The etiology and pathogenesis of affective disorders. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1233256. [PMID: 37533715 PMCID: PMC10392925 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
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Lear MK, Smith SM, Pilecki B, Stauffer CS, Luoma JB. Social anxiety and MDMA-assisted therapy investigation: a novel clinical trial protocol. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1083354. [PMID: 37520237 PMCID: PMC10379654 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1083354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a serious and prevalent psychiatric condition that heavily impacts social functioning and quality of life. Though efficacious treatments exist for SAD, remission rates remain elevated and a significant portion of those affected do not access effective treatment, suggesting the need for additional evidence-based treatment options. This paper presents a protocol for an open-label pilot study of MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) for social anxiety disorder. The study aims to assess preliminary treatment outcomes, feasibility and safety, and psychological and physiological processes of change in the treatment of SAD with MDMA-AT. A secondary aim includes the development of a treatment manual for MDMA-AT for SAD. Method The outlined protocol is a randomized, open-label delayed treatment study. We will recruit 20 participants who meet criteria with moderate-to-severe social anxiety disorder (SAD) of the generalized subtype. Participants will be randomly assigned to an immediate treatment (n = 10) or delayed treatment condition (n = 10). Those in the immediate treatment condition will proceed immediately to active MDMA-AT consisting of three preparation sessions, two medicine sessions in which they receive oral doses of MDMA, and six integration sessions over approximately a 16-week period. The delayed treatment condition will receive the same intervention after a 16-week delay. Our primary outcome is SAD symptom reduction as measured by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale administered by blinded raters at post-treatment and 6 month follow up. Secondary outcomes include changes in functional impairment, feasibility and safety measures, and novel therapeutic processes of change including shame and shame-related coping, belongingness, self-concealment, and self-compassion at post-treatment. Exploratory outcomes are also discussed. Discussion The results of this pilot trial advance the field's understanding of the acceptability and potential effectiveness of MDMA-AT for social anxiety disorder and provide an overview of relevant therapeutic mechanisms unique to SAD. We hope findings from this protocol will inform the design of subsequent larger-scale randomized controlled trials (RCT) examining the efficacy of MDMA-AT for SAD. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT05138068.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Kati Lear
- Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, and Training Center, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Sarah M. Smith
- Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, and Training Center, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Brian Pilecki
- Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, and Training Center, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Chris S. Stauffer
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jason B. Luoma
- Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, and Training Center, Portland, OR, United States
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Hardarson JP, Gudmundsdottir B, Valdimarsdottir AG, Gudmundsdottir K, Tryggvadottir A, Thorarinsdottir K, Wessman I, Davidsdottir S, Tomasson G, Holmes EA, Thorisdottir AS, Bjornsson AS. Appraisals of Social Trauma and Their Role in the Development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:577. [PMID: 37504024 PMCID: PMC10376637 DOI: 10.3390/bs13070577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive theories of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) feature appraisal of trauma as a critical factor in the development and maintenance of the disorder. Here we explored appraisals of social trauma (severe rejection or humiliation). Participants were outpatients with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and clinically significant PTSD symptoms (PTSS) after social trauma (n = 15); two clinical control groups of either SAD (n = 32) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; n = 13); and a control group with no diagnoses (n = 38). Measures included a clinical interview to assess social trauma and related open-ended appraisals and the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI). Raters blind to group assignment performed content analyses of appraisals. Results showed that the PTSS group scored significantly higher than either clinical group on the PTCI SELF subscale. Only the SELF subscale predicted a diagnosis of both PTSS and SAD. All but one PTSS participant reported primarily negative beliefs about their social trauma, and the most common categories were flawed self and others are critical or cruel. Post-traumatic appraisals implicated in the course of PTSD are significant in how individuals respond to social trauma, with negative self-cognitions linked to both PTSS and SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Berglind Gudmundsdottir
- Department of Medicine, University of Iceland, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Department of Mental Health Services, Landspitali-The National University Hospital of Iceland, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | | | | | | | | | - Inga Wessman
- Department of Psychology, University of Iceland, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Soley Davidsdottir
- Icelandic Center for Treatment of Anxiety Disorders, 108 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Gunnar Tomasson
- Department of Medicine, University of Iceland, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Emily A Holmes
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Andri S Bjornsson
- Department of Psychology, University of Iceland, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland
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Porter RJ, Beaglehole B, Baghaei N. Virtual reality technology in the treatment of anxiety - progress and future challenges. Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:1047-1049. [PMID: 38014828 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2289574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Porter
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Te Whatu Ora, Specialist Mental Health Services, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Ben Beaglehole
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Te Whatu Ora, Specialist Mental Health Services, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Nilufar Baghaei
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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Jystad I, Haugan T, Bjerkeset O, Sund ER, Vaag J. Corrigendum: School functioning and educational aspirations in adolescents with social anxiety-The Young-HUNT3 study, Norway. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1228198. [PMID: 37457082 PMCID: PMC10349328 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1228198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.727529.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingunn Jystad
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tommy Haugan
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
| | - Ottar Bjerkeset
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Erik R. Sund
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
- HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Levanger, Norway
| | - Jonas Vaag
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Walder N, Berger T, Schmidt SJ. Prevention and Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial of the Online Guided Self-Help Intervention SOPHIE. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e44346. [PMID: 37342086 DOI: 10.2196/44346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety symptoms are highly prevalent among adolescents and are associated with poor quality of life and low psychosocial functioning. If untreated, social anxiety often persists into adulthood and increases the risk for comorbid disorders. Therefore, early interventions for social anxiety to prevent negative long-term consequences are critical. However, adolescents rarely seek help and often avoid face-to-face psychotherapeutic interventions due to the perceived lack of autonomy and anonymity. Thus, online interventions represent a promising opportunity to reach adolescents who have social anxiety but do not seek help yet. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the efficacy, moderators, and mediators of an online intervention developed to reduce social anxiety in adolescents. METHODS A total of 222 adolescents aged 11-17 years with subclinical social anxiety (N=166) or with a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (N=56) are randomly assigned to the online intervention or a care-as-usual control group. The 8-week guided online intervention is based on the Cognitive Model of Social Phobia and evidence-based online interventions for social anxiety adapted to the specific needs of adolescents. The care-as-usual group will be given access to the online intervention after the follow-up assessment. Participants are assessed at baseline, at 4 and 8 weeks post intervention, and at 3-month follow-up assessment on the primary outcome, that is, social anxiety, on secondary outcomes (eg, level of functioning, fear and avoidance, general anxiety, depression, quality of life, self-esteem, and negative effects of the intervention), on potential moderators (eg, therapy motivation, therapy expectancy, and satisfaction with the intervention), and potential mediators (eg, therapeutic alliance and adherence to the intervention). Data will be analyzed based on an intention-to-treat approach and both groups (intervention and care-as-usual) will be compared at each assessment time point. Furthermore, potential mechanisms of change and generalization of intervention effects on daily life are assessed using an ecological momentary assessment procedure that includes items on maintaining mechanisms of social anxiety, social context, and affect. Participants are prompted 3 times a day during the first 8 weeks of the study and again for 2 weeks following the follow-up assessment. RESULTS Recruitment is ongoing; initial results are expected in 2024. CONCLUSIONS Results are discussed considering the potential of online interventions as a low-threshold prevention and treatment option for adolescents with social anxiety and in light of current advances in dynamic modeling of change processes and mechanisms in early intervention and psychotherapy in adolescents. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04782102; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04782102. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/44346.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Walder
- Division of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Berger
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie J Schmidt
- Division of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Carlton CN, Antezana L, Richey JA. Associations between resting-state neural connectivity and positive affect in social anxiety disorder. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3006. [PMID: 37062915 PMCID: PMC10275543 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Social anxiety disorder (SAD) has been characterized by deficits in social motivation and lack of reactivity to pleasurable stimuli (i.e., positive affect; [PA]). Recent neuroimaging work has shifted toward examining positively valenced motivational systems in SAD focused on reward responses. However, little is known about the associations of reward connectivity and PA in individuals with SAD. As such, the purpose of the current study was to determine whether connectivity among key units of reward neurocircuitry meaningfully relate to PA and whether these key units are more heterogeneous in SAD as compared to controls. METHODS Thirty-one participants who met diagnostic criteria for SAD and 33 control participants were included (Mage = 24.8, SD = 6.9; 55% cisgender man). Seed-based timeseries correlations were conducted in NiTime to extract region of interest (ROI) coupling correlation strength values. ANOVAs were carried out to assess whether individuals with SAD differed in ROI-to-ROI connectivity strength as compared to controls. Correlations and variance analyses were also conducted to examine the relationship between ROI-to-ROI connectivity strength and PA, as well as heterogeneity in connectivity strength and PA expression. RESULTS Weaker connectivity between the left and right orbital frontal cortex was observed when comparing the SAD to the control group. Within the SAD group, PA was associated with several reward-related ROI couplings; however, these links were not observed among controls. Results further demonstrated that individuals with SAD had significantly more variability in reward connectivity strength as compared to controls. CONCLUSION Overall, these results provide emergent evidence for the association between reward regions and PA in individuals with SAD. Additionally, these findings show that individuals with SAD demonstrate greater heterogeneity in reward connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John A. Richey
- Department of PsychologyVirginia TechBlacksburgVirginia
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPennsylvania
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Baez S, Tangarife MA, Davila-Mejia G, Trujillo-Güiza M, Forero DA. Performance in emotion recognition and theory of mind tasks in social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1192683. [PMID: 37275989 PMCID: PMC10235477 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1192683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Social cognition impairments may be associated with poor functional outcomes, symptoms, and disability in social anxiety disorder (SAD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This meta-analysis aims to determine if emotion recognition and theory of mind (ToM) are impaired in SAD or GAD compared to healthy controls. A systematic review was conducted in electronic databases (PubMed, PsycNet, and Web of Science) to retrieve studies assessing emotion recognition and/or ToM in patients with SAD or GAD, compared to healthy controls, up to March 2022. Meta-analyses using random-effects models were conducted. We identified 21 eligible studies: 13 reported emotion recognition and 10 ToM outcomes, with 585 SAD patients, 178 GAD patients, and 753 controls. Compared to controls, patients with SAD exhibited impairments in emotion recognition (SMD = -0.32, CI = -0.47 - -0.16, z = -3.97, p < 0.0001) and ToM (SMD = -0.44, CI = -0.83 -0.04, z = -2.18, p < 0.01). Results for GAD were inconclusive due to the limited number of studies meeting the inclusion criteria (two for each domain). Relevant demographic and clinical variables (age, sex, education level, and anxiety scores) were not significantly correlated with emotion recognition or ToM impairments in SAD and GAD. Further studies employing ecological measures with larger and homogenous samples are needed to better delineate the factors influencing social cognition outcomes in both SAD and GAD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Diego A. Forero
- School of Health and Sport Sciences, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina, Bogotá, Colombia
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Jystad I, Bjerkeset O, Haugan T, Sund ER, Vaag J. Corrigendum: Sociodemographic correlates and mental health comorbidities in adolescents with social anxiety: the Young-HUNT3 study, Norway. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1163212. [PMID: 37275724 PMCID: PMC10234119 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1163212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.663161.].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingunn Jystad
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ottar Bjerkeset
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
- Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tommy Haugan
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
| | - Erik R. Sund
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, HUNT Research Centre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Levanger, Norway
| | - Jonas Vaag
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Science, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Horigome T, Yoshida S, Tanikawa T, Mimura M, Kishimoto T. Modification of the therapist's facial expressions using virtual reality technology during the treatment of social anxiety disorder: a case series. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1030050. [PMID: 37255521 PMCID: PMC10225735 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1030050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure therapy is a mainstream of treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD). However, effort and time are required to recreate interpersonal situations that produce moderate anxiety. On the other hand, virtual reality exposure therapy can easily control anxiety-inducing conditions and allow for graduated exposure. However, artificial intelligence and animations that speak as naturally as actual humans are not yet practical, adding to the limitations of these treatments. The authors propose the use of a virtual reality technology that can transform facial expressions into smiling or sad faces in real time and display them on a monitor, potentially solving the above-mentioned problems associated with virtual reality animations. This feasibility study was conducted to determine whether this system can be safely applied to the treatment of SAD patients. A total of four SAD patients received 16 exposure therapy sessions led by an experienced therapist over a monitor; throughout the sessions, the facial expressions of the therapist were modified using software to display expressions ranging from smiling to sad on the monitor that was being viewed by the patient. Client satisfaction, treatment alliance, and symptom assessments were then conducted. Although one patient dropped out of the study, treatment satisfaction and treatment alliance were scored high in all the cases. In two of the four cases, the improvement in symptoms was sustained over time. Exposure therapy in which the interviewer's facial expressions are modified to induce appropriate levels of anxiety in the patient can be safely used for the treatment of SAD patients and may be effective for some patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiro Horigome
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Psychiatry, Shonan Keiiku Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shigeo Yoshida
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- OMRON SINIC X Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Tanikawa
- Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Research Center, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taishiro Kishimoto
- Hills Joint Research Laboratory for Future Preventive Medicine and Wellness, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, New York, NY, United States
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Rassaby M, Smith T, Taylor CT. Examining Safety Behavior Subtypes Across Distinct Social Contexts in Social Anxiety Disorder and Major Depression. Behav Ther 2023; 54:572-583. [PMID: 37088511 PMCID: PMC10846675 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
People with social anxiety disorder (SAD) use different types of safety behaviors that have been classified as avoidance vs. impression management. The current study investigated differences in safety behavior subtype use in 132 individuals with principal diagnoses of social anxiety disorder (SAD, n = 69), major depressive disorder (MDD, n = 30), and nonpatient controls (n = 33) across two social contexts: an interpersonal relationship-building task (social affiliation) and a speech task (social performance). We examined whether diagnostic groups differed in safety behavior subtype use and whether group differences varied by social context. We also explored relationships between avoidance and impression management safety behaviors, respectively, and positive and negative valence affective and behavioral outcomes within the social affiliation and social performance contexts. Safety behavior use varied by diagnosis (SAD > MDD > nonpatient controls). The effect of diagnosis on impression management safety behavior use depended on social context: use was comparable for the principal SAD and MDD groups in the social performance context, whereas the SAD group used more impression management safety behaviors than the MDD group in the social affiliation context. Greater use of avoidance safety behaviors related to higher negative affect and anxious behaviors, and lower positive affect and approach behaviors across contexts. Impression management safety behaviors were most strongly associated with higher positive affect and approach behaviors within the social performance context. These findings underscore the potential value of assessing safety behavior subtypes across different contexts and within major depression, in addition to SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Rassaby
- San Diego State University/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology
| | | | - Charles T Taylor
- San Diego State University/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology; University of California San Diego.
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Zhu X, Lazarov A, Dolan S, Bar-Haim Y, Dillon DG, Pizzagalli DA, Schneier F. Resting state connectivity predictors of symptom change during gaze-contingent music reward therapy of social anxiety disorder. Psychol Med 2023; 53:3115-3123. [PMID: 35314008 PMCID: PMC9612546 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721005171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is common, first-line treatments are often only partially effective, and reliable predictors of treatment response are lacking. Here, we assessed resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) at pre-treatment and during early treatment as a potential predictor of response to a novel attention bias modification procedure, gaze-contingent music reward therapy (GC-MRT). METHODS Thirty-two adults with SAD were treated with GC-MRT. rsFC was assessed with multi-voxel pattern analysis of fMRI at pre-treatment and after 2-3 weeks. For comparison, 20 healthy control (HC) participants without treatment were assessed twice for rsFC over the same time period. All SAD participants underwent clinical evaluation at pre-treatment, early-treatment (week 2-3), and post-treatment. RESULTS SAD and depressive symptoms improved significantly from pre-treatment to post-treatment. After 2-3 weeks of treatment, decreased connectivity between the executive control network (ECN) and salience network (SN), and increased connectivity within the ECN predicted improvement in SAD and depressive symptoms at week 8. Increased connectivity between the ECN and default mode network (DMN) predicted greater improvement in SAD but not depressive symptoms at week 8. Connectivity within the DMN decreased significantly after 2-3 weeks of treatment in the SAD group, while no changes were found in HC over the same time interval. CONCLUSION We identified early changes in rsFC during a course of GC-MRT for SAD that predicted symptom change. Connectivity changes within the ECN, ECN-DMN, and ECN-SN may be related to mechanisms underlying the clinical effects of GC-MRT and warrant further study in controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA
| | - Amit Lazarov
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Sarah Dolan
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA
| | - Yair Bar-Haim
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniel G Dillon
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Diego A Pizzagalli
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
| | - Franklin Schneier
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA
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42
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Edelmann S, Wiegand A, Hentrich T, Pasche S, Schulze-Hentrich JM, Munk MHJ, Fallgatter AJ, Kreifelts B, Nieratschker V. Blood transcriptome analysis suggests an indirect molecular association of early life adversities and adult social anxiety disorder by immune-related signal transduction. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1125553. [PMID: 37181876 PMCID: PMC10168183 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1125553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by severe fear in social situations and avoidance of these. Multiple genetic as well as environmental factors contribute to the etiopathology of SAD. One of the main risk factors for SAD is stress, especially during early periods of life (early life adversity; ELA). ELA leads to structural and regulatory alterations contributing to disease vulnerability. This includes the dysregulation of the immune response. However, the molecular link between ELA and the risk for SAD in adulthood remains largely unclear. Evidence is emerging that long-lasting changes of gene expression patterns play an important role in the biological mechanisms linking ELA and SAD. Therefore, we conducted a transcriptome study of SAD and ELA performing RNA sequencing in peripheral blood samples. Analyzing differential gene expression between individuals suffering from SAD with high or low levels of ELA and healthy individuals with high or low levels of ELA, 13 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with respect to SAD while no significant differences in expression were identified with respect to ELA. The most significantly expressed gene was MAPK3 (p = 0.003) being upregulated in the SAD group compared to control individuals. In contrary, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified only modules significantly associated with ELA (p ≤ 0.05), not with SAD. Furthermore, analyzing interaction networks of the genes from the ELA-associated modules and the SAD-related MAPK3 revealed complex interactions of those genes. Gene functional enrichment analyses indicate a role of signal transduction pathways as well as inflammatory responses supporting an involvement of the immune system in the association of ELA and SAD. In conclusion, we did not identify a direct molecular link between ELA and adult SAD by transcriptional changes. However, our data indicate an indirect association of ELA and SAD mediated by the interaction of genes involved in immune-related signal transduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Edelmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ariane Wiegand
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Max Planck Fellow Group Precision Psychiatry, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Hentrich
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Genetics and Epigenetics, Faculty NT, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Sarah Pasche
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Julia Maria Schulze-Hentrich
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Genetics and Epigenetics, Faculty NT, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Matthias H. J. Munk
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Andreas J. Fallgatter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Kreifelts
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Vanessa Nieratschker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Lucherini Angeletti L, Scalabrini A, Ricca V, Northoff G. Topography of the Anxious Self: Abnormal Rest-Task Modulation in Social Anxiety Disorder. Neuroscientist 2023; 29:221-244. [PMID: 34282680 DOI: 10.1177/10738584211030497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterized by social anxiety/fear, self-attention, and interoception. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrate increased activity during symptom-sensitive tasks in regions of the default-mode network (DMN), amygdala (AMG), and salience network (SN). What is the source of this task-unspecific symptom-sensitive hyperactivity in DMN? We address this question by probing SAD resting state (rs) changes in DMN including their relation to other regions as possible source of task-unspecific hyperactivity in the same regions. Our findings show the following: (1) rs-hypoconnectivity within-DMN regions; (2) rs-hyperconnectivity between DMN and AMG/SN; (3) task-evoked hyperactivity in the abnormal rs-regions of DMN and AMG/SN during different symptom-sensitive tasks; (4) negative relationship of rest and task changes in especially anterior DMN regions as their rs-hypoconnectivity is accompanied by task-unspecific hyperactivity; (5) abnormal top-down/bottom-up modulation between anterior DMN regions and AMG during rest and task. Findings demonstrate that rs-hypoconnectivity among DMN regions is negatively related to task-unspecific hyperactivity in DMN and AMG/SN. We propose a model of "Topography of the Anxious Self" in SAD (TAS-SAD). Abnormal DMN-AMG/SN topography during rest, as trait feature of an "unstable social self", is abnormally aggravated during SAD-sensitive situations resulting in task-related hyperactivity in the same regions with an "anxious self" as state feature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Scalabrini
- Department of Psychological Health and Territorial Sciences (DiSPuTer), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Valdo Ricca
- Psychiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Georg Northoff
- Mental Health Centre, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Centre for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.,The Royal's Institute of Mental Health Research & University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Neural Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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44
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Gros DF, Allan NP, Koscinski B, Keller S, Acierno R. Influence of comorbid social anxiety disorder in PTSD treatment outcomes for Prolonged Exposure in female military sexual trauma survivors with PTSD. J Clin Psychol 2023; 79:1039-1050. [PMID: 36399326 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric disorder that frequently presents alongside other comorbid diagnoses. Although several evidence-based psychotherapies have been well-studied for PTSD, limited research has focused on the influence of diagnostic comorbidity on their outcomes. The present study sought to investigate the influence of comorbid social anxiety disorder on treatment outcomes in patients with PTSD. METHODS One hundred and twelve treatment-seeking female veteran participants with PTSD completed baseline assessments and received 12-15 sessions of Prolonged Exposure. Symptom measures were completed biweekly as well as at immediate posttreatment, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups. RESULTS Thirty (26.8%) participants seeking PTSD treatment also met diagnostic criteria for social anxiety disorder. Multilevel modeling was used to examine effects of social anxiety disorder diagnosis on post-intervention symptoms and revealed significantly worse outcomes for symptoms of PTSD and depression in participants with comorbid PTSD and social anxiety disorder. CONCLUSION Consistent with previous studies of co-occurring PTSD and depression, present findings suggest that comorbid diagnoses may adversely affect disorder-specific treatment outcomes. As such, the presence of diagnostic comorbidity may merit further consideration and potential adaptions to the traditional, disorder-specific assessment and treatment practices for PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Gros
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Nicholas P Allan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,VA Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention, VA Finger Lakes Healthcare System Canandaigua, New York, USA
| | | | - Stephanie Keller
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Ron Acierno
- Mental Health Service, Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.,Louis Faillace Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA
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45
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Hampsey E, Perkins A, Young AH. BNC210: an investigational α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulator for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:277-282. [PMID: 36927202 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2192922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anxiety disorders are common, disabling psychiatric conditions associated with excessive worry, irritability, and physiological symptoms of stress. Following insufficient response to psychological therapies, first-line pharmacological treatments for anxiety disorders suffer from inconsistent efficacy, addiction, and intolerable side-effect profiles (e.g. sedation), especially when used inappropriately or contrary to evidence-based guidelines. Developing anxiolytics acting via cholinergic modulation may provide novel options for the treatment of anxiety disorders, without the drawbacks of existing anxiolytics. AREAS COVERED We review pharmacological treatment of anxiety disorders and proposed mechanisms of action in relation to the associated neural circuitry. We then consider the mechanism of action, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of the negative-allosteric modulator of the alpha7 nicotinic receptor BNC210, an investigational anxiolytic so far employed in studies of those with social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and agitation in hospitalized elderly. Lastly, we consider the environment of competitor compounds for this indication, and BNC210's place within it, in both the present and near-future. EXPERT OPINION : There is a relative paucity of data regarding BNC210, albeit the small amount of mostly non-peer reviewed data indicate it is a well-tolerated, effective anxiolytic. Phase III trials are required for proper appraisal of its utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot Hampsey
- Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Adam Perkins
- Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Allan H Young
- Centre for Affective Disorders, King's College London, London, UK.,South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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46
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Chen Y, Yang X, Zhang X, Cao H, Gong Q. Altered single-subject gray matter structural networks in social anxiety disorder. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:3311-3317. [PMID: 36562992 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous fMRI studies have reported more random brain functional graph configurations in social anxiety disorder (SAD). However, it is still unclear whether the same configurations would occur in gray matter (GM) graphs. Structural MRI was performed on 49 patients with SAD and on 51 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HC). Single-subject GM networks were obtained based on the areal similarities of GM, and network topological properties were analyzed using graph theory. Group differences in each topological metric were compared, and the structure-function coupling was examined. These network measures were further correlated with the clinical characteristics in the SAD group. Compared with controls, the SAD patients demonstrated globally decreased clustering coefficient and characteristic path length. Altered topological properties were found in the fronto-limbic and sensory processing systems. Altered metrics were associated with the illness duration of SAD. Compared with the HC group, the SAD group exhibited significantly decreased structural-functional decoupling. Furthermore, structural-functional decoupling was negatively correlated with the symptom severity in SAD. These findings highlight less-optimized topological configuration of the brain structural networks in SAD, which may provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying the excessive fear and avoidance of social interactions in SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 640041, China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 640041, China
| | - Xun Yang
- School of Public Affairs, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Xun Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 640041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 640041, China
| | - Hengyi Cao
- Center for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Division of Psychiatry Research, Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, NY, United States
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Department of Radiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 640041, China
- Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, Fujian 361000, China
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Caldiroli A, Capuzzi E, Tagliabue I, Ledda L, Clerici M, Buoli M. New frontiers in the pharmacological treatment of social anxiety disorder in adults: an up-to-date comprehensive overview. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2023; 24:207-219. [PMID: 36519357 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2022.2159373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is associated with scarce functioning and poor quality of life. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are currently first-line treatments, side effects are common and affect treatment compliance in approximately 50% of patients. This review aimed to summarize data on the efficacy of unlabeled molecules for SAD treatment. AREAS COVERED Research in the main psychiatric databases was conducted (PubMed, PsychINFO, and EMBASE-Ovid) to select studies investigating the efficacy of marketed molecules not labeled for SAD treatment. EXPERT OPINION Pregabalin at high doses (450-600 mg/day) appears to be a reliable alternative strategy for SAD treatment. Among the SSRIs not labeled for SAD, citalopram showed the most promising results. Quetiapine, levetiracetam, and other antidepressants/serotonergic agents, such as fluoxetine, duloxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclics, mirtazapine, atomoxetine, nefazodone, vilazodone, and buspirone, presented negative, limited, or contrasting results. Data on anticonvulsants, olanzapine, tiagabine, and ketamine were positive, but preliminary. The risk/benefit ratio must be considered in the prescription of unlabeled compounds; treatment with pregabalin may be associated with somnolence and dizziness. Future research may contribute to the identification of targeted molecules for the treatment of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Caldiroli
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, ASST Monza, Monza, Italy
| | - Enrico Capuzzi
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, ASST Monza, Monza, Italy
| | - Ilaria Tagliabue
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Luisa Ledda
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Massimo Clerici
- Department of Mental Health and Addiction, ASST Monza, Monza, Italy.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Buoli
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Baroni D, Caccico L, Ciandri S, Di Gesto C, Di Leonardo L, Fiesoli A, Grassi E, Lauretta F, Lebruto A, Marsigli N, Policardo GR, Rosadoni M, Chiorri C. Measurement invariance of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self-Report. J Clin Psychol 2023; 79:391-414. [PMID: 35809258 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self Report (LSAS-SR) is a self-report measure of social anxiety (SA), which has shown adequate psychometric properties across cultures. However, no study has systematically evaluated its measurement invariance (MI) between (a) individuals with and without a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and (b) males and females. The current study addresses this issue. METHODS We collected data on 257 (158 females) Italian individuals diagnosed with SAD and 356 (232 females) community-dwelling adults. RESULTS We initially found support for the unidimensionality of the Italian LSAS-SR measurement model in all samples. Using the Graded Response Model, we obtained evidence of partial MI and differential item functioning between community-dwelling and SAD-diagnosed individuals and evidence of strong MI between male and female participants. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that the Italian LSAS-SR measures the same trait in the same way across the symptom continuum and sexes, making it a psychometrically sound tool for assessment, screening, and research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duccio Baroni
- Department of Education, Languages, Intercultures, Literatures and Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Caccico
- Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Ciandri
- Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Cristian Di Gesto
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Di Leonardo
- Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Alice Fiesoli
- Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Grassi
- Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Lauretta
- Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Antonella Lebruto
- Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Nicola Marsigli
- Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Rosa Policardo
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Martina Rosadoni
- Institute of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology and Psychotherapy, Florence, Italy
| | - Carlo Chiorri
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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Chowdhury N, Khandoker AH. The gold-standard treatment for social anxiety disorder: A roadmap for the future. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1070975. [PMID: 36755980 PMCID: PMC9901528 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1070975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure therapy (ET), which follows the Pavlovian extinction model, is regarded as the gold-standard treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD). The prospect of virtual reality in lieu of a traditional laboratory setting for the treatment of SAD has not been rigorously explored. The aim of the review was to summarize, find gaps in the current literature, and formulate future research direction by identifying two broad research questions: the comparative efficacy between in vivo ET and virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) and the effectiveness of the Pavlovian extinction model in treating SAD. The criteria for effectiveness were effect size, relapse prevention, attrition rate and ecological validity. A literature search on recent randomized controlled trials yielded a total of 6 original studies (N=358), excluding duplication and overlapping participants. All studies supported that VRET was as effective as in vivo ET. Behavioral therapy that follows classical conditioning principles has a high attrition and relapse rate. Comparisons were drawn between the efficacy of the Pavlovian extinction model and other existing models, including third-wave approaches. The neural markers are suggested to be included as efficacy measures in treating SAD. The gold-standard treatment for SAD requires a paradigm shift through rigorous longitudinal comparative studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayeefa Chowdhury
- School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Nayeefa Chowdhury, ✉
| | - Ahsan H. Khandoker
- Healthcare Engineering Innovation Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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50
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Ni W, Lu H, Wang Q, Song C, Yi L. Vigilance or avoidance: How do autistic traits and social anxiety modulate attention to the eyes? Front Neurosci 2023; 16:1081769. [PMID: 36711128 PMCID: PMC9876610 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1081769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Social anxiety disorder (SAD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are highly overlapping in symptoms and have a high rate of comorbidity, posing challenges in diagnosis and intervention for both disorders. Both disorders are linked to abnormal attention to the eyes, yet how they interactively modulate the attentional process to the eyes remains unclear. Methods In this study, we explored how autistic traits and social anxiety in college students separately and together affected different temporal stages of attention to the eyes. Participants were instructed to view virtual faces for 10 s and make an emotional judgment, while their eye movements were recorded. Results We found that social anxiety and autistic traits affected different temporal stages of eye-looking. Social anxiety only affected the first fixation duration on the eyes, while autistic traits were associated with eye avoidance at several time points in the later stage. More importantly, we found an interactive effect of autistic traits and social anxiety on the initial attention to the eyes: Among people scoring high on autistic traits, social anxiety was related to an early avoidance of the eyes as well as attention maintenance once fixated on the eyes. Discussion Our study suggests the separate and interactive roles of social anxiety and autistic traits in attention to the eyes. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of social attention in both SAD and ASD and highlights the application of psychiatric diagnoses using eye-tracking techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ni
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Haoyang Lu
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiandong Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China,Education Research Center for Children With ASD, Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Ci Song
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Yi
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China,IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at PKU, Peking University, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Li Yi,
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