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Bustamante J, Soto M, Miguez G, Quezada-Scholz VE, Angulo R, Laborda MA. Extinction in multiple contexts reduces the return of extinguished responses: A multilevel meta-analysis. Learn Behav 2023:10.3758/s13420-023-00609-w. [PMID: 38010486 DOI: 10.3758/s13420-023-00609-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Extinguished responses have been shown to reappear under several circumstances, and this reappearance is considered to model behaviors such as relapse after exposure therapy. Conducting extinction in multiple contexts has been explored as a technique to decrease the recovery of extinguished responses. The present meta-analysis aimed to examine whether extinction in multiple contexts can consistently reduce the recovery of extinguished responses. After searching in several databases, experiments were included in the analysis if they presented extinction in multiple contexts, an experimental design, and an adequate statistical report. Cohen's d was obtained for each critical comparison and weighted to obtain the sample's average weighted effect size. Analyses were then performed using a multilevel meta-analytic approach. Twenty-five studies were included, with a total sample of 37 experiments or critical comparisons. The analyses showed a large effect size for the sample, moderated by the length of conditioned stimulus exposure, type of experimental subject, and type of recovery. The robust effect of extinction in multiple contexts on relapse should encourage clinicians to consider extinction in multiple contexts as a useful technique in therapy and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Bustamante
- Institute of Social Sciences, Universidad de O'Higgins, Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 611, Rancagua, Chile
| | - Marcela Soto
- School of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Miguez
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de Chile, Av. Ignacio Carrera Pinto 1045, Ñuñoa, 7800284, Santiago, Chile
| | - Vanetza E Quezada-Scholz
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de Chile, Av. Ignacio Carrera Pinto 1045, Ñuñoa, 7800284, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rocío Angulo
- Institute of Social Sciences, Universidad de O'Higgins, Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 611, Rancagua, Chile
| | - Mario A Laborda
- Department of Psychology, Universidad de Chile, Av. Ignacio Carrera Pinto 1045, Ñuñoa, 7800284, Santiago, Chile.
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2
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Jentsch VL, Wolf OT, Otto T, Merz CJ. The impact of physical exercise on the consolidation of fear extinction memories. Psychophysiology 2023; 60:e14373. [PMID: 37350416 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Based on the mechanisms of fear extinction, exposure therapy is the most common treatment for anxiety disorders. However, extinguished fear responses can reemerge even after successful treatment. Novel interventions enhancing exposure therapy efficacy are therefore critically needed. Physical exercise improves learning and memory and was also shown to enhance extinction processes. This study tested whether physical exercise following fear extinction training improves the consolidation of extinction memories. Sixty healthy men underwent a differential fearconditioning paradigm with fear acquisition training on day 1 and fear extinction training followed by an exercise or resting control intervention on day 2. On day 3, retrieval and reinstatement were tested including two additional but perceptually similar stimuli to explore the generalization of exercise effects. Exercise significantly increased heart rate, salivary alpha amylase, and cortisol, indicating successful exercise manipulation. Contrary to our expectations, exercise did not enhance but rather impaired extinction memory retrieval on the next day, evidenced by significantly stronger differential skin conductance responses (SCRs) and pupil dilation (PD). Importantly, although conditioned fear responses were successfully acquired, they did not fully extinguish, explaining why exercise might have boosted the consolidation of the original fear memory trace instead. Additionally, stronger differential SCRs and PD toward the novel stimuli suggest that the memory enhancing effects of exercise also generalized to perceptually similar stimuli. Together, these findings indicate that physical exercise can facilitate both the long-term retrievability and generalization of extinction memories, but presumably only when extinction was successful in the first place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie L Jentsch
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Oliver T Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Tobias Otto
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christian J Merz
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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3
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Larsen JK, Hollands GJ, Garland EL, Evers AWM, Wiers RW. Be more mindful: Targeting addictive responses by integrating mindfulness with cognitive bias modification or cue exposure interventions. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105408. [PMID: 37758008 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
This review provides an overview of the most prominent neurocognitive effects of cognitive bias modification (CBM), cue-exposure therapy and mindfulness interventions for targeting addictive responses. It highlights the key insights that have stemmed from cognitive neuroscience and brain imaging research and combines these with insights from behavioural science in building a conceptual model integrating mindfulness with response-focused CBM or cue-exposure interventions. This furthers our understanding of whether and how mindfulness strategies may i) facilitate or add to the induced response-focused effects decreasing cue-induced craving, and ii) further weaken the link between craving and addictive responses. Specifically, awareness/monitoring may facilitate, and decentering may add to, response-focused effects. Combined awareness acceptance strategies may also diminish the craving-addiction link. The conceptual model presented in this review provides a specific theoretical framework to deepen our understanding of how mindfulness strategies and CBM or cue-exposure interventions can be combined to greatest effect. This is important in both suggesting a roadmap for future research, and for the further development of clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junilla K Larsen
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Gareth J Hollands
- EPPI Centre, UCL Social Research Institute, University College London, UK
| | - Eric L Garland
- Center on Mindfulness and Integrative Health Intervention Development, College of Social Work, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Andrea W M Evers
- Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, NL, and Medical Delta, Leiden University, TU Delft and Erasmus University, UK
| | - Reinout W Wiers
- Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-lab, Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam and Centre for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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4
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Zilcha-Mano S, Duek O, Suarez-Jimenez B, Zhu X, Lazarov A, Helpman L, Korem N, Malka M, Harpaz-Rotem I, Neria Y. Underlying Hippocampal Mechanism of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Outcome: Evidence From Two Clinical Trials. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 3:867-874. [PMID: 37881552 PMCID: PMC10593870 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The hippocampus plays an important role in the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its prognosis. Accumulating findings suggest that individuals with larger pretreatment hippocampal volume are more likely to benefit from PTSD treatment, but the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown. We investigated whether further increase in hippocampal volume during treatment explains the better prognosis of individuals with greater pretreatment hippocampal volume. Methods We collected structural magnetic resonance imagesfrom patients with PTSD before and after treatment. We examined whether larger hippocampal volume moderates the effect of increased hippocampal volume during treatment on symptom reduction. Given the relatively small sample sizes of treatment studies with pre- and posttreatment magnetic resonance imaging, we focused on effect sizes and sought to replicate findings in an external sample. We tested our hypothesis in study 1 (N = 38; prolonged exposure therapy) and then tested whether the results could be externally replicated in study 2 (N = 20; ketamine infusion followed by exposure therapy). Results Findings from study 1 revealed that increased right hippocampal volume during treatment was associated with greater PTSD symptom reduction only in patients with greater pretreatment right hippocampal volume (p = .03; η2 = 0.13, a large effect). Findings were partially replicated in study 2 for depressive symptoms (p = .034; η2 = 0.25, a very large effect) and for PTSD symptoms (p = .15; η2 = 0.15, a large effect). Conclusions Elucidating increased hippocampal volume as one of the neural mechanisms predictive of therapeutic outcome for individuals with larger pretreatment hippocampal volume may help identify clinical targets for this subgroup.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Or Duek
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | - Xi Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
| | - Amit Lazarov
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Liat Helpman
- Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Haifa, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nachshon Korem
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- National Center for PTSD, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Michal Malka
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ilan Harpaz-Rotem
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- National Center for PTSD, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Yuval Neria
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York
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5
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Boddez Y, Scheveneels S, Van Dessel P. Let's play pretend: Towards effective modelling in experimental psycho(patho)logy. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2023; 80:101809. [PMID: 37247975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2022.101809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Models are omnipresent in science. We introduce a novel framework to achieve more effective modelling practices in general psychology and experimental psychopathology. METHOD We analyze three types of models that are common in psychology: laboratory models, computational models, and cognitive models. We then evaluate two common ways to assess the translational value of models (phenomenological similarity and deep similarity) as well as an arguably underappreciated way (functional similarity). Functional similarity is based on an assessment of whether variables (e.g., the administration of a pharmacological substance) have a similar effect (a) in the model (e.g., in a fear conditioning procedure) and (b) on the real-life target phenomenon (e.g., on real-life anxiety complaints). CONCLUSIONS We argue that the assessment of functional similarity is a powerful tool to assess the translational value of models in the field of experimental psychopathology and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannick Boddez
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium.
| | - Sara Scheveneels
- Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, Heerlen, the Netherlands; Center for the Psychology of Learning and Experimental Psychopathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pieter Van Dessel
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium
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6
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Dewitte M, Meulders A. Fear Learning in Genital Pain: Toward a Biopsychosocial, Ecologically Valid Research and Treatment Model. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2023; 60:768-785. [PMID: 36648251 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2022.2164242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although fear learning mechanisms are implicated in the development, maintenance, exacerbation, and reduction of genital pain, systematic research on how fear of genital pain emerges, spreads, persists, and reemerges after treatment is lacking. This paper provides an overview of the literature on pain-related fear, integrates the ideas on learning and sexual arousal responding, and specifies the pathways through which compromised learning may contribute to the development and persistence of genital pain. In order to refine theories of genital pain and optimize treatments, we need to adopt a biopsychosocial framework to pain-related fear learning and uncover potential moderators that shape individual trajectories. This involves examining the role of physiological processes, subjective experiences, as well as partner and relational cues in fear acquisition, excessive generalization and impaired safety learning, extinction of fear, counterconditioning, and return of fear. Recent methodological advances in fear conditioning and sex research are promising to enable more symptom-specific and ecologically valid experimental paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Dewitte
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University
| | - Ann Meulders
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University
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7
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Picó-Pérez M, Fullana MA, Albajes-Eizagirre A, Vega D, Marco-Pallarés J, Vilar A, Chamorro J, Felmingham KL, Harrison BJ, Radua J, Soriano-Mas C. Neural predictors of cognitive-behavior therapy outcome in anxiety-related disorders: a meta-analysis of task-based fMRI studies. Psychol Med 2023; 53:3387-3395. [PMID: 35916600 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721005444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is a well-established first-line intervention for anxiety-related disorders, including specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder/agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Several neural predictors of CBT outcome for anxiety-related disorders have been proposed, but previous results are inconsistent. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies investigating whole-brain predictors of CBT outcome in anxiety-related disorders (17 studies, n = 442). RESULTS Across different tasks, we observed that brain response in a network of regions involved in salience and interoception processing, encompassing fronto-insular (the right inferior frontal gyrus-anterior insular cortex) and fronto-limbic (the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex-dorsal anterior cingulate cortex) cortices was strongly associated with a positive CBT outcome. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that there are robust neural predictors of CBT outcome in anxiety-related disorders that may eventually lead (probably in combination with other data) to develop personalized approaches for the treatment of these mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Picó-Pérez
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Miquel A Fullana
- Adult Psychiatry and Psychology Department, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
- Imaging of Mood- and Anxiety-Related Disorders (IMARD) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anton Albajes-Eizagirre
- Imaging of Mood- and Anxiety-Related Disorders (IMARD) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
- Opticks Security, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Vega
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Department, Consorci Sanitari de l'Anoia & Fundació Sanitària d'Igualada, Igualada, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat de Psicologia Mèdica, Departament de Psiquiatria i Medicina Legal & Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Marco-Pallarés
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Vilar
- Institut de Neuropsiquiatria i Addiccions, Hospital de Dia Infanto Juvenil Litoral Mar, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jacobo Chamorro
- Anxiety Unit, Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addictions, Parc de Salut Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kim L Felmingham
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ben J Harrison
- Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, The University of Melbourne and Melbourne Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joaquim Radua
- Imaging of Mood- and Anxiety-Related Disorders (IMARD) Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatric Research and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Carles Soriano-Mas
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology of Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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8
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Melles H, Duijvis S, Jansen A. Inhibitory Learning during Exposure Treatment in Anorexia Nervosa: A Practical Guide. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:bs13050370. [PMID: 37232607 DOI: 10.3390/bs13050370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure therapy is known to be an effective intervention in the treatment of anxiety-related disorders. In eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, anxiety and avoidance are identified as maintenance factors. Therefore, they may constitute an important treatment target, suitable for the use of exposure therapy. Remarkably, exposure techniques to target fears and avoidance behaviors are not commonly used in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. We present a practical guide for the implementation of exposure therapy in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. We outline how exposure therapy is supposed to work according to the inhibitory learning model and how the exposure intervention can be designed for individuals with anorexia nervosa. Practical examples are provided through the case presentation of a patient with anorexia nervosa who completed 31 exposure sessions that focused on her fears of food, eating, weight, weight gain, their feared social consequences and the associated safety behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Melles
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Duijvis
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Anita Jansen
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
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9
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Using expectation violation models to improve the outcome of psychological treatments. Clin Psychol Rev 2022; 98:102212. [PMID: 36371900 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Expectations are a central maintaining mechanism in mental disorders and most psychological treatments aim to directly or indirectly modify clinically relevant expectations. Therefore, it is crucial to examine why patients with mental disorders maintain dysfunctional expectations, even in light of disconfirming evidence, and how expectation-violating situations should be created in treatment settings to optimize treatment outcome and reduce the risk of treatment failures. The different psychological subdisciplines offer various approaches for understanding the underlying mechanisms of expectation development, persistence, and change. Here, we convey recommendations on how to improve psychological treatments by considering these different perspectives. Based on our expectation violation model, we argue that the outcome of expectation violation depends on several characteristics: features of the expectation-violating situation; the dynamics between the magnitude of expectation violation and cognitive immunization processes; dealing with uncertainties during and after expectation change; controlled and automatic attention processes; and the costs of expectation changes. Personality factors further add to predict outcomes and may offer a basis for personalized treatment planning. We conclude with a list of recommendations derived from basic psychology that could contribute to improved treatment outcome and to reduced risks of treatment failures.
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10
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Hoppe JM, Vegelius J, Gingnell M, Björkstrand J, Frick A. Internet-delivered approach-avoidance conflict task shows temporal stability and relation to trait anxiety. LEARNING AND MOTIVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lmot.2022.101848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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11
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Boosting psychological change: Combining non-invasive brain stimulation with psychotherapy. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104867. [PMID: 36122739 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mental health disorders and substance use disorders are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and one of the most important challenges for public health systems. While evidence-based psychotherapy is generally pursued to address mental health challenges, psychological change is often hampered by non-adherence to treatments, relapses, and practical barriers (e.g., time, cost). In recent decades, Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques have emerged as promising tools to directly target dysfunctional neural circuitry and promote long-lasting plastic changes. While the therapeutic efficacy of NIBS protocols for mental illnesses has been established, neuromodulatory interventions might also be employed to support the processes activated by psychotherapy. Indeed, combining psychotherapy with NIBS might help tailor the treatment to the patient's unique characteristics and therapeutic goal, and would allow more direct control of the neuronal changes induced by therapy. Herein, we overview emerging evidence on the use of NIBS to enhance the psychotherapeutic effect, while highlighting the next steps in advancing clinical and research methods toward personalized intervention approaches.
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12
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Zoellner LA, Lehinger BA, Rosencrans PL, Cornell-Maier SM, Foa EB, Telch MJ, Gonzalez-Lima F, Bedard-Gilligan MA. Brief Imaginal Exposure for PTSD: Trajectories of Change in Distress. COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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13
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Quezada-Scholz VE, Laborda MA, San Martín C, Miguez G, Alfaro F, Mallea J, Díaz F. Cued fear conditioning in humans using immersive Virtual Reality. LEARNING AND MOTIVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lmot.2022.101803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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14
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Abend R, Burk D, Ruiz SG, Gold AL, Napoli JL, Britton JC, Michalska KJ, Shechner T, Winkler AM, Leibenluft E, Pine DS, Averbeck BB. Computational modeling of threat learning reveals links with anxiety and neuroanatomy in humans. eLife 2022; 11:66169. [PMID: 35473766 PMCID: PMC9197395 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Influential theories implicate variations in the mechanisms supporting threat learning in the severity of anxiety symptoms. We use computational models of associative learning in conjunction with structural imaging to explicate links among the mechanisms underlying threat learning, their neuroanatomical substrates, and anxiety severity in humans. We recorded skin-conductance data during a threat-learning task from individuals with and without anxiety disorders (N=251; 8-50 years; 116 females). Reinforcement-learning model variants quantified processes hypothesized to relate to anxiety: threat conditioning, threat generalization, safety learning, and threat extinction. We identified the best-fitting models for these processes and tested associations among latent learning parameters, whole-brain anatomy, and anxiety severity. Results indicate that greater anxiety severity related specifically to slower safety learning and slower extinction of response to safe stimuli. Nucleus accumbens gray-matter volume moderated learning-anxiety associations. Using a modeling approach, we identify computational mechanisms linking threat learning and anxiety severity and their neuroanatomical substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rany Abend
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Diana Burk
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Sonia G Ruiz
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Andrea L Gold
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, United States
| | - Julia L Napoli
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Jennifer C Britton
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, United States
| | - Kalina J Michalska
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, United States
| | - Tomer Shechner
- Psychology Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Anderson M Winkler
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Ellen Leibenluft
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
| | - Daniel S Pine
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Besthesda, United States
| | - Bruno B Averbeck
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, United States
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15
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Gatzounis R, Meulders A. Pain and avoidance: The potential benefits of imagining your best possible self. Behav Res Ther 2022; 153:104080. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2022.104080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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16
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Measuring Extinction Learning across the Lifespan – Adaptation of an optimized paradigm to closely match exposure treatment procedures. Biol Psychol 2022; 170:108311. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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17
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Labrenz F, Woud ML, Elsenbruch S, Icenhour A. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly-Chances, Challenges, and Clinical Implications of Avoidance Research in Psychosomatic Medicine. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:841734. [PMID: 35250678 PMCID: PMC8894646 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.841734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Avoidance behaviors are shaped by associative learning processes in response to fear of impending threats, particularly physical harm. As part of a defensive repertoire, avoidance is highly adaptive in case of acute danger, serving a potent protective function. However, persistent or excessive fear and maladaptive avoidance are considered key factors in the etiology and pathophysiology of anxiety- and stress-related psychosomatic disorders. In these overlapping conditions, avoidance can increase the risk of mental comorbidities and interfere with the efficacy of cognitive behavioral treatment approaches built on fear extinction. Despite resurging interest in avoidance research also in the context of psychosomatic medicine, especially in conditions associated with pain, disturbed interoception, and disorders of the gut-brain axis, current study designs and their translation into the clinical context face significant challenges limiting both, the investigation of mechanisms involved in avoidance and the development of novel targeted treatment options. We herein selectively review the conceptual framework of learning and memory processes, emphasizing how classical and operant conditioning, fear extinction, and return of fear shape avoidance behaviors. We further discuss pathological avoidance and safety behaviors as hallmark features in psychosomatic diseases, with a focus on anxiety- and stress-related disorders. Aiming to emphasize chances of improved translational knowledge across clinical conditions, we further point out limitations in current experimental avoidance research. Based on these considerations, we propose means to improve existing avoidance paradigms to broaden our understanding of underlying mechanisms, moderators and mediators of avoidance, and to inspire tailored treatments for patients suffering from psychosomatic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Labrenz
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Marcella L Woud
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Department of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sigrid Elsenbruch
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.,Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Adriane Icenhour
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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18
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Rosenberg BM, Taschereau-Dumouchel V, Lau H, Young KS, Nusslock R, Zinbarg RE, Craske MG. A Multivoxel Pattern Analysis of Anhedonia During Fear Extinction: Implications for Safety Learning. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2021; 8:417-425. [PMID: 34954395 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pavlovian learning processes are central to the etiology and treatment of anxiety disorders. Anhedonia and related perturbations in reward processes have been implicated in Pavlovian learning. Associations between anhedonia symptoms and neural indices of Pavlovian learning can inform transdiagnostic associations among depressive and anxiety disorders. METHODS Participants ages 18 to 19 years (67% female) completed a fear extinction (n = 254) and recall (n = 249) paradigm during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Symptom dimensions of general distress (common to anxiety and depression), fears (more specific to anxiety), and anhedonia-apprehension (more specific to depression) were evaluated. We trained whole-brain multivoxel pattern decoders for anhedonia-apprehension during extinction and extinction recall and tested the decoders' ability to predict anhedonia-apprehension in an external validation sample. Specificity analyses examined effects covarying for general distress and fears. Decoding was repeated within canonical brain networks to highlight candidate neurocircuitry underlying whole-brain effects. RESULTS Whole-brain decoder training succeeded during both tasks. Prediction of anhedonia-apprehension in the external validation sample was successful for extinction (R2 = 0.047; r = 0.276, p = .002) but not extinction recall (R2 < 0.001, r = -0.063, p = .492). The extinction decoder remained significantly associated with anhedonia-apprehension covarying for fears and general distress (t121 = 3.209, p = .002). Exploratory results highlighted activity in the cognitive control, default mode, limbic, salience, and visual networks related to these effects. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that patterns of brain activity during extinction, particularly in the cognitive control, default mode, limbic, salience, and visual networks, can be predictive of anhedonia symptoms. Future research should examine associations between anhedonia and extinction, including studies of exposure therapy or positive affect treatments among anhedonic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M Rosenberg
- Department of Psychology, College of Life Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Vincent Taschereau-Dumouchel
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, University of Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Hakwan Lau
- RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Katherine S Young
- Social, Genetic and Development Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Nusslock
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Richard E Zinbarg
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; Family Institute at Northwestern University, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
| | - Michelle G Craske
- Department of Psychology, College of Life Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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19
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Lippert MW, Sommer K, Flasinski T, Pflug V, Rölver A, Christiansen H, In-Albon T, Knappe S, Romanos M, Tuschen-Caffier B, Schneider S. Personalized Assessment of Anxiety and Avoidance in Children and Their Parents-Development and Evaluation of the Anxiety and Avoidance Scale for Children. Front Psychol 2021; 12:703784. [PMID: 34867587 PMCID: PMC8635988 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.703784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In treating childhood anxiety disorders, therapists use highly individualized anxiety hierarchies to assess anxiety-eliciting situations and to personalize treatment. In contrast, psychometric assessment of anxiety symptoms in children usually consists of standardized questionnaires, assessing either total anxiety or disorder-specific symptom scores, prioritizing comparability over individual information. To account for interindividual differences, the Anxiety and Avoidance Scale for Children (AVAC) was developed, following a precise, personalized, assessment approach. In responding to the questionnaire, children and parents identify the most anxiety-eliciting situations before starting treatment, and rate them for anxiety and avoidance. Ratings are repeated over the course of treatment. The aim of this study is to introduce the new questionnaire and present first data on psychometric properties. The AVAC was administered to 389 children with separation anxiety disorder (N = 148), social anxiety disorder (N = 110) or specific phobia (N = 131) aged 8 to 16 and their parents, along with other measures of anxiety and psychopathology before and after cognitive behavioral treatment. Results showed adequate to good test-retest reliability. The AVAC items correlated significantly with established anxiety questionnaires, indicating convergent construct validity. Regarding divergent construct validity, the AVAC showed only small correlations with externalizing symptoms, demonstrating its precision in measuring anxiety and avoidance. The questionnaire was also sensitive to change after treatment, with medium to large effects in the reduction of anxiety and avoidance. The present analyses suggest that the new personalized assessment approach with the AVAC is a reliable and valid assessment of individualized anxiety and avoidance, as well as change in those constructs over the course of CBT treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W. Lippert
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Katharina Sommer
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Tabea Flasinski
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Verena Pflug
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Angela Rölver
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Clinic Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Hanna Christiansen
- Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tina In-Albon
- Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Koblenz-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Susanne Knappe
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marcel Romanos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Silvia Schneider
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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20
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Pittig A, Heinig I, Goerigk S, Thiel F, Hummel K, Scholl L, Deckert J, Pauli P, Domschke K, Lueken U, Fydrich T, Fehm L, Plag J, Ströhle A, Kircher T, Straube B, Rief W, Koelkebeck K, Arolt V, Dannlowski U, Margraf J, Totzeck C, Schneider S, Neudeck P, Craske MG, Hollandt M, Richter J, Hamm A, Wittchen HU. Efficacy of temporally intensified exposure for anxiety disorders: A multicenter randomized clinical trial. Depress Anxiety 2021; 38:1169-1181. [PMID: 34293223 DOI: 10.1002/da.23204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The need to optimize exposure treatments for anxiety disorders may be addressed by temporally intensified exposure sessions. Effects on symptom reduction and public health benefits should be examined across different anxiety disorders with comorbid conditions. METHODS This multicenter randomized controlled trial compared two variants of prediction error-based exposure therapy (PeEx) in various anxiety disorders (both 12 sessions + 2 booster sessions, 100 min/session): temporally intensified exposure (PeEx-I) with exposure sessions condensed to 2 weeks (n = 358) and standard nonintensified exposure (PeEx-S) with weekly exposure sessions (n = 368). Primary outcomes were anxiety symptoms (pre, post, and 6-months follow-up). Secondary outcomes were global severity (across sessions), quality of life, disability days, and comorbid depression. RESULTS Both treatments resulted in substantial improvements at post (PeEx-I: dwithin = 1.50, PeEx-S: dwithin = 1.78) and follow-up (PeEx-I: dwithin = 2.34; PeEx-S: dwithin = 2.03). Both groups showed formally equivalent symptom reduction at post and follow-up. However, time until response during treatment was 32% shorter in PeEx-I (median = 68 days) than PeEx-S (108 days; TRPeEx-I = 0.68). Interestingly, drop-out rates were lower during intensified exposure. PeEx-I was also superior in reducing disability days and improving quality of life at follow-up without increasing relapse. CONCLUSIONS Both treatment variants focusing on the transdiagnostic exposure-based violation of threat beliefs were effective in reducing symptom severity and disability in severe anxiety disorders. Temporally intensified exposure resulted in faster treatment response with substantial public health benefits and lower drop-out during the exposure phase, without higher relapse. Clinicians can expect better or at least comparable outcomes when delivering exposure in a temporally intensified manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Pittig
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Institute of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ingmar Heinig
- Institute of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephan Goerigk
- Institute of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Freya Thiel
- Institute of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katrin Hummel
- Institute of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lucie Scholl
- Institute of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jürgen Deckert
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Paul Pauli
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Domschke
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Center for Basics in NeuroModulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Lueken
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Fydrich
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lydia Fehm
- Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens Plag
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Ströhle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tilo Kircher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy & Center for Mind Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Straube
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy & Center for Mind Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Rief
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology & Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior - CMBB, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Katja Koelkebeck
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Volker Arolt
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Udo Dannlowski
- Institute for Translational Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Jürgen Margraf
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christina Totzeck
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Silvia Schneider
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Peter Neudeck
- Institute of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Protect-AD Study Site Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Michelle G Craske
- Department of Psychology and Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Maike Hollandt
- Department of Psychology, Biological and Clinical Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Richter
- Department of Psychology, Biological and Clinical Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alfons Hamm
- Department of Psychology, Biological and Clinical Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Wittchen
- Institute of Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
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21
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Berg H, Hunt C, Cooper SE, Olatunji BO, Lissek S. Generalization of conditioned disgust and the attendant maladaptive avoidance: Validation of a novel paradigm and effects of trait disgust-proneness. Behav Res Ther 2021; 146:103966. [PMID: 34560412 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2021.103966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Overgeneralization of conditioned fear to safe stimuli that resemble a previously-learned threat-cue is a well-studied correlate of clinical anxiety, yet whether conditioned disgust generalizes remains unknown, as does the extent to which such generalization is associated with disgust-related traits and maladaptive outcomes. The present study addresses this gap by adapting a validated fear-generalization paradigm to assess conditioned disgust and behavioral avoidance to a disgust-cue (CS+) paired with a disgusting video clip, and safe generalization stimuli parametrically varying in perceptual similarity to CS+. For comparison, levels of fear generalization were also assessed using the original fear-generalization paradigm. In both paradigms, costly and unnecessary avoidance to safe threat-cue approximations analogues maladaptive outcomes of generalization. In the disgust paradigm only, disgust-proneness was associated with elevated perceived risk to safe stimuli and increases in the extent to which such elevations were accompanied by maladaptive avoidance. Comparable levels of generalization, and positive associations between generalization and maladaptive avoidance, were found across disgust and fear paradigms. Results confirm that conditioned disgust is subject to generalization, implicate generalized disgust as a source of maladaptive avoidance particularly among those prone to disgust, and suggest a potential role for these processes in the etiology and maintenance of disgust-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Berg
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Christopher Hunt
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Samuel E Cooper
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
| | - Bunmi O Olatunji
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, PMB 407817, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN, 37240, USA.
| | - Shmuel Lissek
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, 75 E River Rd, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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22
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Cano M, Martínez-Zalacaín I, Giménez M, Torrents-Rodas D, Real E, Alonso P, Segalàs C, Munuera J, Menchón JM, Cardoner N, Soriano-Mas C, Fullana MA. Neural correlates of fear conditioning and fear extinction and its association with cognitive-behavioral therapy outcome in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behav Res Ther 2021; 144:103927. [PMID: 34237645 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2021.103927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent neurobiological models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have highlighted the potential role of abnormalities in fear learning processes. We compared brain activation -as assessed with whole-brain functional magnetic resonance imaging- during fear conditioning, fear extinction learning, and fear extinction recall in patients with OCD (n = 18) and healthy controls (n = 18). We also investigated whether brain activation during any of these processes was associated with exposure-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) outcome in patients. Patients with OCD showed significantly lower brain activation in the right insulo-opercular region and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex during fear conditioning in comparison to healthy controls. Moreover, brain activation in the right insula predicted CBT outcome, with lower activation predicting a better outcome. Brain activation during extinction learning or recall did not differ between patients and controls or predicted CBT outcome in patients. Our results suggest that neural activations during fear conditioning in patients with OCD are abnormal and predict CBT outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Cano
- Mental Health Department, Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Tauli University Hospital, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Sanitària Parc Tauli (I3PT), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, CIBERSAM, Carlos III Health Institute, Sabadell, Spain; Department of Psychobiology and Methodology in Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ignacio Martínez-Zalacaín
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL, Bellvitge University Hospital, and CIBERSAM, Carlos III Health Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica Giménez
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL, Bellvitge University Hospital, and CIBERSAM, Carlos III Health Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | | | - Eva Real
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL, Bellvitge University Hospital, and CIBERSAM, Carlos III Health Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Pino Alonso
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL, Bellvitge University Hospital, and CIBERSAM, Carlos III Health Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Cinto Segalàs
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL, Bellvitge University Hospital, and CIBERSAM, Carlos III Health Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Josep Munuera
- Diagnostic Imaging Department, Fundació de Recerca Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - José Manuel Menchón
- Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL, Bellvitge University Hospital, and CIBERSAM, Carlos III Health Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Narcís Cardoner
- Mental Health Department, Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Tauli University Hospital, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Sanitària Parc Tauli (I3PT), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, CIBERSAM, Carlos III Health Institute, Sabadell, Spain; Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Carles Soriano-Mas
- Department of Psychobiology and Methodology in Health Sciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL, Bellvitge University Hospital, and CIBERSAM, Carlos III Health Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
| | - Miquel A Fullana
- Adult Psychiatry and Psychology Department, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain.
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23
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Fendt M, Kreutzmann JC, Jovanovic T. Learning safety to reduce fear: Recent insights and potential implications. Behav Brain Res 2021; 411:113402. [PMID: 34089756 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Fendt
- Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Judith C Kreutzmann
- Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Leipziger Str. 44, D-39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, 245 Tolan Park Medical Building, 3901 Chrysler Service Drive, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
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24
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Dubois CJ, Liu SJ. GluN2D NMDA Receptors Gate Fear Extinction Learning and Interneuron Plasticity. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:681068. [PMID: 34108872 PMCID: PMC8183684 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.681068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum is critically involved in the formation of associative fear memory and in subsequent extinction learning. Fear conditioning is associated with a long-term potentiation at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses onto Purkinje cells. We therefore tested whether fear conditioning unmasks novel forms of synaptic plasticity, which enable subsequent extinction learning to reset cerebellar circuitry. We found that fear learning enhanced GABA release from molecular layer interneurons and this was reversed after fear extinction learning. Importantly an extinction-like stimulation of parallel fibers after fear learning is sufficient to induce a lasting decrease in inhibitory transmission (I-LTDstim) in the cerebellar cortex, a form of plasticity that is absent in naïve animals. While NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors are required for the formation and extinction of associative memory, the role of GluN2D, one of the four major NMDA receptor subunits, in learning and memory has not been determined. We found that fear conditioning elevates spontaneous GABA release in GluN2D KO as shown in WT mice. Deletion of GluN2D, however, abolished the I-LTDstim induced by parallel fiber stimulation after learning. At the behavioral level, genetic deletion of GluN2D subunits did not affect associative learning and memory retention, but impaired subsequent fear extinction learning. D-cycloserine, a partial NMDA receptor (NMDAR) agonist, failed to rescue extinction learning in mutant mice. Our results identify GluN2D as a critical NMDAR subunit for extinction learning and reveal a form of GluN2D-dependent metaplasticity that is associated with extinction in the cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe J Dubois
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Siqiong June Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, United States.,Southeast Louisiana VA Healthcare System, New Orleans, LA, United States
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25
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Optimizing Long-term Outcomes of Exposure for Chronic Primary Pain from the Lens of Learning Theory. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2021; 22:1315-1327. [PMID: 34029684 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Exposure in vivo is a theory-driven and widely used treatment to tackle functional disability in people with chronic primary pain. Exposure is quite effective; yet, in line with exposure outcomes for anxiety disorders, a number of patients may not profit from it, or relapse. In this focus article, we critically reflect on the current exposure protocols in chronic primary pain, and provide recommendations on how to optimize them. We propose several adaptations that are expected to strengthen inhibitory learning and/or retrieval of the extinction memory, thus likely decreasing relapse. We summarize the limited, but emerging experimental data in the pain domain, and draw parallels with experimental evidence in the anxiety literature. Our reflections and suggestions pertain to the use of the fear hierarchy, reassurance, positive psychology interventions, exposure with a range of stimuli and within different contexts, and the use of safety behaviors during treatment, as well as associating the fear-inducing stimuli with novel outcomes. In addition, we reflect on the importance of specifically tackling (the return of) pain-related avoidance behavior with techniques such as disentangling fear from avoidance and reinforcing approach behaviors. Finally, we discuss challenges in the clinical application of exposure to improve functioning in chronic primary pain and possible avenues for future research. Perspectives: Inspired by recent advances in learning theory and its applications on the treatment of anxiety disorders, we reflect on the delivery of exposure treatment for chronic primary pain and propose strategies to improve its long-term outcomes.
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26
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Koenen LR, Pawlik RJ, Icenhour A, Petrakova L, Forkmann K, Theysohn N, Engler H, Elsenbruch S. Associative learning and extinction of conditioned threat predictors across sensory modalities. Commun Biol 2021; 4:553. [PMID: 33976383 PMCID: PMC8113515 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02008-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation and persistence of negative pain-related expectations by classical conditioning remain incompletely understood. We elucidated behavioural and neural correlates involved in the acquisition and extinction of negative expectations towards different threats across sensory modalities. In two complementary functional magnetic resonance imaging studies in healthy humans, differential conditioning paradigms combined interoceptive visceral pain with somatic pain (study 1) and aversive tone (study 2) as exteroceptive threats. Conditioned responses to interoceptive threat predictors were enhanced in both studies, consistently involving the insula and cingulate cortex. Interoceptive threats had a greater impact on extinction efficacy, resulting in disruption of ongoing extinction (study 1), and selective resurgence of interoceptive CS-US associations after complete extinction (study 2). In the face of multiple threats, we preferentially learn, store, and remember interoceptive danger signals. As key mediators of nocebo effects, conditioned responses may be particularly relevant to clinical conditions involving disturbed interoception and chronic visceral pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura R Koenen
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Robert J Pawlik
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Adriane Icenhour
- Translational Pain Research Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Liubov Petrakova
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Katarina Forkmann
- Translational Pain Research Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Nina Theysohn
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Harald Engler
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sigrid Elsenbruch
- Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
- Translational Pain Research Unit, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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Physical exercise as an add-on treatment to cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety: a systematic review. Behav Cogn Psychother 2021; 49:626-640. [PMID: 33678210 DOI: 10.1017/s1352465821000126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is currently the treatment of choice for most anxiety disorders. Yet, with recovery rates of approximately 50%, many patients fail to achieve complete remission. This has led to increased efforts to enhance treatment efficacy. Physical exercise (PE) has in recent years been advocated as means to augment the effects of CBT for anxiety disorders. PE appears to reduce anxiety through other mechanisms than CBT, some of which might also have the potential to augment the effects of psychological treatment. AIMS The current review aimed to summarize and discuss the current research status on CBT augmented with PE for anxiety. METHOD A systematic literature search was conducted in the databases PsychInfo, Medline and Web of Science to evaluate the potential augmentative effect of combining PE with CBT for anxiety disorders. These effects were intended to be evaluated in a meta-analysis, but findings from the few and diverse studies were better summarized in a systematic review. RESULTS Eight articles were included in this review, of which two had no control group, while six had from two to four experimental arms. Six of the studies concluded in favour of benefits of add-on PE, while two studies found no added benefits of the combined interventions. CONCLUSIONS The combination of PE and CBT appears feasible. Add-on PE seems to be more beneficial for clinical populations, when administered regularly several times per week, across several weeks. Future studies should investigate further how and for whom to best combine PE and CBT.
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Abstract
Anxiety disorders form the most common group of mental disorders and generally start before or in early adulthood. Core features include excessive fear and anxiety or avoidance of perceived threats that are persistent and impairing. Anxiety disorders involve dysfunction in brain circuits that respond to danger. Risk for anxiety disorders is influenced by genetic factors, environmental factors, and their epigenetic relations. Anxiety disorders are often comorbid with one another and with other mental disorders, especially depression, as well as with somatic disorders. Such comorbidity generally signifies more severe symptoms, greater clinical burden, and greater treatment difficulty. Reducing the large burden of disease from anxiety disorders in individuals and worldwide can be best achieved by timely, accurate disease detection and adequate treatment administration, scaling up of treatments when needed. Evidence-based psychotherapy (particularly cognitive behavioural therapy) and psychoactive medications (particularly serotonergic compounds) are both effective, facilitating patients' choices in therapeutic decisions. Although promising, no enduring preventive measures are available, and, along with frequent therapy resistance, clinical needs remain unaddressed. Ongoing research efforts tackle these problems, and future efforts should seek individualised, more effective approaches for treatment with precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Wjh Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands; GGZ inGeest, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Daniel S Pine
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emily A Holmes
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt-Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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Duits P, Baas JMP, Engelhard IM, Richter J, Huisman-van Dijk HM, Limberg-Thiesen A, Heitland I, Hamm AO, Cath DC. Latent class growth analyses reveal overrepresentation of dysfunctional fear conditioning trajectories in patients with anxiety-related disorders compared to controls. J Anxiety Disord 2021; 78:102361. [PMID: 33508747 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2021.102361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent meta-analyses indicated differences in fear acquisition and extinction between patients with anxiety-related disorders and comparison subjects. However, these effects are small and may hold for only a subsample of patients. To investigate individual trajectories in fear acquisition and extinction across patients with anxiety-related disorders (N = 104; before treatment) and comparison subjects (N = 93), data from a previous study (Duits et al., 2017) were re-analyzed using data-driven latent class growth analyses. In this explorative study, subjective fear ratings, shock expectancy ratings and startle responses were used as outcome measures. Fear and expectancy ratings, but not startle data, yielded distinct fear conditioning trajectories across participants. Patients were, compared to controls, overrepresented in two distinct dysfunctional fear conditioning trajectories: impaired safety learning and poor fear extinction to danger cues. The profiling of individual patterns allowed to determine that whereas a subset of patients showed trajectories of dysfunctional fear conditioning, a significant proportion of patients (≥50 %) did not. The strength of trajectory analyses as opposed to group analyses is that it allows the identification of individuals with dysfunctional fear conditioning. Results suggested that dysfunctional fear learning may also be associated with poor treatment outcome, but further research in larger samples is needed to address this question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puck Duits
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Johanna M P Baas
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Iris M Engelhard
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jan Richter
- Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| | | | - Anke Limberg-Thiesen
- Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Ivo Heitland
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alfons O Hamm
- Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Danielle C Cath
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Altrecht Academic Anxiety Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, GGZ Drenthe, Department of Specialist Training, The Netherlands.
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Pittig A, Hoyer J, Noack R. Smart-Glass Guided Exposure for Anxiety Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept Study. COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Pittig A, Wong AHK. Incentive-based, instructed, and social observational extinction of avoidance: Fear-opposite actions and their influence on fear extinction. Behav Res Ther 2021; 137:103797. [PMID: 33429135 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2020.103797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Avoidance is a transdiagnostic symptom of clinical anxiety and its reduction a major focus of cognitive-behavioral treatments. This study examined the instrumental extinction of goal-directed avoidance by means of incentives, verbal instruction, and social observation and their influence on fear extinction. Participants acquired conditioned fear and instrumental avoidance responses (N = 160). In four randomized groups, the reduction of avoidance by incentives for non-avoidance, instructions to refrain from avoidance, and social observation of non-avoidance was compared to no intervention before removing the aversive outcome. Conditioned fear when avoidance became unavailable subsequently was tested. Incentives, instruction, and observation all reduced avoidance better than no intervention, however, with different degrees and influence on conditioned fear. Incentives and instructions strongly reduced avoidance despite high levels of fear (i.e., fear-opposite actions). This initiated fear extinction, thereby reducing conditioned fear when avoidance became unavailable. Social observation directly reduced conditioned fear, presumably because it conveyed additional information about the absence of the aversive outcome. However, observation only moderately reduced avoidance and resulted in higher fear when avoidance became unavailable. The effects of social observation may depend on the nuances of the demonstrator's behavior. The clear effects of incentive and instructions provide support for clinical interventions to reduce avoidance during exposure therapy and can serve as experimental models for their controlled investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Pittig
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Center of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Alex H K Wong
- Department of Psychology (Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Körfer K, Schemer L, Kube T, Glombiewski JA. An Experimental Analogue Study on the "Dose-Response Relationship" of Different Therapeutic Instructions for Pain Exposures: The More, The Better? J Pain Res 2020; 13:3181-3193. [PMID: 33293855 PMCID: PMC7719044 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s265709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Novel suggestions derived from the inhibitory learning model on how to optimize exposure therapy have been debated with enthusiasm in the last few years, particularly with respect to the focus on expectancy violations. However, little is known about how this new approach directly compares to the traditional habituation rationale of exposure therapy. In the present study, we examined these two competing therapeutic instructions among healthy female participants in an experimental heat pain paradigm. Design and Methods Participants (N= 116) received a therapeutic instruction derived from either a habituation-based approach or the inhibitory learning model (expectation violation). Participants were repeatedly exposed to painful thermal stimulations until a predefined exposure goal was reached. Results The expectation violation instruction led to faster goal attainment and higher response rates than the habituation instruction. Both instructions led to increased pain tolerance in the short and long term (one-week follow-up). Conclusion Our results suggest that exposure treatments using an expectation violation instruction are especially time-effective. Although the findings from this analogue design cannot be directly generalized to populations with clinically relevant levels of chronic pain, they do point to some important theoretical and clinical implications for the treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Körfer
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Lea Schemer
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Koblenz - Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Tobias Kube
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Koblenz - Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Julia A Glombiewski
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Koblenz - Landau, Landau, Germany
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Hoyer J, Niermann H. Expositionsübungen und Verhaltensexperimente: Varianten des erfahrungsbasierten Lernens in der Verhaltenstherapie. VERHALTENSTHERAPIE 2020. [DOI: 10.1159/000511096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Expositionsübungen (Reizkonfrontationen) stellen die wichtigste Interventionskomponente bei Angststörungen dar; Verhaltensexperimente die wichtigste beobachtungsbezogene Disputationsmethode. Beides sind Beispiele erfahrungsorientierten Lernens in der Verhaltenstherapie. In der vorliegenden Übersichtsarbeit werden diese Vorgehensweisen definiert, in ihren Durchführungsvarianten dargestellt und hinsichtlich ihrer logischen Begründung sowie ihrer hypothetischen Wirkmechanismen verglichen. Dabei wird deutlich, dass beide Ansätze gemäß dem Prinzip der Erwartungs- bzw. Befürchtungswiderlegung (expectancy violation) erwartungs- bzw. einstellungskonträre Erfahrungen ermöglichen sollen. Der Schwerpunkt bei den Expositionsübungen liegt auf der Veränderung des emotionalen Erlebens und automatisierter Vermeidungsreaktionen in bestimmten Zielsituationen, bei den Verhaltensexperimenten liegt er auf der Veränderung von Einstellungen und Erwartungen. Ferner wird bei den Expositionsübungen der Erwerb emotionaler Kompetenzen (Furchttoleranz) angestrebt, was bei Verhaltensexperimenten zumindest nicht primär intendiert ist. Zwar zielt die Fallkonzeption bei Expositionen mehr auf die Veränderung problematischer Handlungen/Vermeidungsreaktionen und bei Verhaltensexperimenten mehr auf die Veränderung problematischer Kognitionen, beide Interventionsvarianten konvergieren aber grundsätzlich hinsichtlich des übenden Ansatzes, bei dem durch häufige Wiederholung im Alltag positive Kontrasterfahrungen stabil im Gedächtnis verankert werden sollen.
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Gatzounis R, Meulders A. Once an Avoider Always an Avoider? Return of Pain-Related Avoidance After Extinction With Response Prevention. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2020; 21:1224-1235. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Marusak HA, Hehr A, Bhogal A, Peters C, Iadipaolo A, Rabinak CA. Alterations in fear extinction neural circuitry and fear-related behavior linked to trauma exposure in children. Behav Brain Res 2020; 398:112958. [PMID: 33069739 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to childhood trauma is extremely common (>60 %) and is a leading risk factor for fear-based disorders, including anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. These disorders are characterized by deficits in fear extinction and dysfunction in underlying neural circuitry. Given the strong and pervasive link between childhood trauma and the development of psychopathology, fear extinction may be a key mechanism. The present study tests the impact of childhood trauma exposure on fear extinction and underlying neural circuitry. Children (N = 44, 45 % trauma-exposed; 6-11 yrs) completed a novel two-day virtual reality fear extinction experiment. On day one, participants underwent fear conditioning and extinction. Twenty-four hours later, participants completed a test of extinction recall during fMRI. Conditioned fear was measured throughout the experiment using skin conductance and fear-related behavior, and activation in fear-related brain regions was estimated during recall. There were no group differences in conditioned fear during fear conditioning or extinction learning. During extinction recall, however, trauma-exposed children kept more distance from both the previously extinguished and the safety cue, suggesting poor differentiation between threat and safety cues. Trauma-exposed youth also failed to approach the previously extinguished cue over the course of extinction recall. The effects on fear-related behavior during extinction recall were accompanied by higher activation to the previously extinguished cue in fear-relevant brain regions, including the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and anterior insula, in trauma-exposed relative to control children. Alterations in fear-related brain regions and fear-related behavior may be a core mechanism through which childhood trauma confers heightened vulnerability to psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary A Marusak
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States; Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States.
| | - Aneesh Hehr
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Amanpreet Bhogal
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Craig Peters
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Allesandra Iadipaolo
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Christine A Rabinak
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States; Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States; Department of Pharmacy Practice, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States; Translational Neuroscience Program, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
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Bisby MA, Baker KD, Richardson R. Deficits in opioid receptor-mediated prediction error contribute to impaired fear extinction during adolescence. Behav Res Ther 2020; 133:103713. [PMID: 32841761 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2020.103713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Adolescent-onset anxiety disorders are more common and costly than those that emerge later in life. Unfortunately, nearly half of adolescents undergoing cognitive behavioural therapies, including exposure therapies, show significant symptom relapse. Such poor treatment outcomes are consistent with preclinical work examining fear extinction, in which adolescents show persistent fear to extinguished cues. Both extinction and exposure are dependent on the generation of prediction error (i.e., the difference between the expected and actual outcome of a cue presentation), a process which involves the opioid system. We investigated the contribution of prediction error signalling to extinction during adolescence using the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone. We demonstrated that unlike in juvenile and adult rats, fear expression during extinction training and test in adolescent rats was unaffected by naloxone, suggesting that adolescent rats are impaired in using prediction error signalling to extinguish fear under typical conditions. However, in two circumstances where adolescents exhibit good extinction retention, opioid receptor blockade impaired extinction retention, suggesting that the recruitment of prediction error signalling mechanisms promotes extinction in this age group, just as it does in adults. Importantly, additional extinction training may be required to enable prediction error mechanisms to be recruited during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelyne A Bisby
- School of Psychology, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.
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Papalini S, Beckers T, Vervliet B. Dopamine: from prediction error to psychotherapy. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:164. [PMID: 32451377 PMCID: PMC7248121 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-0814-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine, one of the main neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain, has been implicated in the coding of prediction errors that govern reward learning as well as fear extinction learning. Psychotherapy too can be viewed as a form of error-based learning, because it challenges erroneous beliefs and behavioral patterns in order to induce long-term changes in emotions, cognitions, and behaviors. Exposure therapy, for example, relies in part on fear extinction principles to violate erroneous expectancies of danger and induce novel safety learning that inhibits and therefore reduces fear in the long term. As most forms of psychotherapy, however, exposure therapy suffers from non-response, dropout, and relapse. This narrative review focuses on the role of midbrain and prefrontal dopamine in novel safety learning and investigates possible pathways through which dopamine-based interventions could be used as an adjunct to improve both the response and the long-term effects of the therapy. Convincing evidence exists for an involvement of the midbrain dopamine system in the acquisition of new, safe memories. Additionally, prefrontal dopamine is emerging as a key ingredient for the consolidation of fear extinction. We propose that applying a dopamine prediction error perspective to psychotherapy can inspire both pharmacological and non-pharmacological studies aimed at discovering innovative ways to enhance the acquisition of safety memories. Additionally, we call for further empirical investigations on dopamine-oriented drugs that might be able to maximize consolidation of successful fear extinction and its long-term retention after therapy, and we propose to also include investigations on non-pharmacological interventions with putative prefrontal dopaminergic effects, like working memory training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Papalini
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology (LBP), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. .,Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Tom Beckers
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Centre for the Psychology of Learning and Experimental Psychopathology (CLEP), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Vervliet
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Laboratory of Biological Psychology (LBP), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium ,grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Abend R, Gold AL, Britton JC, Michalska KJ, Shechner T, Sachs JF, Winkler AM, Leibenluft E, Averbeck BB, Pine DS. Anticipatory Threat Responding: Associations With Anxiety, Development, and Brain Structure. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:916-925. [PMID: 31955915 PMCID: PMC7211142 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While translational theories link neurodevelopmental changes in threat learning to pathological anxiety, findings from studies in patients inconsistently support these theories. This inconsistency may reflect difficulties in studying large patient samples with wide age ranges using consistent methods. A dearth of imaging data in patients further limits translational advances. We address these gaps through a psychophysiology and structural brain imaging study in a large sample of patients across the lifespan. METHODS A total of 351 participants (8-50 years of age; 209 female subjects; 195 healthy participants and 156 medication-free, treatment-seeking patients with anxiety) completed a differential threat conditioning and extinction paradigm that has been validated in pediatric and adult populations. Skin conductance response indexed psychophysiological response to conditioned (CS+, CS-) and unconditioned threat stimuli. Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were available for 250 participants. Analyses tested anxiety and age associations with psychophysiological response in addition to associations between psychophysiology and brain structure. RESULTS Regardless of age, patients and healthy comparison subjects demonstrated comparable differential threat conditioning and extinction. The magnitude of skin conductance response to both conditioned stimulus types differentiated patients from comparison subjects and covaried with dorsal prefrontal cortical thickness; structure-response associations were moderated by anxiety and age in several regions. Unconditioned responding was unrelated to anxiety and brain structure. CONCLUSIONS Rather than impaired threat learning, pathological anxiety involves heightened skin conductance response to potential but not immediately present threats; this anxiety-related potentiation of anticipatory responding also relates to variation in brain structure. These findings inform theoretical considerations by highlighting anticipatory response to potential threat in anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rany Abend
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
| | - Andrea L. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; Pediatric Anxiety Research Center, Bradley Hospital, Riverside, RI
| | | | | | - Tomer Shechner
- Psychology Department, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Anderson M. Winkler
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Ellen Leibenluft
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Bruno B. Averbeck
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of
Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Daniel S. Pine
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
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Boddez Y, Moors A, Mertens G, De Houwer J. Tackling fear: Beyond associative memory activation as the only determinant of fear responding. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 112:410-419. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Bas-Hoogendam JM, van Steenbergen H, van der Wee NJA, Westenberg PM. Amygdala hyperreactivity to faces conditioned with a social-evaluative meaning- a multiplex, multigenerational fMRI study on social anxiety endophenotypes. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2020; 26:102247. [PMID: 32247196 PMCID: PMC7125356 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) runs in families, but the neurobiological pathways underlying the genetic susceptibility towards SAD are largely unknown. Here, we employed an endophenotype approach, and tested the hypothesis that amygdala hyperreactivity to faces conditioned with a social-evaluative meaning is a candidate SAD endophenotype. We used data from the multiplex, multigenerational Leiden Family Lab study on Social Anxiety Disorder (eight families, n = 105) and investigated amygdala activation during a social-evaluative conditioning paradigm with high ecological validity in the context of SAD. Three neutral faces were repeatedly presented in combination with socially negative, positive or neutral sentences. We focused on two endophenotype criteria: co-segregation of the candidate endophenotype with the disorder within families, and heritability. Analyses of the fMRI data were restricted to the amygdala as a region of interest, and association analyses revealed that bilateral amygdala hyperreactivity in response to the conditioned faces co-segregated with social anxiety (SA; continuous measure) within the families; we found, however, no relationship between SA and brain activation in response to more specific fMRI contrasts. Furthermore, brain activation in a small subset of voxels within these amygdala clusters was at least moderately heritable. Taken together, these findings show that amygdala engagement in response to conditioned faces with a social-evaluative meaning qualifies as a neurobiological candidate endophenotype of social anxiety. Thereby, these data shed light on the genetic vulnerability to develop SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna Marie Bas-Hoogendam
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Henk van Steenbergen
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Nic J A van der Wee
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - P Michiel Westenberg
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Raeder F, Merz CJ, Margraf J, Zlomuzica A. The association between fear extinction, the ability to accomplish exposure and exposure therapy outcome in specific phobia. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4288. [PMID: 32152429 PMCID: PMC7062844 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-61004-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Great interest exists in maximizing exposure therapy efficacy in anxiety disorders. At the same time, reduced frequency and shortened duration of exposure sessions are required to meet the specific regularities in routine care settings. Extinction has emerged as the key mechanism of exposure treatment in anxiety disorders. Examining exposure treatment processes from the perspective of extinction learning might provide novel insights into variability in exposure treatment duration and outcome. The present study sought to examine the functional link between fear extinction, the ability to accomplish exposure in a predetermined time and exposure therapy outcome in specific phobia. Treatment-seeking individuals (N = 53) with spider phobia underwent a context-dependent fear conditioning paradigm prior to a standardized exposure. Spider-phobic participants who were able to complete exposure within the pre-determined time (i.e., completers) showed a more pronounced short- and long-term exposure therapy benefit. In the fear conditioning task, a more pronounced decline in CS-US contingency ratings during extinction (retrieval) was found in completers relative to non-completers. The failure to further extinguish US expectancy to the CSs in non-completers might offer a potential mechanistic explanation why non-completers have difficulties to accomplish all exposure steps in a fixed time and show less pronounced treatment gains. Our findings bear specific implications for the implementation of exposure treatment to routine care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Raeder
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christian J Merz
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jürgen Margraf
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Armin Zlomuzica
- Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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Pittig A, Wong AH, Glück VM, Boschet JM. Avoidance and its bi-directional relationship with conditioned fear: Mechanisms, moderators, and clinical implications. Behav Res Ther 2020; 126:103550. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2020.103550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Heinig I, Hummel KV. Intensivierte Exposition zur Förderung des Inhibitionslernens bei Angststörungen. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KLINISCHE PSYCHOLOGIE UND PSYCHOTHERAPIE 2020. [DOI: 10.1026/1616-3443/a000575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Die Wirksamkeit von Expositionsverfahren bei Angststörungen ist hervorragend belegt. Dennoch profitieren viele Patient_innen nicht oder nicht ausreichend, was die Notwendigkeit zur Verbesserung der Verfahren deutlich macht. Vielversprechende Optimierungsstrategien lassen sich aus Modellen des Inhibitionslernens ableiten, andererseits aus der Beobachtung, dass die in expositionsbasierten klinischen Trials erreichten hohen Effektstärken in der Mehrzahl durch deutlich kürzere und intensivere Therapien verglichen mit der Routineversorgung erreicht werden. Der Forschungsverbund PROTECT-AD (Providing Tools for Effective Care and Treatment of Anxiety Disorders) untersucht in einer multizentrischen randomisierten Studie die Effekte einer intensivierten Expositionstherapie (Intensivierte psychotherapeutische Intervention, IPI) mit zeitlich ausgedehnter Selbstmanagementphase im Vergleich zu einem inhaltlich identischen, aber zeitlich gestreckten treatment as ususal (TAU) bei über 600 Patient_innen mit verschiedenen Angststörungen. Hier berichten wir, wie Intensivierung als Optimierungsstrategie therapeutisch umgesetzt werden kann. Unsere Erfahrungen zeigen, dass intensivierte Exposition von den Patient_innen sehr gut angenommen wird und eine Reihe praktischer und gesundheitsökonomischer Vorteile bieten kann.
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Bas‐Hoogendam JM, van Steenbergen H, Blackford JU, Tissier RLM, van der Wee NJA, Westenberg PM. Impaired neural habituation to neutral faces in families genetically enriched for social anxiety disorder. Depress Anxiety 2019; 36:1143-1153. [PMID: 31600020 PMCID: PMC6916167 DOI: 10.1002/da.22962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is an incapacitating disorder running in families. Previous work associated social fearfulness with a failure to habituate, but the habituation response to neutral faces has, as of yet, not been investigated in patients with SAD and their family members concurrently. Here, we examined whether impaired habituation to neutral faces is a putative neurobiological endophenotype of SAD by using data from the multiplex and multigenerational Leiden Family Lab study on SAD. METHODS Participants (n = 110; age, 9.2 - 61.5 years) performed a habituation paradigm involving neutral faces, as these are strong social stimuli with an ambiguous meaning. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging data to investigate whether brain activation related to habituation was associated with the level of social anxiety within the families. Furthermore, the heritability of the neural habituation response was estimated. RESULTS Our data revealed a relationship between impaired habituation to neutral faces and social anxiety in the right hippocampus and right amygdala. In addition, our data indicated that this habituation response displayed moderate - to-moderately high heritability in the right hippocampus. CONCLUSION The present results provide support for altered habituation as a candidate SAD endophenotype; impaired neural habitation cosegregrated with the disorder within families and was heritable. These findings shed light on the genetic susceptibility to SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna M. Bas‐Hoogendam
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, Institute of PsychologyLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands,Department of PsychiatryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands,Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Henk van Steenbergen
- Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands,Cognitive Psychology Unit, Institute of PsychologyUniversity of LeidenLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Jennifer Urbano Blackford
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennessee,Department of Veterans Affairs Medical CenterResearch Service, Research and DevelopmentNashvilleTennessee
| | - Renaud L. M. Tissier
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, Institute of PsychologyLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Nic J. A. van der Wee
- Department of PsychiatryLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands,Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - P. Michiel Westenberg
- Developmental and Educational Psychology, Institute of PsychologyLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands,Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands
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Noack R, Eckelt T, Scharoba J, Hoferichter E, Jacobi F, Weidner K, Hoyer J. Psychotherapeutische Fernbegleitung von Expositionstherapie bei Angststörungen mittels Smart Glass: Praktikabilitäts- und Akzeptanzevaluation. VERHALTENSTHERAPIE 2019. [DOI: 10.1159/000503871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
<b><i>Hintergrund:</i></b> Trotz vielfach belegter Wirksamkeit expositionsbasierter Methoden bei Angststörungen werden diese in verhaltenstherapeutischen Praxen häufig nicht oder nicht vertieft genug umgesetzt. Planungs- und Zeitaufwand sind häufige Hinderungsgründe. In dieser Studie wurden Usability (Gebrauchstauglichkeit), User Experience (Nutzererleben) und Nutzerakzeptanz eines Systems zur Fernbegleitung von Expositionstherapie mittels Smart Glass evaluiert. <b><i>Methoden:</i></b> In einer standardisierten Laboruntersuchung bewerteten 39 Probanden mit Spinnenangst sowie 16 Therapeuten Usability, User Experience und Nutzerakzeptanz mittels etablierter Fragebögen. Vergleiche mit Normstichproben wurden vorgenommen und Adjective Rankings vergeben. <b><i>Ergebnisse:</i></b>92% der Probanden konnten sich selbstständig in das technische System einarbeiten und die Anweisungen des Therapeuten wahrnehmen und umsetzen. Die Usability wurde von den Probanden als “OK” bewertet. Bei der User Experience wurden bei konservativster Berechnung für die aufgabenbezogenen Faktoren Durchschaubarkeit, Effizienz und Steuerbarkeit “unterdurchschnittliche” und für die hedonischen Merkmale Stimulation und Originalität “gute” bis “exzellente” Bewertungen abgegeben. Die Nutzerakzeptanz war “durchschnittlich”. Die informiert rekrutierten Therapeuten zeigten in allen Variablen höhere Bewertungen. <b><i>Schlussfolgerungen:</i></b>Es besteht eine ausreichende Usability, eine in Bezug auf unterschiedliche Qualitäten heterogene User Experience und eine zufriedenstellende Akzeptanz. Insofern kann eine Expositionsfernbegleitung eine vielversprechende Alternative für die begleitete Exposition in vivo bieten. Verbesserungswürdige technische Probleme sowie medizinproduktebezogene und datenschutzrechtliche Fragen werden benannt.
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The effect of trait anxiety on attentional mechanisms in combined context and cue conditioning and extinction learning. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8855. [PMID: 31222028 PMCID: PMC6586658 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45239-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory processing and attention allocation are shaped by threat, but the role of trait-anxiety in sensory processing as a function of threat predictability remains incompletely understood. Therefore, we measured steady-state visual evoked potentials (ssVEPs) as an index of sensory processing of predictable and unpredictable threat cues in 29 low (LA) and 29 high (HA) trait-anxious participants during a modified NPU-paradigm followed by an extinction phase. Three different contextual cues indicated safety (N), predictable (P) or unpredictable threat (U), while foreground cues signalled shocks in the P-condition only. All participants allocated increased attentional resources to the central P-threat cue, replicating previous findings. Importantly, LA individuals exhibited larger ssVEP amplitudes to contextual threat (U and P) than to contextual safety cues, while HA individuals did not differentiate among contextual cues in general. Further, HA exhibited higher aversive ratings of all contexts compared to LA. These results suggest that high trait-anxious individuals might be worse at discriminating contextual threat stimuli and accordingly overestimate the probability and aversiveness of unpredictable threat. These findings support the notion of aberrant sensory processing of unpredictable threat in anxiety disorders, as this processing pattern is already evident in individuals at risk of these disorders.
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Papalini S, Lange I, Bakker J, Michielse S, Marcelis M, Wichers M, Vervliet B, van Os J, Van Amelsvoort T, Goossens L, Schruers K. The predictive value of neural reward processing on exposure therapy outcome: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 92:339-346. [PMID: 30763673 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exposure is the gold standard treatment for phobic anxiety and is thought to represent the clinical application of extinction learning. Reward sensitivity might however also represent a predictive factor for exposure therapy outcome, as this therapy promotes positive experiences and involves positive comments by the therapist. We hypothesized that high reward sensitivity, as expressed by elevated reward expectancy and reward value, can be associated with better outcome to exposure therapy specifically. METHODS Forty-four participants with a specific phobia for spiders were included in the current study. Participants were randomly assigned to exposure therapy (n = 25) or progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) (n = 19). Treatment outcome was defined as pre- versus post-therapy phobia symptoms. Before treatment, functional brain responses and behavioral responses (i.e. reaction time and accuracy) during reward anticipation and consumption were assessed with the Monetary Incentive Delay task (MID). Behavioral and neural responses in regions of interest (i.e. nucleus accumbens, ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the ventral tegmental area) as well as across the whole-brain were subsequently regressed on treatment outcomes. RESULTS Exposure therapy was more effective in reducing phobia symptoms than PMR. Longer reaction times to reward cues and lower activation in the left posterior cingulate cortex during reward consumption were selectively associated with symptoms reductions following exposure therapy but not following PMR. Only within the exposure therapy group, greater symptom reduction was related to increased activation in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex during reward anticipation, and decreased activation in the medial prefrontal cortex during reward consumption. CONCLUSION Results indicate that individual differences in reward sensitivity can specifically predict exposure therapy outcome. Although activation in regions of interest were not related to therapy outcome, regions involved in attentional processing of reward cues were predictive of phobic symptom change following exposure therapy but not PMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Papalini
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Faculty of Psychology, Center for Experimental and Learning Psychology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Iris Lange
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jindra Bakker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stijn Michielse
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Machteld Marcelis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Institute for Mental Health Care Eindhoven (GGzE), Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Wichers
- Department of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation (ICPE), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bram Vervliet
- Faculty of Psychology, Center for Experimental and Learning Psychology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jim van Os
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, King's Health Partners, London, UK; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Therese Van Amelsvoort
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Liesbet Goossens
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Koen Schruers
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Faculty of Psychology, Center for Experimental and Learning Psychology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Generalization and Extinction of Concept-BasedPain-Related Fear. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2019; 20:325-338. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Pittig A, Kotter R, Hoyer J. The Struggle of Behavioral Therapists With Exposure: Self-Reported Practicability, Negative Beliefs, and Therapist Distress About Exposure-Based Interventions. Behav Ther 2019; 50:353-366. [PMID: 30824251 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Exposure-based interventions are a core ingredient of evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, previous research has documented that exposure is rarely utilized in routine care, highlighting an ongoing lack of dissemination. The present study examined barriers for the dissemination of exposure from the perspective of behavioral psychotherapists working in outpatient routine care (N = 684). A postal survey assessed three categories of barriers: (a) practicability of exposure-based intervention in an outpatient private practice setting, (b) negative beliefs about exposure, and (c) therapist distress related to the use of exposure. In addition, self-reported competence to conduct exposure for different anxiety disorders, PTSD, and OCD was assessed. High rates of agreement were found for single barriers within each of the three categories (e.g., unpredictable time management, risk of uncompensated absence of the patient, risk of decompensation of the patient, superficial effectiveness, or exposure being very strenuous for the therapist). Separately, average agreement to each category negatively correlated with self-reported utilization of exposure to a moderate degree (-.35 ≤ r ≤ -.27). In a multiple regression model, only average agreement to barriers of practicability and negative beliefs were significantly associated with utilization rates. Findings illustrate that a multilevel approach targeting individual, practical, and systemic barriers is necessary to optimize the dissemination of exposure-based interventions. Dissemination efforts may therefore benefit from incorporating strategies such as modifying negative beliefs, adaptive stress management for therapists, or increasing practicability of exposure-based interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Pittig
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.
| | - Roxana Kotter
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hoyer
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
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de Jong R, Lommen MJ, de Jong PJ, Nauta MH. Using Multiple Contexts and Retrieval Cues in Exposure-Based Therapy to Prevent Relapse in Anxiety Disorders. COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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