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. 2023;47(3):494-509.
doi: 10.1007/s10608-023-10358-9. Epub 2023 Feb 9.

Effects of Training Body-Related Interpretations on Panic-Related Cognitions and Symptoms

Felix Würtz  1 , Shari Steinman  2 , Simon E Blackwell  1 , Frank H Wilhelm  3 , Andrea Reinecke  4   5 , Dirk Adolph  1 , Jürgen Margraf  1 , Marcella L Woud  1
Affiliations

Effects of Training Body-Related Interpretations on Panic-Related Cognitions and Symptoms

Felix Würtz et al. Cognit Ther Res. 2023.

Abstract

Background: Interpretation biases (IBs) are central in panic disorder, and there is rich evidence showing that these are correlated with and predictive of panic-relevant symptomatology. However, experimental studies are needed to examine the potential causal effects of IBs, as predicted by cognitive models.

Methods: Panic-related IBs were manipulated via a sentence-completion Cognitive Bias Modification-Interpretation (CBM-I) training. The sample included N = 112 healthy participants reporting moderate levels of fear of bodily sensations. Participants were randomly allocated to a positive, negative, or control CBM-I condition. To test the trainings' effect on panic-relevant cognitive processing, IBs were assessed via proximal and distal measures. Symptom provocation tasks were applied to test transfer to panic-relevant symptomatology.

Results: Results on the proximal measure showed that positive CBM-I led to more positive IBs compared to negative, and control training. Further, positive CBM-I led to more positive IBs on the distal measure as compared to negative CBM-I. However, there were no differential training effects on panic-related symptomatology triggered via the provocation tasks.

Conclusion: The findings indicate a limited generalization of the effects of CBM-I on IBs and panic-related symptoms. Potential means to improve generalization, such as applying more nuanced measures and combining CBM-I with psychoeducation are discussed.

Keywords: Cognitive bias modification; Experimental psychopathology; Interpretation bias; Panic disorder; Symptom provocation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestFelix Würtz, Shari Steinman, Simon E. Blackwell, Frank H. Wilhelm, Dirk Adolph, Andrea Reinecke, Jürgen Margraf and Marcella L. Woud declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Graphical illustration of the study procedure
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
* p < .05, ** p < .01. Bias scores on the Encoding Recognition Task at post-training in each of the three CBM-I conditions
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
* p < .05. Bias scores on the Scrambled Sentences Task in each of the three CBM-I conditions
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
*** p < .001. Scores on the symptom questionnaire pre- and post each symptom provocation. Error bars represent standard errors
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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