Abstract

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.

Citations

Würtz F, Steinman S, Blackwell SE, Wilhelm FH, Reinecke A, Adolph D, Margraf J, Woud ML. Effects of Training Body-Related Interpretations on Panic-Related Cognitions and Symptoms. Cognit Ther Res. 2023 Feb 9:1–16. doi: 10.1007/s10608-023-10358-9. Epub ahead of print.

URI: https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/orka/title/effects-of-training-body-related-interpretations-on-panic-related-cognitions-and-symptoms/