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Approaching contamination-related stimuli with an implicit Approach-Avoidance Task: Can it reduce OCD symptoms? An online pilot study
- Source :
- Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry. 57
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background and objectives Dual-process models suggest that automatic behavioral tendencies contribute to the development and maintenance of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of the Approach-Avoidance Task (AAT) to reduce OCD symptoms and associated distress. Methods The study was set up as an online intervention. Participants with OCD symptoms ( N = 101) were randomly assigned either to one of two experimental conditions or a waitlist control group upon completion of an online baseline survey. Participants were instructed to respond to contamination-related and neutral pictures by pulling or pushing a computer mouse, respectively. In one AAT condition, contamination-relevant pictures remained on the screen one second after pulling (lock condition), while pictures disappeared immediately after pulling in the standard AAT. Participants completed an online re-assessment four weeks after baseline. Results For analyses, only data of patients with contamination-related OCD symptoms were analyzed. A significant reduction in distress caused by OCD symptoms was found for both AAT training groups. Furthermore, a reduction in compulsions occurred for the group using the standard AAT. No significant effect was found for the control group. Limitations Implicit behavioral tendencies prior to and after training were not assessed. Conclusions Findings tentatively suggest that the AAT might be effective in reducing washing-/contamination-related OCD symptoms.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
congenital, hereditary, and neonatal diseases and abnormalities
050103 clinical psychology
medicine.medical_specialty
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Pilot Projects
Online Systems
Task (project management)
03 medical and health sciences
Young Adult
0302 clinical medicine
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
Obsessive compulsive
Surveys and Questionnaires
Online intervention
medicine
Avoidance Learning
Humans
0501 psychology and cognitive sciences
Psychiatry
Set (psychology)
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Analysis of Variance
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
05 social sciences
Baseline survey
Middle Aged
Psychiatry and Mental health
Clinical Psychology
Distress
Treatment Outcome
Female
Computer mouse
Psychology
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Photic Stimulation
Clinical psychology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 18737943
- Volume :
- 57
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....392b84a77489ba9b075771a10faa78ae