scholarly journals Believing Is Seeing: A Proof-of-Concept Semiexperimental Study on Using Mobile Virtual Reality to Boost the Effects of Interpretation Bias Modification for Anxiety

10.2196/11517 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. e11517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Otkhmezuri ◽  
Marilisa Boffo ◽  
Panote Siriaraya ◽  
Maria Matsangidou ◽  
Reinout W Wiers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cognitive Bias ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Cognitive Bias Modification ◽  
Interpretation Bias ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Computerized Intervention ◽  
Bias Modification

Background Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretations (CBM-I) is a computerized intervention designed to change negatively biased interpretations of ambiguous information, which underlie and reinforce anxiety. The repetitive and monotonous features of CBM-I can negatively impact training adherence and learning processes. Objective This proof-of-concept study aimed to examine whether performing a CBM-I training using mobile virtual reality technology (virtual reality Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretations [VR-CBM-I]) improves training experience and effectiveness. Methods A total of 42 students high in trait anxiety completed 1 session of either VR-CBM-I or standard CBM-I training for performance anxiety. Participants’ feelings of immersion and presence, emotional reactivity to a stressor, and changes in interpretation bias and state anxiety, were assessed. Results The VR-CBM-I resulted in greater feelings of presence (P<.001, d=1.47) and immersion (P<.001, ηp2=0.74) in the training scenarios and outperformed the standard training in effects on state anxiety (P<.001, ηp2=0.3) and emotional reactivity to a stressor (P=.03, ηp2=0.12). Both training varieties successfully increased the endorsement of positive interpretations (P<.001, drepeated measures [drm]=0.79) and decreased negative ones. (P<.001, drm=0.72). In addition, changes in the emotional outcomes were correlated with greater feelings of immersion and presence. Conclusions This study provided first evidence that (1) the putative working principles underlying CBM-I trainings can be translated into a virtual environment and (2) virtual reality holds promise as a tool to boost the effects of CMB-I training for highly anxious individuals while increasing users’ experience with the training application.

scholarly journals Believing Is Seeing: A Proof-of-Concept Semiexperimental Study on Using Mobile Virtual Reality to Boost the Effects of Interpretation Bias Modification for Anxiety (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Otkhmezuri ◽  
Marilisa Boffo ◽  
Panote Siriaraya ◽  
Maria Matsangidou ◽  
Reinout W Wiers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cognitive Bias ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Cognitive Bias Modification ◽  
Interpretation Bias ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Computerized Intervention ◽  
Bias Modification

BACKGROUND Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretations (CBM-I) is a computerized intervention designed to change negatively biased interpretations of ambiguous information, which underlie and reinforce anxiety. The repetitive and monotonous features of CBM-I can negatively impact training adherence and learning processes. OBJECTIVE This proof-of-concept study aimed to examine whether performing a CBM-I training using mobile virtual reality technology (virtual reality Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretations [VR-CBM-I]) improves training experience and effectiveness. METHODS A total of 42 students high in trait anxiety completed 1 session of either VR-CBM-I or standard CBM-I training for performance anxiety. Participants’ feelings of immersion and presence, emotional reactivity to a stressor, and changes in interpretation bias and state anxiety, were assessed. RESULTS The VR-CBM-I resulted in greater feelings of presence (P<.001, d=1.47) and immersion (P<.001, ηp2=0.74) in the training scenarios and outperformed the standard training in effects on state anxiety (P<.001, ηp2=0.3) and emotional reactivity to a stressor (P=.03, ηp2=0.12). Both training varieties successfully increased the endorsement of positive interpretations (P<.001, drepeated measures [drm]=0.79) and decreased negative ones. (P<.001, drm=0.72). In addition, changes in the emotional outcomes were correlated with greater feelings of immersion and presence. CONCLUSIONS This study provided first evidence that (1) the putative working principles underlying CBM-I trainings can be translated into a virtual environment and (2) virtual reality holds promise as a tool to boost the effects of CMB-I training for highly anxious individuals while increasing users’ experience with the training application.

scholarly journals Online Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretation for Children With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-334
Author(s):  
Saeed Nasiry ◽  
◽  
Zahra Ameli ◽  
Pegah Pezeshki ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Cognitive Bias ◽  
Cognitive Bias Modification ◽  
Interpretation Bias ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Bias Modification

Objective: Numerous children with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) either have no access to its main treatment, i.e. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or fail to respond to it. Cognitive Bias Modification of Interpretation (CBMI) is a novel and promising intervention that targets the incorrect interpretation of intrusive thoughts and impulses, i.e. the characteristics of OCD. The present study aimed to determine the effects of CBMI in children with OCD for the first time. Besides, we evaluated the possibility of online implementation of this intervention. Methods: A sample of 35 children with OCD (aged 7-12 years) were randomly assigned to two study groups. The experimental group (n=18) received CBMI and the controls (n=17) received placebo treatment. Interpretation bias and OCD severity were assessed at pre-test, post-test, and 2-month follow-up stages, using the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCICV), Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-Child Version (OBQCV), and Ambiguous Scenarios Task (AST). The present study results were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Paired Samples t-test. Results: The collected findings demonstrated that after receiving CBMI, children’s propensity to positively interpret ambiguous situations was increased, their tendency towards negative interpretation and OCD severity was also decreased. There was no such significant change in the control group. Furthermore, the effects of CBMI was sustained at the 2-month follow-up step. Conclusion: This study provided preliminary evidence that suggests CBMI is capable of modifying interpretation bias in children with OCD, can reduce the severity of their disorder, and works as an online intervention. This brief and inexpensive intervention could be considered as an auxiliary or standalone treatment for OCD in children.

scholarly journals Investigating d-cycloserine as a potential pharmacological enhancer of an emotional bias learning procedure

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 569-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcella L Woud ◽  
Simon E Blackwell ◽  
Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen ◽  
Michael Browning ◽  
Emily A Holmes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Bias ◽  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Cognitive Bias Modification ◽  
Negative Life Event ◽  
Stressful Event ◽  
Psychological Therapies ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Emotional Bias ◽  
Bias Modification

The partial N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonist d-cycloserine may enhance psychological therapies. However, its exact mechanism of action is still being investigated. Cognitive bias modification techniques allow isolation of cognitive processes and thus investigation of how they may be affected by d-cycloserine. We used a cognitive bias modification paradigm targeting appraisals of a stressful event, Cognitive Bias Modification-Appraisal, to investigate whether d-cycloserine enhanced the modification of appraisal, and whether it caused greater reduction in indices of psychopathology. Participants received either 250 mg of d-cycloserine ( n=19) or placebo ( n=19). As a stressor task, participants recalled a negative life event, followed by positive Cognitive Bias Modification-Appraisal training. Before and after Cognitive Bias Modification-Appraisal, appraisals and indices of psychopathology related to the stressor were assessed. Cognitive Bias Modification-Appraisal successfully modified appraisals, but d-cycloserine did not affect appraisals post-training. There were no post-training group differences in frequency of intrusions. Interestingly, d-cycloserine led to a greater reduction in distress and impact on state mood from recalling the event, and lower distress post-training was associated with fewer intrusions. Therefore, d-cycloserine may affect emotional reactivity to recalling a negative event when combined with induction of a positive appraisal style, but via a mechanism other than enhanced learning of the appraisal style.

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