title: Anxiety Sensitivity Amelioration Training (ASAT): a longitudinal primary prevention program targeting cognitive vulnerability.
abstract: Fear of arousal symptoms, often referred to as anxiety sensitivity (AS) appears to be associated with risk for anxiety pathology and other Axis I conditions. Findings from a longitudinal prevention program targeting AS are reported. Participants (n=404) scoring high on the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) were randomly assigned to receive a brief intervention designed to reduce AS (Anxiety Sensitivity Amelioration Training (ASAT)) or a control condition. Participants were followed for up to 24 months. Findings indicate that ASAT produced greater reductions in ASI levels compared with the control condition. Moreover, reductions were specific to anxiety sensitivity relative to related cognitive risk factors for anxiety. ASAT also produced decreased subjective fear responding to a 20% CO(2) challenge delivered postintervention. Data from the follow-up period show a lower incidence of Axis I diagnoses in the treated condition though the overall group difference was not statistically different at all follow-up intervals. Overall, findings are promising for the preventative efficacy of a brief, computer-based intervention designed to decrease anxiety sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, Department of Psychology, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA. schmidt@psy.fsu.edu
authors.forename: Norman B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: A Meade
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Eggleston
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Woolaway-Bickel
authors.forename: Kathleen Kara
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Vasey
authors.forename: J Anthony
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Richey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D003071:Cognition; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D016730:Program Development; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012681:Sensitivity Training Groups; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide