title: Effectiveness of association splitting in reducing unwanted intrusive thoughts in a nonclinical sample.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Association Splitting (AS) is a novel cognitive technique, which has shown some promise for the reduction of obsessive thoughts in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Its effect on unwanted intrusive thoughts (UITs) in the general population is yet unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our experimental study tested the effect of AS in 49 participants who reported UITs as a regular problem. Participants were randomly allocated either to an AS versus waitlist control (WL) condition. The White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI) was used for measuring changes over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant group differences were found across time. Relative to WL, AS exerted a positive effect on the reduction of UITs yielding a large effect size. According to self-report AS exerted a positive effect 6 days after the participants had initiated the exercises. All subjects in the AS condition judged the technique as effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that AS could be a suitable intervention to help people with a potential vulnerability to a clinical problem to control their UITs.
authors.affiliation: Central University of Las Villas-UCLV, Cuba. borisc@uclv.edu.cu
authors.forename: Boris C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Martín
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moritz
authors.forename: Osana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Molerio-Pérez
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gil-Pérez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001244:Association; D001288:Attention; D001364:Awareness; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003462:Cuba; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010153:Paired-Associate Learning; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D013850:Thinking; D016896:Treatment Outcome