title: Alleviating distressing intrusive memories in depression: a comparison between computerised cognitive bias modification and cognitive behavioural education.
abstract: Negative appraisals maintain intrusive memories and intrusion-distress in depression, but treatment is underdeveloped. This study compared the efficacy of computerised bias modification positive appraisal training (CBM) versus a therapist-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy session (CB-Education) that both aimed to target and alter negative appraisals of a negative intrusive autobiographical memory. Dysphoric participants (Mean BDI-II = 27.85; N = 60) completed baseline ratings of a negative intrusive memory, negative appraisals and the Impact of Event Scale, and were randomly allocated either one session of CBM, CB-Education, or a no intervention monitoring control condition (Control). Mood and intrusion symptoms were assessed at one week follow-up. For all groups, there were significant reductions over one week in mood (depression and anxiety), memory intrusiveness and negative appraisals. Groups differed in terms of intrusion-related distress, with the CB-Education group showing greatest reduction, followed by the CBM group. The study provides evidence for the link between maladaptive appraisals of intrusive memories and distress in depressed mood. Further, both a single session of CB-Education and (to a lesser degree) CBM are useful in reducing intrusion-related distress. This study may have been underpowered to detect differences and replication is needed with larger samples.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD), School of Psychiatry, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) at St Vincent's Hospital, Level 4, The O'Brien Centre St. Vincent's Hospital, 394-404 Victoria Street Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia. Electronic address: j.newby@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Newby
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Level 10 Mathews Building, The University of New South Wales (UNSW), Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Sydney Children's Hospital, High Street Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia.
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.affiliation: MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge CB27EF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Aliza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Werner-Seidler
authors.affiliation: MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge CB27EF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Level 10 Mathews Building, The University of New South Wales (UNSW), Kensington, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Moulds
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D063189:Symptom Assessment; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cognitive behaviour therapy; Cognitive bias modification; Depression; Imagery; Intrusive memory; Memory; Thoughts