An exploration into the efficacy of home-based interpretive bias modification programmes on emotional pathology

Bristow, Katherine (2017) An exploration into the efficacy of home-based interpretive bias modification programmes on emotional pathology. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

This research portfolio sought to examine and extend current evidence around the potential for home-based Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) training to retrain interpretive biases and improve emotional pathology. To this aim, 12 published studies exploring this potential in
depression and anxiety were systematically reviewed. Overall, evidence for clearer training effects appeared to follow studies for which CBM targeted depressive interpretive biases, which typically adopted a different delivery modality for the training. Studies exploring CBM utility in anxiety-based presentations were less homogenous in their clinical focus. A common confound in this research appeared to be lack of between-group differences due to unanticipated improvements in control groups. An empirical study is then presented, which explored the efficacy of a home-based CBM package targeting worry in an older adult sample reporting generalised anxiety symptomology. Six individuals participated in this nonconcurrent
multiple baseline study involving a seven-day CBM training phase and follow-up.
The study identified a moderate response to CBM, in which half the sample showed evidence of training improvements in daily well-being measures. Overall changes in diagnostic scores of generalised anxiety symptomology indicated statistically reliable but not clinically
meaningful progress. Performance data provided key insight into potential moderating factors affecting CBM efficacy, such as anxiety-related interference of engagement with the training.Despite the study’s originality in terms of both the sample’s age cohort and clinical
presentation, the results largely coincide with the 12 reviewed studies. The portfolio concludes with recommendations for future research, with advice to extend the age range of study samples to include appropriate lifespan representation

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Users 2593 not found.
Date Deposited:	29 Nov 2017 11:42
Last Modified:	29 Nov 2017 11:42
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/65621
DOI:

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