This document describes a study that tested a cognitive-behavioral treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involving interoceptive exposure to visceral sensations. The study involved 110 participants with IBS who were randomized to receive either: (a) CBT with interoceptive exposure to gut sensations, (b) stress management therapy, or (c) an attention control. Results showed that the interoceptive exposure group had greater reductions in IBS symptoms and visceral sensitivity compared to the other groups, suggesting this approach may be an effective treatment for IBS by targeting hypervigilance and sensitivity to gut sensations.
ORIGINAL INVESTIGATIONPrebiotic intake reduces the waking .docxgerardkortney
ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION
Prebiotic intake reduces the waking cortisol response
and alters emotional bias in healthy volunteers
Kristin Schmidt & Philip J. Cowen & Catherine J. Harmer &
George Tzortzis & Steven Errington & Philip W. J. Burnet
Received: 23 July 2014 /Accepted: 10 November 2014 /Published online: 3 December 2014
# The Author(s) 2014. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com
Abstract
Rationale There is now compelling evidence for a link be-
tween enteric microbiota and brain function. The ingestion of
probiotics modulates the processing of information that is
strongly linked to anxiety and depression, and influences the
neuroendocrine stress response. We have recently demonstrat-
ed that prebiotics (soluble fibres that augment the growth of
indigenous microbiota) have significant neurobiological ef-
fects in rats, but their action in humans has not been reported.
Objectives The present study explored the effects of two
prebiotics on the secretion of the stress hormone, cortisol
and emotional processing in healthy volunteers.
Methods Forty-five healthy volunteers received one of two
prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides, FOS, or Bimuno®-galacto-
oligosaccharides, B-GOS) or a placebo (maltodextrin) daily for
3 weeks. The salivary cortisol awakening response was sam-
pled before and after prebiotic/placebo administration. On the
final day of treatment, participants completed a computerised
task battery assessing the processing of emotionally salient
information.
Results The salivary cortisol awakening response was signif-
icantly lower after B-GOS intake compared with placebo.
Participants also showed decreased attentional vigilance to
negative versus positive information in a dot-probe task after
B-GOS compared to placebo intake. No effects were found
after the administration of FOS.
Conclusion The suppression of the neuroendocrine stress
response and the increase in the processing of positive
versus negative attentional vigilance in subjects supple-
mented with B-GOS are consistent with previous find-
ings of endocrine and anxiolytic effects of microbiota
proliferation. Further studies are therefore needed to test
the utility of B-GOS supplementation in the treatment
of stress-related disorders.
Keywords Cortisol . Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis .
Gut microbiota . Prebiotics . Anxiety . Attention . Emotional
processing
Introduction
The adult human gut microbiota comprises over 1000
species and 7000 bacterial strains and is characterised
by a balanced compositional signature with moderate
inter-individual variability (Gareau et al. 2010; Cryan
and Dinan 2012). Probiotic strains, which have the
ability to confer beneficial effects upon the host, have
received renewed attention in recent years (e.g. Forsythe
and Kunze 2013). A particular focus has been put on
their ability to influence neural and endocrine systems
and behavioural phenotypes (Cryan and O’Mahony
2011; Dinan and Cryan 2012). Their potentia.
ORIGINAL INVESTIGATIONPrebiotic intake reduces the waking .docxgerardkortney
ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION
Prebiotic intake reduces the waking cortisol response
and alters emotional bias in healthy volunteers
Kristin Schmidt & Philip J. Cowen & Catherine J. Harmer &
George Tzortzis & Steven Errington & Philip W. J. Burnet
Received: 23 July 2014 /Accepted: 10 November 2014 /Published online: 3 December 2014
# The Author(s) 2014. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com
Abstract
Rationale There is now compelling evidence for a link be-
tween enteric microbiota and brain function. The ingestion of
probiotics modulates the processing of information that is
strongly linked to anxiety and depression, and influences the
neuroendocrine stress response. We have recently demonstrat-
ed that prebiotics (soluble fibres that augment the growth of
indigenous microbiota) have significant neurobiological ef-
fects in rats, but their action in humans has not been reported.
Objectives The present study explored the effects of two
prebiotics on the secretion of the stress hormone, cortisol
and emotional processing in healthy volunteers.
Methods Forty-five healthy volunteers received one of two
prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides, FOS, or Bimuno®-galacto-
oligosaccharides, B-GOS) or a placebo (maltodextrin) daily for
3 weeks. The salivary cortisol awakening response was sam-
pled before and after prebiotic/placebo administration. On the
final day of treatment, participants completed a computerised
task battery assessing the processing of emotionally salient
information.
Results The salivary cortisol awakening response was signif-
icantly lower after B-GOS intake compared with placebo.
Participants also showed decreased attentional vigilance to
negative versus positive information in a dot-probe task after
B-GOS compared to placebo intake. No effects were found
after the administration of FOS.
Conclusion The suppression of the neuroendocrine stress
response and the increase in the processing of positive
versus negative attentional vigilance in subjects supple-
mented with B-GOS are consistent with previous find-
ings of endocrine and anxiolytic effects of microbiota
proliferation. Further studies are therefore needed to test
the utility of B-GOS supplementation in the treatment
of stress-related disorders.
Keywords Cortisol . Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis .
Gut microbiota . Prebiotics . Anxiety . Attention . Emotional
processing
Introduction
The adult human gut microbiota comprises over 1000
species and 7000 bacterial strains and is characterised
by a balanced compositional signature with moderate
inter-individual variability (Gareau et al. 2010; Cryan
and Dinan 2012). Probiotic strains, which have the
ability to confer beneficial effects upon the host, have
received renewed attention in recent years (e.g. Forsythe
and Kunze 2013). A particular focus has been put on
their ability to influence neural and endocrine systems
and behavioural phenotypes (Cryan and O’Mahony
2011; Dinan and Cryan 2012). Their potentia.
As her final thesis topic for London College of Osteopathy and Health Sciences (LCO) Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice (DOMP) program, Dr. Fadila Naji examines the effects of osteopathy on patients' psychology.
Reviewing Cognitive Treatment for Eating Disorders: From Standard CBT Efficac...State of Mind
Reviewing Cognitive Treatment for Eating Disorders: From Standard CBT Efficacy to Worry, Rumination and Control Focused Interventions - EACBT 2015 Jerusalem
Running head: STRESS MANAGEMENT 1
STRESS MANAGEMENT 7
Stress Management
PSYCH/628
November 3, 2014
Stress Management
Stress is a constant encountered part of everyday life. If not managed, it can manifest with harmful effects on the physical and psychological health of the affected individual. From the case scenario, physiological, behavioral and self-report methods can be important for measuring my stress levels. The stress experienced mainly stems from maladaptive thoughts such as constant worries, feelings of helplessness and unrealistic expectations. These thoughts can subject me to chronic depression if I do not take effective and timely measures to guard against them. Evidence-based intervention methods that can aid me in reducing the stress levels include biofeedback, cognitive restructuring and emotional disclosure. It is worthwhile to note that cognitive behavioral approaches are effective in measuring stress and sleep deprivation because of their objectivity, validity, reliability and ease of use. This paper will provide a complete analysis of the methods for measuring stress, highlighting some maladaptive thoughts that might lead to increased stress and examines some evidence-based intervention methods for reducing stress. This paper concludes with a discussion about on the efficacy of cognitive behavioral approach in measuring stress and sleep problems.
Physiological, Behavioral and Self-Report Methods for Measuring Stress Level
To measure my stress levels, I will utilize various physiological, behavioral and self-report methods. The physiological measurements will use a small polygraph to monitor various arousal indicators. Through the use of this mechanical instrument, I will be able to take measurements such as heart rate, blood pressure, galvanic skin response (GSR) and respiratory rate, all of which are important determinants of an individual’s stress levels (Brannon & Feist, 2013). I will also evaluate my blood and urine samples for the level of hormones secreted by the adrenal glands. The two major classes of hormones that I will plan on analyzing include catecholamine and corticosteroids. According to Brannon & Feist (2013), some of the advantages of using physiological arousal measures include reliability, easy quantification, along with directness and high levels of objectivity.
The rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure and the shortness of breathe that I currently experiencing may be an indicator of high levels of stress. The other viable technique for measuring my stress level can be accomplished through the use of a self-report. This will involve developing a scale to monitor the impact of life events and hassles on my normal bodily functions. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRC) will be pertinent in this task. .
contentserver__5_.pdfAging & Mental Health, January 2007; .docxdonnajames55
contentserver__5_.pdf
Aging & Mental Health, January 2007; 11(1): 89–98
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The relationship of optimism, pain and social support to well-being in
older adults with osteoarthritis
V. M. FERREIRA & A. M. SHERMAN
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, US
(Received 30 August 2005; accepted 13 March 2006)
Abstract
Improving the psychological well-being of individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) is an important concern because the
condition is highly prevalent and has no known cure. Few studies have assessed the joint contribution of social, personality,
and physical factors in relation to well-being for OA patients. In a cross-sectional sample of older adults with OA (n ¼ 73,
73% female), we assessed the role of support perceptions, optimism and pain in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction.
Greater optimism and support were significantly related to both greater life satisfaction and lower depressive symptoms.
Further, optimism partially mediated the relationship of pain to life satisfaction, while support partially mediated the role of
pain in depressive symptoms. The interplay of these variables in relation to well-being is discussed in the context of chronic
illness and older adulthood.
Introduction
Many older adults (85% of those over 75) currently
experience a painful and often disabling disease,
osteoarthritis (OA), for which there is no known cure
(Sack, 1995). Osteoarthritis can negatively impact
many aspects of life, including both social and
physical functioning (Bookwala, Harralson, &
Parmalee, 2003) through pain, physical and psycho-
social limitations on valued activities, as well as
comorbid depressive symptoms (Penninx et al.,
1998). It is important to investigate factors that
relate to psychological health outcomes of OA
patients in order to better understand how to
improve well-being. As Keefe and his colleagues
suggest (Keefe & Bonk, 1999; Keefe et al., 2002),
there exists a complex interplay of symptomology,
social and psychological factors in arthritis patients.
In the following sections, we review the role of
optimism, social support, and pain as important
correlates of psychological well-being, particularly
for older adults.
Pain
The common and persistent nature of pain asso-
ciated with OA (Schumacker, 1988) may be a reason
for the variability in the well-being of OA patients
(e.g., de Vellis et al., 1986; Klinger, Spaulding,
Polatajko, MacKinnon, & Miller, 1999). Pain has a
strong relationship with many other health-
related variables in older adults with arthritis
(Roberts, Matecjyck, & Anthony, 1996). In OA
samples, greater pain is a stressor linked to lower
social support and well-being (de Vellis et al., 1986).
Pain is also associated with greater depressive
symptoms (Bookwala et al., 2003; Klinger et al.,
1999) and lower life satisfaction (Laborde & Powers,
1985) in patients with OA. However, Blixen and
Kippes (1999) present contrasting evidence showing
that pain from OA is unrelated to life sat.
The Reduction of Anxiety on the Ability to Make DecisionsAbbie Frank
A research study I had done in my Cognition psychology class to look at the reduction of anxiety using yoga and animal assisted therapy and the affects they can have on decision making.
Cognitive conflicts in major depression: Between desired change and personal ...Guillem Feixas
Article in British Journal of Clinical Psychology (early view). Abstract:
Objectives
The notion of intra-psychic conflict has been present in psychopathology for more than a century within different theoretical orientations. However, internal conflicts have not received enough empirical attention, nor has their importance in depression been fully elaborated. This study is based on the notion of cognitive conflict, understood as implicative dilemma, and on a new way of identifying these conflicts by means of the repertory grid technique. Our aim is to explore the relevance of cognitive conflicts among depressive patients.
Design
Comparison between persons with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and community controls.
Methods
161 patients with major depression and 110 non-depressed participants were assessed for presence of implicative dilemmas and level of symptom severity. The content of these cognitive conflicts was also analysed.
Results
Repertory grid analysis indicated conflict (presence of implicative dilemma/s) in a greater proportion of depressive patients than in controls. Taking only those grids with conflict, the average number of implicative dilemmas per person was higher in the depression group.
In addition, participants with cognitive conflicts displayed higher symptom severity. Within the clinical sample, patients with implicative dilemmas presented lower levels of global functioning and a more frequent history of suicide attempts.
Conclusions
Cognitive conflicts were more prevalent in depressive patients and were associated with clinical severity. Conflict assessment at pre-therapy could aid in treatment planning to fit patient characteristics.
Practitioner Points
• Internal conflicts have been postulated in clinical psychology for a long time but there is little evidence about its relevance due to the lack of methods to measure them.
• We developed a method for identifying conflicts using the Repertory Grid Technique.
• Depressive patients have higher presence and number of conflicts than controls.
• Conflicts (implicative dilemmas) can be a new target for intervention in depression.
Cautions/Limitations
• A cross-sectional design precluded causal conclusions.
• The role of implicative dilemmas in the causation or maintenance of depression cannot be ascertained from this study.
ALCohoL ReSeARCh C u r r e n t R e v i e w s506 Alcohol .docxADDY50
ALCohoL ReSeARCh: C u r r e n t R e v i e w s
506 Alcohol Research: C u r r e n t R e v i e w s
Resilience to Meet the
Challenge of Addiction
Psychobiology and Clinical Considerations
Tanja N. Alim, M.D.; William B. Lawson, M.D.; Adriana Feder, M.D.; Brian M.
Iacoviello, Ph.D.; Shireen Saxena, M.S.; Christopher R. Bailey; Allison M.
Greene, M.S.; and Alexander Neumeister, M.D.
Tanja N. Alim, M.D., is an assis-
tant professor and William B.
Lawson, M.D., is a professor
and chair of the Department
of Psychiatry, both at the
Department of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Sciences, Howard
University, Washington, DC.
Adriana Feder, M.D., is an assistant
professor; Brian M. Iacoviello,
Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow;
and Shireen Saxena, M.S.,
Christopher R. Bailey, and
Allison M. Greene, M.S., are
research associates; all at the
Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Program, Department of Psychiatry,
Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
New York, New York.
Alexander Neumeister, M.D., is
a professor in the Department of
Psychiatry and Radiology, New
York University Langone Medical
Center, New York, New York.
Acute and chronic stress–related mechanisms play an important role in the
development of addiction and its chronic, relapsing nature. Multisystem adaptations in
brain, body, behavioral, and social function may contribute to a dysregulated
physiological state that is maintained beyond the homeostatic range. In addition,
chronic abuse of substances leads to an altered set point across multiple systems.
Resilience can be defined as the absence of psychopathology despite exposure to
high stress and reflects a person’s ability to cope successfully in the face of adversity,
demonstrating adaptive psychological and physiological stress responses. The study of
resilience can be approached by examining interindividual stress responsibility at
multiple phenotypic levels, ranging from psychological differences in the way people
cope with stress to differences in neurochemical or neural circuitry function. The
ultimate goal of such research is the development of strategies and interventions to
enhance resilience and coping in the face of stress and prevent the onset of addiction
problems or relapse. Key WoRDS: Addiction; substance abuse; stress; acute stress
reaction; chronic stress reaction; biological adaptation to stress; psychological
response to stress; physiological response to stress; resilience; relapse; coping
skills; psychobiology
evidence from different disciplinessuggests that acute and chronicstress–related mechanisms play
an important role in both the develop-
ment and the chronic, relapsing nature
of addiction (Baumeister 2003; Baumeister
et al. 1994; Brady and Sinha 2005).
Stress is defined as the physiological
and psychological process resulting from
a challenge to homeostasis by any real
or perceived demand on the body
(Lazarus and Fokman 1984; McEwen
2000; Selye 1976). Stress often induces
multisystem adaptations that occur in
the brain and .
ALCohoL ReSeARCh C u r r e n t R e v i e w s506 Alcohol .docxSHIVA101531
ALCohoL ReSeARCh: C u r r e n t R e v i e w s
506 Alcohol Research: C u r r e n t R e v i e w s
Resilience to Meet the
Challenge of Addiction
Psychobiology and Clinical Considerations
Tanja N. Alim, M.D.; William B. Lawson, M.D.; Adriana Feder, M.D.; Brian M.
Iacoviello, Ph.D.; Shireen Saxena, M.S.; Christopher R. Bailey; Allison M.
Greene, M.S.; and Alexander Neumeister, M.D.
Tanja N. Alim, M.D., is an assis-
tant professor and William B.
Lawson, M.D., is a professor
and chair of the Department
of Psychiatry, both at the
Department of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Sciences, Howard
University, Washington, DC.
Adriana Feder, M.D., is an assistant
professor; Brian M. Iacoviello,
Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow;
and Shireen Saxena, M.S.,
Christopher R. Bailey, and
Allison M. Greene, M.S., are
research associates; all at the
Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Program, Department of Psychiatry,
Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
New York, New York.
Alexander Neumeister, M.D., is
a professor in the Department of
Psychiatry and Radiology, New
York University Langone Medical
Center, New York, New York.
Acute and chronic stress–related mechanisms play an important role in the
development of addiction and its chronic, relapsing nature. Multisystem adaptations in
brain, body, behavioral, and social function may contribute to a dysregulated
physiological state that is maintained beyond the homeostatic range. In addition,
chronic abuse of substances leads to an altered set point across multiple systems.
Resilience can be defined as the absence of psychopathology despite exposure to
high stress and reflects a person’s ability to cope successfully in the face of adversity,
demonstrating adaptive psychological and physiological stress responses. The study of
resilience can be approached by examining interindividual stress responsibility at
multiple phenotypic levels, ranging from psychological differences in the way people
cope with stress to differences in neurochemical or neural circuitry function. The
ultimate goal of such research is the development of strategies and interventions to
enhance resilience and coping in the face of stress and prevent the onset of addiction
problems or relapse. Key WoRDS: Addiction; substance abuse; stress; acute stress
reaction; chronic stress reaction; biological adaptation to stress; psychological
response to stress; physiological response to stress; resilience; relapse; coping
skills; psychobiology
evidence from different disciplinessuggests that acute and chronicstress–related mechanisms play
an important role in both the develop-
ment and the chronic, relapsing nature
of addiction (Baumeister 2003; Baumeister
et al. 1994; Brady and Sinha 2005).
Stress is defined as the physiological
and psychological process resulting from
a challenge to homeostasis by any real
or perceived demand on the body
(Lazarus and Fokman 1984; McEwen
2000; Selye 1976). Stress often induces
multisystem adaptations that occur in
the brain and .
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common chronic pain condition that affects at least 2% of the adult population. Chronic widespread pain is the defining feature of FM, but patients may also exhibit a range of other symptoms, including sleep disturbance, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches and mood disorders. While the aetiology of the condition is not completely understood, it is believed that a number of factors (rather than one in isolation) are most likely to lead to its development. Thus, the onset of fibromyalgia syndrome can be influenced by hormonal and/or chemical imbalances, chronic stress and/or a traumatic event, genetic predisposition and even pre-existing illness.
In this hour-long webinar, Dr Nina Bailey covers:
• An overview of the aetiology of fibromyalgia
• The signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia
• Factors that can contribute to or exacerbate fibromyalgia syndrome
• Managing symptoms via dietary manipulation and lifestyle change
• Supporting nutrients/supplements for those with fibromyalgia syndrome
Pain Theories and Treatment PresentationPSYCH628N.docxalfred4lewis58146
Pain Theories and Treatment Presentation
PSYCH/628
November 10, 2014
Week 4 Team B presentation
1
Introduction
Gate Control Theory
Behavioral Pain Theory
Use of Psychogenic Pain in Theories
Evidence-Based Interventions in Theories
“Pain is major health problem that affects more than 50 million American, costing more than $100 billion annually” (Straub, 2012 p. 418). This cost is a direct effect of health care cost and lost of wages and is most sort for treatment by patients. Often pain is formed through biological, psychological, and sociobehavioral forces. Pain signals that something is wrong and to take precautions but, not feeling on the other hand can be harmful. Because pain is such a strong motivator for action, it is considered one of the body's most important protective mechanisms. Pain is divided into three categories known as acute, recurrent, and chronic pain. There are several theories of pain that have been formulated such as the gate control theory and behavioral pain theory that will be discussed and defined within this presentation. The presentation will discussed psychogenic pain as the chosen pain disorder selected by Team B. As part of this specific disorder (psychogenic pain) the way in which this pain disorder can be understood through the use of the gate control theory and behavioral pain theory will be defined. Also, potential evidence-based interventions in regards to the two theories (gate control & behavioral pain) and there use in treatment planning will be discussed.
2
Gate Control Theory
“In 1965, Ronald Melzack and Peter wall outlined a gate control theory (GCT) that moved past some of the shortcomings of earlier theories” (Straub, 2012 p. 428). This theory involves a mechanism in the brain acts as a gate to increase or decrease the flow of nerve impulses from the peripheral fibers to the central nervous system. As depicted in diagram above "open" gate allows the flow of nerve impulses, and the brain can perceive pain. A "closed" gate does not allow flow of nerve impulses, decreasing the perception of pain (Srivastava, 2010). The gate control theory looks at the complex structure of the of the central nervous system that involves the central and peripheral nervous systems. “In the gate control theory, the experience of pain depends on a complex interplay of these two systems as they each process pain signals in their own way (Deardorff, 2003).
3
Behavioral Pain Theory
Physiological Theory
Cognitive Theory
There are two types of pain; fundamental “sensory” pain, the intensity of which is a direct function of the intensity of various pain stimuli, and “psychological” pain, the intensity of which is highly modifiable by such factors as hypnotism, placebos, and the sociocultural setting in which the stimulus occurs(Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, N.Y. , 2014).
Physiological, cognitive, and behavioral theories .
As her final thesis topic for London College of Osteopathy and Health Sciences (LCO) Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice (DOMP) program, Dr. Fadila Naji examines the effects of osteopathy on patients' psychology.
Reviewing Cognitive Treatment for Eating Disorders: From Standard CBT Efficac...State of Mind
Reviewing Cognitive Treatment for Eating Disorders: From Standard CBT Efficacy to Worry, Rumination and Control Focused Interventions - EACBT 2015 Jerusalem
Running head: STRESS MANAGEMENT 1
STRESS MANAGEMENT 7
Stress Management
PSYCH/628
November 3, 2014
Stress Management
Stress is a constant encountered part of everyday life. If not managed, it can manifest with harmful effects on the physical and psychological health of the affected individual. From the case scenario, physiological, behavioral and self-report methods can be important for measuring my stress levels. The stress experienced mainly stems from maladaptive thoughts such as constant worries, feelings of helplessness and unrealistic expectations. These thoughts can subject me to chronic depression if I do not take effective and timely measures to guard against them. Evidence-based intervention methods that can aid me in reducing the stress levels include biofeedback, cognitive restructuring and emotional disclosure. It is worthwhile to note that cognitive behavioral approaches are effective in measuring stress and sleep deprivation because of their objectivity, validity, reliability and ease of use. This paper will provide a complete analysis of the methods for measuring stress, highlighting some maladaptive thoughts that might lead to increased stress and examines some evidence-based intervention methods for reducing stress. This paper concludes with a discussion about on the efficacy of cognitive behavioral approach in measuring stress and sleep problems.
Physiological, Behavioral and Self-Report Methods for Measuring Stress Level
To measure my stress levels, I will utilize various physiological, behavioral and self-report methods. The physiological measurements will use a small polygraph to monitor various arousal indicators. Through the use of this mechanical instrument, I will be able to take measurements such as heart rate, blood pressure, galvanic skin response (GSR) and respiratory rate, all of which are important determinants of an individual’s stress levels (Brannon & Feist, 2013). I will also evaluate my blood and urine samples for the level of hormones secreted by the adrenal glands. The two major classes of hormones that I will plan on analyzing include catecholamine and corticosteroids. According to Brannon & Feist (2013), some of the advantages of using physiological arousal measures include reliability, easy quantification, along with directness and high levels of objectivity.
The rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure and the shortness of breathe that I currently experiencing may be an indicator of high levels of stress. The other viable technique for measuring my stress level can be accomplished through the use of a self-report. This will involve developing a scale to monitor the impact of life events and hassles on my normal bodily functions. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRC) will be pertinent in this task. .
contentserver__5_.pdfAging & Mental Health, January 2007; .docxdonnajames55
contentserver__5_.pdf
Aging & Mental Health, January 2007; 11(1): 89–98
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The relationship of optimism, pain and social support to well-being in
older adults with osteoarthritis
V. M. FERREIRA & A. M. SHERMAN
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, US
(Received 30 August 2005; accepted 13 March 2006)
Abstract
Improving the psychological well-being of individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) is an important concern because the
condition is highly prevalent and has no known cure. Few studies have assessed the joint contribution of social, personality,
and physical factors in relation to well-being for OA patients. In a cross-sectional sample of older adults with OA (n ¼ 73,
73% female), we assessed the role of support perceptions, optimism and pain in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction.
Greater optimism and support were significantly related to both greater life satisfaction and lower depressive symptoms.
Further, optimism partially mediated the relationship of pain to life satisfaction, while support partially mediated the role of
pain in depressive symptoms. The interplay of these variables in relation to well-being is discussed in the context of chronic
illness and older adulthood.
Introduction
Many older adults (85% of those over 75) currently
experience a painful and often disabling disease,
osteoarthritis (OA), for which there is no known cure
(Sack, 1995). Osteoarthritis can negatively impact
many aspects of life, including both social and
physical functioning (Bookwala, Harralson, &
Parmalee, 2003) through pain, physical and psycho-
social limitations on valued activities, as well as
comorbid depressive symptoms (Penninx et al.,
1998). It is important to investigate factors that
relate to psychological health outcomes of OA
patients in order to better understand how to
improve well-being. As Keefe and his colleagues
suggest (Keefe & Bonk, 1999; Keefe et al., 2002),
there exists a complex interplay of symptomology,
social and psychological factors in arthritis patients.
In the following sections, we review the role of
optimism, social support, and pain as important
correlates of psychological well-being, particularly
for older adults.
Pain
The common and persistent nature of pain asso-
ciated with OA (Schumacker, 1988) may be a reason
for the variability in the well-being of OA patients
(e.g., de Vellis et al., 1986; Klinger, Spaulding,
Polatajko, MacKinnon, & Miller, 1999). Pain has a
strong relationship with many other health-
related variables in older adults with arthritis
(Roberts, Matecjyck, & Anthony, 1996). In OA
samples, greater pain is a stressor linked to lower
social support and well-being (de Vellis et al., 1986).
Pain is also associated with greater depressive
symptoms (Bookwala et al., 2003; Klinger et al.,
1999) and lower life satisfaction (Laborde & Powers,
1985) in patients with OA. However, Blixen and
Kippes (1999) present contrasting evidence showing
that pain from OA is unrelated to life sat.
The Reduction of Anxiety on the Ability to Make DecisionsAbbie Frank
A research study I had done in my Cognition psychology class to look at the reduction of anxiety using yoga and animal assisted therapy and the affects they can have on decision making.
Cognitive conflicts in major depression: Between desired change and personal ...Guillem Feixas
Article in British Journal of Clinical Psychology (early view). Abstract:
Objectives
The notion of intra-psychic conflict has been present in psychopathology for more than a century within different theoretical orientations. However, internal conflicts have not received enough empirical attention, nor has their importance in depression been fully elaborated. This study is based on the notion of cognitive conflict, understood as implicative dilemma, and on a new way of identifying these conflicts by means of the repertory grid technique. Our aim is to explore the relevance of cognitive conflicts among depressive patients.
Design
Comparison between persons with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and community controls.
Methods
161 patients with major depression and 110 non-depressed participants were assessed for presence of implicative dilemmas and level of symptom severity. The content of these cognitive conflicts was also analysed.
Results
Repertory grid analysis indicated conflict (presence of implicative dilemma/s) in a greater proportion of depressive patients than in controls. Taking only those grids with conflict, the average number of implicative dilemmas per person was higher in the depression group.
In addition, participants with cognitive conflicts displayed higher symptom severity. Within the clinical sample, patients with implicative dilemmas presented lower levels of global functioning and a more frequent history of suicide attempts.
Conclusions
Cognitive conflicts were more prevalent in depressive patients and were associated with clinical severity. Conflict assessment at pre-therapy could aid in treatment planning to fit patient characteristics.
Practitioner Points
• Internal conflicts have been postulated in clinical psychology for a long time but there is little evidence about its relevance due to the lack of methods to measure them.
• We developed a method for identifying conflicts using the Repertory Grid Technique.
• Depressive patients have higher presence and number of conflicts than controls.
• Conflicts (implicative dilemmas) can be a new target for intervention in depression.
Cautions/Limitations
• A cross-sectional design precluded causal conclusions.
• The role of implicative dilemmas in the causation or maintenance of depression cannot be ascertained from this study.
ALCohoL ReSeARCh C u r r e n t R e v i e w s506 Alcohol .docxADDY50
ALCohoL ReSeARCh: C u r r e n t R e v i e w s
506 Alcohol Research: C u r r e n t R e v i e w s
Resilience to Meet the
Challenge of Addiction
Psychobiology and Clinical Considerations
Tanja N. Alim, M.D.; William B. Lawson, M.D.; Adriana Feder, M.D.; Brian M.
Iacoviello, Ph.D.; Shireen Saxena, M.S.; Christopher R. Bailey; Allison M.
Greene, M.S.; and Alexander Neumeister, M.D.
Tanja N. Alim, M.D., is an assis-
tant professor and William B.
Lawson, M.D., is a professor
and chair of the Department
of Psychiatry, both at the
Department of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Sciences, Howard
University, Washington, DC.
Adriana Feder, M.D., is an assistant
professor; Brian M. Iacoviello,
Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow;
and Shireen Saxena, M.S.,
Christopher R. Bailey, and
Allison M. Greene, M.S., are
research associates; all at the
Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Program, Department of Psychiatry,
Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
New York, New York.
Alexander Neumeister, M.D., is
a professor in the Department of
Psychiatry and Radiology, New
York University Langone Medical
Center, New York, New York.
Acute and chronic stress–related mechanisms play an important role in the
development of addiction and its chronic, relapsing nature. Multisystem adaptations in
brain, body, behavioral, and social function may contribute to a dysregulated
physiological state that is maintained beyond the homeostatic range. In addition,
chronic abuse of substances leads to an altered set point across multiple systems.
Resilience can be defined as the absence of psychopathology despite exposure to
high stress and reflects a person’s ability to cope successfully in the face of adversity,
demonstrating adaptive psychological and physiological stress responses. The study of
resilience can be approached by examining interindividual stress responsibility at
multiple phenotypic levels, ranging from psychological differences in the way people
cope with stress to differences in neurochemical or neural circuitry function. The
ultimate goal of such research is the development of strategies and interventions to
enhance resilience and coping in the face of stress and prevent the onset of addiction
problems or relapse. Key WoRDS: Addiction; substance abuse; stress; acute stress
reaction; chronic stress reaction; biological adaptation to stress; psychological
response to stress; physiological response to stress; resilience; relapse; coping
skills; psychobiology
evidence from different disciplinessuggests that acute and chronicstress–related mechanisms play
an important role in both the develop-
ment and the chronic, relapsing nature
of addiction (Baumeister 2003; Baumeister
et al. 1994; Brady and Sinha 2005).
Stress is defined as the physiological
and psychological process resulting from
a challenge to homeostasis by any real
or perceived demand on the body
(Lazarus and Fokman 1984; McEwen
2000; Selye 1976). Stress often induces
multisystem adaptations that occur in
the brain and .
ALCohoL ReSeARCh C u r r e n t R e v i e w s506 Alcohol .docxSHIVA101531
ALCohoL ReSeARCh: C u r r e n t R e v i e w s
506 Alcohol Research: C u r r e n t R e v i e w s
Resilience to Meet the
Challenge of Addiction
Psychobiology and Clinical Considerations
Tanja N. Alim, M.D.; William B. Lawson, M.D.; Adriana Feder, M.D.; Brian M.
Iacoviello, Ph.D.; Shireen Saxena, M.S.; Christopher R. Bailey; Allison M.
Greene, M.S.; and Alexander Neumeister, M.D.
Tanja N. Alim, M.D., is an assis-
tant professor and William B.
Lawson, M.D., is a professor
and chair of the Department
of Psychiatry, both at the
Department of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Sciences, Howard
University, Washington, DC.
Adriana Feder, M.D., is an assistant
professor; Brian M. Iacoviello,
Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow;
and Shireen Saxena, M.S.,
Christopher R. Bailey, and
Allison M. Greene, M.S., are
research associates; all at the
Mood and Anxiety Disorders
Program, Department of Psychiatry,
Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
New York, New York.
Alexander Neumeister, M.D., is
a professor in the Department of
Psychiatry and Radiology, New
York University Langone Medical
Center, New York, New York.
Acute and chronic stress–related mechanisms play an important role in the
development of addiction and its chronic, relapsing nature. Multisystem adaptations in
brain, body, behavioral, and social function may contribute to a dysregulated
physiological state that is maintained beyond the homeostatic range. In addition,
chronic abuse of substances leads to an altered set point across multiple systems.
Resilience can be defined as the absence of psychopathology despite exposure to
high stress and reflects a person’s ability to cope successfully in the face of adversity,
demonstrating adaptive psychological and physiological stress responses. The study of
resilience can be approached by examining interindividual stress responsibility at
multiple phenotypic levels, ranging from psychological differences in the way people
cope with stress to differences in neurochemical or neural circuitry function. The
ultimate goal of such research is the development of strategies and interventions to
enhance resilience and coping in the face of stress and prevent the onset of addiction
problems or relapse. Key WoRDS: Addiction; substance abuse; stress; acute stress
reaction; chronic stress reaction; biological adaptation to stress; psychological
response to stress; physiological response to stress; resilience; relapse; coping
skills; psychobiology
evidence from different disciplinessuggests that acute and chronicstress–related mechanisms play
an important role in both the develop-
ment and the chronic, relapsing nature
of addiction (Baumeister 2003; Baumeister
et al. 1994; Brady and Sinha 2005).
Stress is defined as the physiological
and psychological process resulting from
a challenge to homeostasis by any real
or perceived demand on the body
(Lazarus and Fokman 1984; McEwen
2000; Selye 1976). Stress often induces
multisystem adaptations that occur in
the brain and .
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common chronic pain condition that affects at least 2% of the adult population. Chronic widespread pain is the defining feature of FM, but patients may also exhibit a range of other symptoms, including sleep disturbance, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches and mood disorders. While the aetiology of the condition is not completely understood, it is believed that a number of factors (rather than one in isolation) are most likely to lead to its development. Thus, the onset of fibromyalgia syndrome can be influenced by hormonal and/or chemical imbalances, chronic stress and/or a traumatic event, genetic predisposition and even pre-existing illness.
In this hour-long webinar, Dr Nina Bailey covers:
• An overview of the aetiology of fibromyalgia
• The signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia
• Factors that can contribute to or exacerbate fibromyalgia syndrome
• Managing symptoms via dietary manipulation and lifestyle change
• Supporting nutrients/supplements for those with fibromyalgia syndrome
Pain Theories and Treatment PresentationPSYCH628N.docxalfred4lewis58146
Pain Theories and Treatment Presentation
PSYCH/628
November 10, 2014
Week 4 Team B presentation
1
Introduction
Gate Control Theory
Behavioral Pain Theory
Use of Psychogenic Pain in Theories
Evidence-Based Interventions in Theories
“Pain is major health problem that affects more than 50 million American, costing more than $100 billion annually” (Straub, 2012 p. 418). This cost is a direct effect of health care cost and lost of wages and is most sort for treatment by patients. Often pain is formed through biological, psychological, and sociobehavioral forces. Pain signals that something is wrong and to take precautions but, not feeling on the other hand can be harmful. Because pain is such a strong motivator for action, it is considered one of the body's most important protective mechanisms. Pain is divided into three categories known as acute, recurrent, and chronic pain. There are several theories of pain that have been formulated such as the gate control theory and behavioral pain theory that will be discussed and defined within this presentation. The presentation will discussed psychogenic pain as the chosen pain disorder selected by Team B. As part of this specific disorder (psychogenic pain) the way in which this pain disorder can be understood through the use of the gate control theory and behavioral pain theory will be defined. Also, potential evidence-based interventions in regards to the two theories (gate control & behavioral pain) and there use in treatment planning will be discussed.
2
Gate Control Theory
“In 1965, Ronald Melzack and Peter wall outlined a gate control theory (GCT) that moved past some of the shortcomings of earlier theories” (Straub, 2012 p. 428). This theory involves a mechanism in the brain acts as a gate to increase or decrease the flow of nerve impulses from the peripheral fibers to the central nervous system. As depicted in diagram above "open" gate allows the flow of nerve impulses, and the brain can perceive pain. A "closed" gate does not allow flow of nerve impulses, decreasing the perception of pain (Srivastava, 2010). The gate control theory looks at the complex structure of the of the central nervous system that involves the central and peripheral nervous systems. “In the gate control theory, the experience of pain depends on a complex interplay of these two systems as they each process pain signals in their own way (Deardorff, 2003).
3
Behavioral Pain Theory
Physiological Theory
Cognitive Theory
There are two types of pain; fundamental “sensory” pain, the intensity of which is a direct function of the intensity of various pain stimuli, and “psychological” pain, the intensity of which is highly modifiable by such factors as hypnotism, placebos, and the sociocultural setting in which the stimulus occurs(Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, N.Y. , 2014).
Physiological, cognitive, and behavioral theories .
A workshop hosted by the South African Journal of Science aimed at postgraduate students and early career researchers with little or no experience in writing and publishing journal articles.
June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
This Congress will not stand idly by and allow an environment hostile to Jewish students to persist. The House believes that your institution is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the inability or
unwillingness to rectify this violation through action requires accountability.
Postsecondary education is a unique opportunity for students to learn and have their ideas and beliefs challenged. However, universities receiving hundreds of millions of federal funds annually have denied
students that opportunity and have been hijacked to become venues for the promotion of terrorism, antisemitic harassment and intimidation, unlawful encampments, and in some cases, assaults and riots.
The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
• The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating the sources of funding and other support flowing to groups espousing pro-Hamas propaganda and engaged in antisemitic harassment and intimidation of students. The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is the principal oversight committee of the US House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate “any matter” at “any time” under House Rule X.
• The Committee on Ways and Means has been investigating several universities since November 15, 2023, when the Committee held a hearing entitled From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus Between Antisemitism, Tax-Exempt Universities, and Terror Financing. The Committee followed the hearing with letters to those institutions on January 10, 202
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
Macroeconomics- Movie Location
This will be used as part of your Personal Professional Portfolio once graded.
Objective:
Prepare a presentation or a paper using research, basic comparative analysis, data organization and application of economic information. You will make an informed assessment of an economic climate outside of the United States to accomplish an entertainment industry objective.
Safalta Digital marketing institute in Noida, provide complete applications that encompass a huge range of virtual advertising and marketing additives, which includes search engine optimization, virtual communication advertising, pay-per-click on marketing, content material advertising, internet analytics, and greater. These university courses are designed for students who possess a comprehensive understanding of virtual marketing strategies and attributes.Safalta Digital Marketing Institute in Noida is a first choice for young individuals or students who are looking to start their careers in the field of digital advertising. The institute gives specialized courses designed and certification.
for beginners, providing thorough training in areas such as SEO, digital communication marketing, and PPC training in Noida. After finishing the program, students receive the certifications recognised by top different universitie, setting a strong foundation for a successful career in digital marketing.
Model Attribute Check Company Auto PropertyCeline George
In Odoo, the multi-company feature allows you to manage multiple companies within a single Odoo database instance. Each company can have its own configurations while still sharing common resources such as products, customers, and suppliers.
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
2. for enhanced visceral sensitivity (Mayer et al., 2001). GI symptom-specific anxiety may be
an especially important variable leading to increased pain sensitivity, hypervigilance, and
poor coping responses (Labus et al 2004; Hazlett-Stevens et al., 2003). Consequently,
visceral anxiety is seen as a primary affective disturbance in IBS and as the mediating
variable between other risk factors (e.g., neuroticism, trait anxiety, worry) and IBS symptom
severity (Labus et al., 2005).
Existing psychological treatments for IBS include psychodynamic psychotherapy,
hypnotherapy, and cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy. Most of these
approaches share the assumption that stress or anxiety is a critical feature that needs to be
addressed during treatment, and suggest that stress acts to increase IBS symptoms or that
increased stress reactivity (or neuroticism) results in IBS symptoms. For example,
multicomponent cognitive-behavioral treatments (Blanchard, Schwarz, Suls, Gerardi,
Scharff, Greene, Taylor, Berreman, & Malamood, 1992; Greene & Blanchard, 1994; Payne
& Blanchard, 1995; Vollmer & Blanchard, 1998, Drossman et al, 2003, Lackner et al, 2008)
aim to increase awareness of the association among stressors, thoughts, and IBS symptoms,
identify and modify cognitive appraisals of situations and behaviors, and change depressive
and/or anxiety-based schema (Vollmer & Blanchard, 1998). Several reviews and a meta-
analysis generally support the efficacy of these interventions for decreasing IBS symptom
severity and associated anxiety and depression when compared to no treatment or standard
medical care (Lackner et al., 2004; Blanchard & Scharff, 2002; Lackner et al., 2008).
However, findings regarding differences from attention control conditions, such as patient
education, are mixed (Drossman et al., 2003; Creed et al., 2003). As mentioned, these
treatments focus on general stress management, and do not directly address the specific
hypervigilance and hypersensitivity to visceral sensations observed in IBS. Outcomes may
be improved with such a direct focus of treatment. In support, hypnotherapy for IBS, which
has shown successful symptomatic outcomes, focuses on specific suggestions for calming
the digestive system and normalizing GI function (Palsson, et al, 2002)
The hypersensitivity and hypervigilance to gut sensations observed in IBS is analogous to
the sensitivity to bodily sensations observed in panic disorder, in which anxiety becomes
acutely focused on somatic sensations associated with panic attacks. For example,
individuals with panic disorder become anxious during procedures that elicit sensations
similar to ones experienced during panic attacks, such as hyperventilation (Antony, Ledley,
Liss, & Swinson, 2006; Gorman et al., 1994; Perna et al., 1995), fear signals that ostensibly
reflect heightened arousal in false physiological feedback paradigms (Craske, Lang, Rowe et
al., 2002; Ehlers, Margraf, Roth et al., 1988), and preferentially attend to heartbeat stimuli
and panic-related verbal stimuli (Kroeze & van den Hout, 2000; Pauli et al., 2005;
Teachman, Smith-Janik, & Saporito, 2007). This sensitivity to bodily sensations has been
attributed to conditional fear of internal cues (such as elevated heart rate) due to their
association with intense fear/distress (Razran, 1961; Bouton et al., 2001) and catastrophic
appraisals of bodily sensations as causing physical or mental harm (Clark, 1986; Clark et al.,
1988). Consequently, low-level bodily sensations produce anxiety (via conditioning and/or
catastrophic appraisals) and the resultant anxiety-induced autonomic arousal intensifies the
sensations that are feared, thus creating a reciprocating cycle of fear and sensations that
builds into a panic attack (Barlow, 1988, 2002). In turn, anxiety increases the likelihood of
panic attacks, by directly increasing the availability of, and/or attentional vigilance to,
sensations that have become cues for panic. Finally, avoidance behaviors are believed to
maintain catastrophic beliefs about bodily sensations and interrupt natural extinction of
conditional fear of bodily sensations.
The corresponding treatment involves cognitive skills for misappraisals of bodily sensations
and repeated exposure to feared bodily sensations and situations where panic attacks are
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3. expected to occur, in order to extinguish conditional fear responding and provide further
evidence to dispute catastrophic misappraisals (e.g., Barlow & Craske, 1994). This treatment
has proven to be highly effective for panic disorder (e.g., Barlow et al., 1989; Craske et al.,
1997). This model and treatment of panic disorder can be easily translated to a model of
treatment for IBS. That is, the fear of gut sensations may contribute to pain intensity and
acute IBS episodes. The anxiety about future IBS symptoms and associated vigilance to
visceral sensations are likely to provide low level somatic cues that elicit a conditional
distress/pain response due to prior experiences; and avoidance of visceral cues is likely to
maintain anxiety about them.
The primary aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of a treatment for IBS that
directly targets hypervigilance and hypersensitivity to visceral sensations, modeled on the
methods used for the treatment of panic disorder. The CBT approach for panic disorder was
modified to target IBS by addressing threat-laden appraisals of visceral sensations and
anxiety about IBS sensations through cognitive (e.g., cognitive restructuring) and behavioral
(i.e., interoceptive and in vivo exposure) exercises. It was hypothesized that those receiving
CBT focused on interoceptive cues (IE) would show significantly greater reductions in pain,
pain vigilance, and bowel symptoms, and greater improvement in quality of life compared to
CBT focused on stress management (SM) and an attention control (AC), with SM
outperforming AC.
Methods
Design
Eligible participants completed a baseline screening/pre-treatment assessment and were then
randomized to 10 weekly sessions of AC, SM, or IE. Participants completed a mid-
treatment, post-treatment, and a follow-up assessment three months after the end of
treatment. Mid, post and follow-up assessments were completed by independent, blinded
assessors. Therapists were blind to these assessments.
Participants
Participants were recruited from a digestive disease clinic at a large university in California,
and from community advertisements. To be eligible, participants had to be diagnosed with
IBS based on the Rome II diagnostic criteria. The Rome criteria are a consensus based
symptom criteria system for functional gastrointestinal disorders analogous to the DSM for
psychiatric disorders. IBS is diagnosed based on at least 12 weeks (which need not be
consecutive) of abdominal pain or discomfort in the preceding 12 months with at least two
of the following three features: (1) Relieved with defecation; (2) Onset associated with a
change in frequency of stool; and (3) Onset associated with a change in form (appearance)
of stool (Thompson, 1994). Participants were excluded if they (a) had another significant
chronic pain condition; (b) had a major mental illness such as schizophrenia, biopolar
disorder or substance abuse (anxiety disorders and depression without suicidal ideation were
not exclusions); or (c) were taking narcotic pain medication. Participants who took IBS
symptomatic medications (e.g. anti-diarrheal medications) or antidepressants were asked to
maintain a stable dose throughout the study.
171 participants completed initial screening. Sixty were deemed ineligible and one dropped
out before randomization, leaving 110 participants who were randomized. A random number
generator was used to create separate random lists for males and females and opaque
envelopes with group assignment for each consecutive entering participant were prepared in
advance by personnel not directly involved in the study. Randomization was set a priori to
result in twice as many participants in IE and SM compared to AC, based on the assumption
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4. that the effect sizes between the active interventions would be smaller than either group
compared to the control condition. Although previous studies using active control conditions
have shown mixed results with regard to specific IBS symptoms, the combined literature
with CBT suggests there should be larger differences between the active and control groups
than between two CBT treatments. A pair-wise proportional power analysis with an
assumption of 30% response in the control group and 70% in the active treatment yielded a
minimal enrollment of 20 participants in the control condition and 40 in the active treatment
(p = .05, power =.77). After randomization, 11 participants (10%) declined to participate,
withdrawing before beginning treatment. An additional 23 participants were treatment
dropouts (23% of 99 who began treatment), defined as not completing at least 8 of 10
sessions. Thus, 76 participants were treatment completers. All of the treatment completers
and 10 of the dropout participants completed the post-treatment assessment. Follow-up data
were collected for 61 of the treatment completers. All those participants who were
randomized to treatment (i.e., dropouts and completers, N = 110) were included in the ITT
analyses. Only those defined as completers (i.e., completed at least 8 sessions and a post-
treatment assessment, N = 76) were included in completer analyses.
See Figure 1 for participant flow through the study. The total randomized sample (including
dropouts) was primarily female (74.3%) and had at least a college degree (67.6%). The
mean age was 39.47 (SD = 13.50). The sample was primarily Caucasian (72.3%), with 9%
African-American, 9.7% Asian-American/Pacific Islander, 3.9% Native-American, 1.9%
Hispanic, and 3.1% other race/ethnicity. With regard to bowel habit, 34.1% reported
constipation, 36.0% reported diarrhea, and 29.9% reported mixed constipation/diarrhea
based on proposed ROME II criteria. Of those randomized, 2.7% reported mild bowel
symptom severity, 45% reported moderate bowel symptom severity, 44.1% reported severe
bowel symptom severity, and 8.1% reported very severe bowel symptom severity at
baseline. Also, 8.1% met the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for panic disorder, as assessed by
the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV (ADIS-IV; Brown, diNardo, and
Barlow, 1994). Additionally, 8.1% of randomized participants were prescribed
benzodiazepines and 13.5% were prescribed antidepressant medication (i.e., SSRIs, SNRIs,
or tricyclics).
Measures
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
Bowel Symptom Composite Score: We previously validated the use of 21 point numerical
ratings scales for individual IBS symptoms, including overall symptom severity (Spiegel et
al 2008). Herein, a composite bowel symptom severity index (BSS) was created from
standardized scores from individual symptom ratings of overall gastrointestinal symptoms,
lower abdominal pain, lower abdominal bloating, and lower abdominal discomfort.1 Each
scale was anchored from (0) no symptoms to (20) most intense symptoms imaginable, and
referred to the past two weeks. The average of the four standardized scores comprised the
BSS value. This measure was administered at pre, post, and follow-up assessment.
Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI; Labus et al., 2004): Anxiety related specifically to IBS
symptoms and misappraisal of them was assessed using this 15-item scale. Participants rated
how much they agreed with statements such as “No matter what I eat, I will probably feel
uncomfortable” on a 6-point Likert scale. This scale shows good internal consistency
1Although bloating is not a specific Rome criterion, it is one of the most common and bothersome of the IBS symptoms (Ringel et al.,
2009) that make up “abdominal discomfort,” which is a criteria symptom for IBS.
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5. (Cronbach's α = .93), as well as good convergent, discriminant, content, and predictive
validity (Labus et al., 2004; Labus et al., 2007). This measure was administered at pre-,
mid-, post-, and follow-up assessments.
Secondary Outcome Measures
Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire (PVAQ; McCracken, 1997): This 16-item
measure assessed pain awareness on a 0-5 point scale, tapping into constructs of awareness,
vigilance, preoccupation, and observation of pain. Participants rated a number of statements
from 0 (never) to 5 (always), such as “I keep track of my pain level”. The measure shows
good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .86), test-retest reliability (r = .80), and
convergent and discriminant validity. This measure was administered at the same four
assessment periods.
IBS-Quality of Life (Patrick et al., 1998): The IBS-Qol is a 34-item measure of the degree
to which IBS symptoms affect lives (5-point scale). The measure shows excellent internal
consistency (Cronbach's α = .95), good test-retest reliability (r = .86), and convergent
validity. We examined two of the eight IBS-QOL subscales, Interference (e.g., “I feel I get
less done because of my bowel problems”) and Food Avoidance (e.g., “I have to watch the
kind of food I eat because of my bowel problems”), since these measure aspects of IBS
impact not covered by the primary outcomes.
Treatment Adherence: Independent raters listened to audiotaped recordings of therapy
sessions for all three treatment conditions and rated treatment adherence on all relevant
items for each session. Most ratings were conducted on a 0-6 point scale, with 0 = did not
discuss to 6 = extensive discussion. Ratings were conducted on a random sample of two
sessions per participant. Treatment adherence ratings were conducted on 76 participants (74
completers; or, 97% of completers and 2 dropouts). Session-by-session items were
categorized as: self-monitoring, psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, relaxation,
attentional control, in vivo exposure and interoceptive exposure.
Treatment Credibility Questionnaire (Borkovec & Nau, 1972): A modified version of
Borkovec and Nau's (1972) Reaction to Treatment Questionnaire was completed before the
second treatment session. This 7-item questionnaire asks participants to rate the degree to
which they perceive their treatment as credible. The scale includes items such as “How
confident are you that this treatment will be successful in reducing your bowel symptoms?”
and “How competent does this therapist appear to you?” An average treatment credibility
score was calculated.
Procedure
Initial eligibility was determined through a standard telephone assessment. Interested
individuals who appeared to meet initial eligibility requirements were invited for an initial
screening visit. The goals of the screening visit were to provide the participants with
information about the study, obtain informed consent, and determine eligibility. At
screening, a medical history and physical exam were conducted, including an ADIS
diagnostic interview (to assess for anxiety disorders) and diagnostic assessment for IBS
conducted by a gastroenterologist or nurse practitioner experienced in the diagnosis of
functional bowel disease and the exclusion of organic disease. Eligible participants were
then randomized to one of the three treatment conditions. Participants completed a symptom
diary for two weeks and then prior to the first treatment session completed their pre-
treatment assessment on self-report questionnaires.
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6. Treatment conditions were matched on number and duration of sessions (all sessions were
approximately 50 minutes).
Attention control condition (AC)—The AC protocol was based on the control group
developed for a prior trial examining CBT for IBS (Toner et al., 1998; Drossman et al.,
2003). The components of the AC treatment included: (a) self-monitoring of IBS symptoms
that were reviewed thorhoughly; (b) receiving and reading educational material about IBS;
and (c) discussing the reading material with the therapist.2
CBT-Stress management (SM)—SM consisted of (a) education about IBS symptoms
and their relationship to stress; (b) self-monitoring of IBS symptoms; and (c) skills training
in progressive muscle relaxation (PMR); (d) cognitive therapy to identify threat-laden
appraisals of life events; and (d) in vivo exposure to items from an individualized hierarchy
of external stressful situations (e.g., interpersonal conflict, work deadlines) that were not
directly related to the experience of IBS sensations. The goal of SM was to reduce cognitive
and physical stressful reactions to daily life events, which was presumed to reduce IBS
symptoms as a reaction to stress.
CBT- Interoceptive exposure (IE)—The IE protocol was based on CBT for panic
disorder (Barlow & Craske, 2006). The IE protocol adapted for an IBS population (de Cola,
2001) targeted erroneous beliefs about IBS symptoms, hypervigilance to IBS symptoms,
fear of IBS symptoms, and maladaptive behavioral responses to IBS symptoms. Treatment
consisted of (a) education that IBS symptoms reflect conditional reactions to reminders of
gastro-distress (e.g., food intake or leaving the house); (b) self-monitoring of IBS symptoms;
(c) attentional control skills to learn to shift attention away from rather than perseverate
upon unpleasant visceral sensations (Wells et al., 1997); (d) cognitive therapy to identify and
challenge threat-laden appraisals of visceral sensations (e.g., “I have a serious disease”); (e)
interoceptive exposure involving repeated exposure to visceral sensations (e.g., tightening
stomach to produce gut sensations, wearing tight clothing, delaying entrance to the
bathroom, eating feared/avoided foods) to reduce fear of the sensations; and (f) in vivo
exposure to feared/avoided situations in which IBS sensations were expected (e.g., long road
trips, eating at restaurants, going places in which bathrooms were not accessible) while
weaning safety signals or safety behaviors (e.g., additional underclothing).
In summary, whereas SM focused upon reducing stress reactivity to daily life events, IE
focused on reducing anxious and avoidant responding to visceral sensations.
Statistical Analysis: One-way ANOVAs (for continuous variables) and chi-square tests (for
categorical variables) assessed baseline differences between groups. A one-way ANOVA
assessed differential treatment dropout between groups. Logistic regression was used to
predict attrition. A 4 × 3 mixed-models approach (SAS/STAT, SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC)
evaluated changes across time (pre, mid, post, and follow-up) and by condition (AC, SM,
and IE). Within-group, pre- to follow-up change was assessed by examining slopes across
time-points within each treatment. The mixed models approach analyzes repeated measures
and accounts for missing cases by estimating the best fitting model with the available data.
The comprehensive modeling permitted in SAS mixed models allows for a conservative
number of tests, each of which provides within-group and between-group comparisons
within a single analysis. A priori comparisons (i.e., IE v. SM, IE v. AC, and SM v. AC) were
conducted using the ITT sample, both cross-sectionally (e.g., differences at post-treatment)
and over time (i.e., differences between groups on pre to post slopes, pre to follow-up
2Protocols for all three conditions are available from the corresponding author.
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7. slopes, and post to follow-up slopes). The mixed-models approach estimates data for
missing cases in the ITT sample.
In addition, percent achieving responder status on the BSS and VSI was determined,
yielding two separate indices of response. Responder status was defined as an improvement
of 50% or greater from pre-treatment. While 30% improvement on NRS pain scales has
been suggested as a minimally significant change by an international consensus group for
low back pain (Lauridsen et al., 2006), we chose a more conservative criteria to indicate a
treatment responder, one which has been reported in previous IBS trials (Spiegel et al.,
2009). Responder analyses were conducted for the ITT and Completers samples. For the ITT
analyses, the last observation carried forward approach was used for missing data to
calculate responder status.
Results
Equivalence at baseline
There were no statistically significant differences among the three treatment groups on any
demographic variable (all ps > .10). See Table 1 for descriptive information.
Attrition Analyses
The treatment groups did not differ in terms of dropout/completer status, χ2 (df=1, N=111) =
3.98, p = .14. None of the demographic variables [i.e., sex, age, race (Caucasian v. non-
Caucasian), bowel habit, income, marital status] nor pre-treatment severity variables (BSS,
VSI and PVAQ) significantly predicted attrition (all p-values for the ORs >.10). Further,
there was no difference among groups in number of sessions completed (p = .21).
Treatment adherence
No difference emerged across the three groups in amount of time spent on
psychoeducational material during treatment, F (2, 59) = 0.13, p = .88. There was a main
effect of Group for self-monitoring [F (2, 44) =38.69, p < .001]; post hoc tests revealed that
significantly more self-monitoring was discussed/implemented in IE compared to SM (p < .
001) and AC (p < .001), with no differences between SM and AC (p = .42). A main effect of
Group was found for cognitive restructuring [F (2, 59) = 119.27, p < .001]; post hoc tests
indicated that cognitive restructuring was covered more in IE than AC (p < .001) and more
in SM than AC (p < .001), with no differences between IE and SM (p = .57). A main effect
of Group was found for relaxation [F (2, 43) = 126.63, p < .001]; relaxation was conducted
more in SM than IE (p < .001) and AC (p < .001), with no differences between IE and AC (p
= .85). Group effects were significant for attentional control techniques [F (2, 43) = 51.54, p
< .001], with more attentional control addressed in IE compared to both SM and AC (both
ps < .001) and no differences between SM and AC (p = .90). Group effects were significant
for in vivo exposure [F (2, 56) = 43.00, p < .001]; more exposure was conducted/discussed
in IE vs SM and AC (ps < .001) and SM vs AC (p < .001). Also, a main effect of Group for
interoceptive exposure [F (2, 48) = 143.98, p < .001] was due to higher levels in IE vs SM
and AC (ps < .001) with no differences between SM and AC (p = 1.0).
Treatment credibility
On average, participants rated the treatments to be more than moderately credible (M = 7.28,
SD = 1.26) with no differences across groups (p =.13).
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8. Outcome Measures: Continuous Analyses in Mixed Models
Table 1 reports descriptive information for the outcome measures. Table 2 reports within-
group effect sizes from pre to post, pre to follow-up, and post to follow-up. Table 3 reports
between-group effect sizes for each of the three a priori comparisons at post and follow-up.
Intent-to-Treat Analyses
Bowel Symptom Severity Composite: Between-group differences on change
slopes—A significant effect of Time was observed for all three treatment groups; IE [t
(189) = 6.54, p < .001]; SM [t (195) = 4.29, p < .001]; and AC [t (184) = 3.31, p < .001]. IE
showed a steeper decline in BSS (see Figure 2) from pre- to post-treatment than SM [t (165)
= -2.03, p < .05]. No other group differences in slopes were observed from pre- to post-
treatment, pre- to follow-up, or post to follow-up (all ps > .19).
Bowel Symptom Severity Composite: Cross-sectional between-group
differences—A priori contrasts revealed no significant cross-sectional differences at post-
treatment or follow-up across the three groups.
VSI: Between-group differences on change slopes—A significant effect of Time
was observed for IE [t (310) = 4.65, p < .0001] and SM [t (314) = 3.61, p < .001], whereas
the effect did not attain statistical significance in AC [t (306) = 1.81, p = .07]. In terms of
slopes, IE showed greater post-treatment to follow-up symptom decline compared to AC [t
(244) = -2.19, p < .05] as did SM compared to AC [t (244) = -2.06, p < .05], with no other
significant inter-group differences on any of the slope comparisons (all ps > .22). Figure 3
shows the slopes for all three groups across all assessment periods.
VSI: Cross-sectional between-group differences—A priori contrasts of cross-
sectional differences among groups revealed lower VSI scores at follow-up in IE compared
to AC [t (244) = 2.27, p < .05], with no other significant inter-group differences (all ps > .
19).
PVAQ: Between-group differences in change slopes—There were significant
declines in PVAQ scores across Time for IE [t (325) = 3.89, p < .0001] and SM [t (325) =
2.28, p < .05], with no significant change for AC (p = .14). There were no significant
differences between groups in slopes of symptom decline over time (all ps > .28).
PVAQ: Cross-sectional between-group differences—A priori comparisons revealed
significantly lower scores for IE than AC at post-treatment [t (175) = 2.25, p < .05] and
follow-up assessment [t (200) = 2.39, p < .05]. No other cross-sectional differences were
observed (all ps > .24). In addition, PVAQ was lower in IE than SM at follow-up, but this
difference did not attain statistical significance [t (272) = 1.89, p = .06].
IBS-QOL Interference Subscale: Between-group differences in change slopes
—All groups showed significant improvement over Time on the interference subscale; IE [t
(161) = -3.55, p < .001]; SM [t (167) = -2.66, p < .05]; and AC [t (158) = -3.46, p < .001].
No slope differences were observed between groups (ps > .19).
IBS-QOL Interference Subscale: Cross-sectional between-group differences—
IE showed greater improvement than SM at post-treatment [t (151) = -1.83, p < .07] and at
follow-up [t (173) = -1.82, p = .07], but these findings did not attain statistical significance.
No other cross-sectional differences were significant (ps > .12)
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9. IBS-QOL Food Avoidance Subscale: Between-group differences in change
slopes—IE [t (185) = -4.85, p < .001] and SM [t (195) = -3.18, p < .01] showed significant
improvement over Time on the food avoidance subscale, whereas AC did not (p = .18). Pre
to post [t (182) = -1.77, p < .08] and pre to follow-up [t (158) = -1.76, p < .08] slopes were
somewhat steeper for IE compared to AC, although statistical significance was not attained.
No other differences in slopes emerged between groups (all ps > .27).
IBS-QOL Food Avoidance Subscale: Cross-sectional between-group
differences—IE showed some non-statistically significant improvement over AC at post-
treatment [t (173) = -1.73, p < .09] and follow-up [t (204) = -1.94, p = .05], with no other
between-group differences (all ps > .27).
Treatment Response
BSS-Composite—At follow-up, 62% of IE, 54% of SM, and 59% of AC achieved
responder status, with no differences among groups (p = .74). In the Completers sample,
89% of IE, 82% of SM, and 56% of AC achieved responder status. In planned comparisons
of the Completers sample, IE outperformed AC, χ2 (df =1, N=28) = 4.17, p < .05, with no
other between-group differences (all ps ᚣ .14).
VSI—At follow-up, 30% of IE, 15% of SM, and 5% of AC achieved responder status. IE
outperformed AC, χ2 (df=1, N=69) = 5.61, p < .05, with differences between IE and SM not
attaining statistical significance, χ2 (df=1, N=88) = 2.86, p = .09, and no differences between
AC and SM. Percentages of responder status were higher in the Completers sample, with
44% of IE, 23% of SM, and 0% of AC. Pairwise comparisons revealed that the percentage
of responders in IE was significantly higher than AC (p < .01), with no other between-group
differences.
Discussion
The present study had two general aims. The first was to design and test a new theory-driven
version of CBT that focused on changing fear and avoidance of IBS symptoms using
cognitive restructuring, attentional control, and behavioral exposures to IBS-related
sensations and situations. The second aim was to compare this new treatment procedure
against both a stress management oriented CBT and an active educational control condition.
All three treatment conditions led to significant reductions in IBS symptoms, with the
majority reporting a greater than 50% symptom reduction in both the intent-to-treat and the
completer samples, although responder status was less for the measure of anxiety about IBS
symptoms (i.e., the VSI). Most significantly, there was some evidence for the superiority of
IE treatment. Specifically, the IE group had a significantly greater decline in symptoms from
pre to post compared to SM, and, in the completer sample, showed a significantly greater
number of symptom responders than the AC group. Similarly, on the VSI measure, the IE
group showed a greater response rate and lower follow-up scores than AC, and a marginally
greater response rate than SM. For the secondary measure of pain vigilance, IE also showed
significantly lower scores than AC at both post and follow-up, and marginally lower scores
than SM at follow-up. On the two measures of life interference (activity interference and
food avoidance) there were no significant group differences but several trends, all in the
direction of greater change for IE than either the SM or AC groups. Importantly, only one
variable (VSI slope from post-treatment to follow-up) showed greater responses in the SM
group compared to either the IE or AC.
The superiority of the IE group is not explained by process variables, since attrition rates
(23%) and treatment credibility did not differ across groups. Furthermore, adherence
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10. analysis indicated that the three groups were delivered with integrity and in ways that were
distinctly different from each other as intended. Thus, this well-controlled comparative trial
shows some potential added benefits for version of CBT for IBS that directly targets fear
and avoidance of visceral sensations.
Previous trials of CBT for IBS have utilized a variety of measures to determine symptom
responder status, but most report responder rates above 60% (e.g., Drossman et al., 2003;
Lackner et al., 2010). Responder rates for IE are comparable (62% for IBS symptoms).
However, the size of our between-group effects was likely mitigated by our very stringent
attention control condition. That is, many of the positive trials of psychological therapies for
IBS (e.g., Lackner et al., 2004; Blanchard & Scharff, 2002) utilized treatment-as-usual or
wait list control comparisons, which tend to yield substantially larger between-group effects
than do active control comparisons. One large IBS trial by the Drossman group (2003) that
included an educational control group also found only modest between-group effects,
similar to those observed herein. The improvement observed in our attention control
condition may have derived from positive expectancy, therapist support and provision of a
treatment rationale (i.e., placebo), factors that have been judged to be sufficient for an
effective treatment (Zeiss, 1979). The effectiveness of the attention control condition may
have additionally derived from active ingredients such as education and structured review of
symptoms, especially since other research has shown the effectiveness of psychoeducation
group treatments relative to usual care in IBS (Ringstrom et al., 2010; Colwell et al. 1998;
Saito et al., 2004).
To the extent that IE exerted specific effects on IBS symptoms, anxiety about IBS
symptoms, and vigilance, the feasibility and potential utility of incorporating exposure
elements into IBS treatment is validated. The IE treatment was based on a fear of visceral
sensations conceptualization of IBS symptoms, and use of graduated exposures to decrease
fear and avoidance and to correct misappraisals of both interoceptive and exteroceptive cues
associated with IBS symptoms. The interoceptive and in vivo exposures were well-tolerated
and patients were able to rapidly generate hierarchies and understand the concepts of
exposure and non-avoidance of anxiety. Similar fear and avoidance treatments have recently
been proposed and in part supported for other pain-related problems, including low back
pain (Vlaeyen & Linton, 2000). A unique feature of the fear and avoidance model is that it
narrows the focus of treatment to cues associated with the target symptoms, unlike more
general stress management which attempts to alter coping responses to a broad range of life
stressors.
In the current study, IE not only outperformed AC, and to a lesser extent SM, but in no case
was SM intervention superior to IE, and in all but one comparison, the SM group was not
significantly different than the AC. Thus, the overall results suggest that IE was more
effective than SM, which mostly was no different than an attention control. The current
study was the first in this field to directly test a general stress management approach against
a fear of visceral sensations approach for IBS.
There were several limitations to the study, including sample size, especially when
considering the drop-out rate of 23%. The substantial pair-wise IE vs. AC effect sizes (ds of
0.71 and 0.84 for BSS and VSI, respectively, at 6 months) suggest that a larger sample,
especially for the control participants, may have resulted in a more consistent pattern of
statistical IE superiority. The current study was cognizant of the ROME foundation working
groups’ reports on IBS trial design (Levine et al, 2006, and Spiegel, et al., 2008) and
included recommended design features of an active control condition, use of a broad sample
of patients all fitting the ROME IBS criteria, examination of intent-to-treat and per-protocol
analysis, use of both a pre-specified responder criteria and assessment of absolute change,
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11. and an extended follow-up period. These aspects of a rigorous and conservative study design
clearly impact the outcome and interpretation of the results in that they heighten
generalizability and confidence in the conclusions that outcome differences resulted from
differences in intervention content. However, the use of an active control and a 50%
responder criterion does lead to smaller effect sizes than studies with treatment as usual or
wait-list designs. Since there are no objective markers for IBS or universally agreed upon
symptom scales, the choice of self-report measures also may have significantly impacted on
the outcomes. Future studies may consider independent clinician ratings and/or behavioral
measures of adaptive functioning and fear and avoidance of IBS symptoms and activities.
In sum, a treatment approach that focused on fear and avoidance of visceral sensations
associated with IBS was found to be superior to an active attention control condition on
several measures, including a measure of symptom severity as well as anxiety about
symptoms and overall body vigilance. Furthermore, the IE approach outperformed a
standard stress management approach to treatment, which in turn showed very minimal
benefits over the active control condition. Thus, these results highlight the positive effects of
a focused and theoretically cohesive cognitive behavioral approach to IBS, something that
has been advocated for cognitive behavioral approaches to pain management in general
(Eccleston et al., 2009).
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to acknowledge Drs. Joseph DeCola, Jayson Mystkowski, and Janice Jones for their role as
therapist on this study, as well as Dr. Brenda Toner for her help with the Attention Control Protocol and Suzanne
Smith NP RN for participant screening.
Supported in part by NIH Grants NR007768 (BDN), P50 DK64539 (EAM) and VA Medical Research (BDN).
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15. 1.
Flow of Participants through the study
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16. 2.
BSI Decline Slopes and VSI Decline Slopes for all Three Treatment Groups Across all
Assessment Periods (Baseline through Follow-up)
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Table 1
Means and SDs of Outcome Measures at all Assessment Periods (Completers)
Measure IE SM AC
Pre Mid Post FU Pre Mid Post FU Pre Mid Post FU
VSI 40.63 (18.56) 35.15 (16.11) 29.37 (18.51) 23.96a (16.60) 43.61 (17.27) 39.57 (17.15) 34.66 (17.28) 30.13 (16.26) 45.18 (12.29) 36.32 (17.19) 35.95 (16.55) 39.69 (13.74)
PVAQ 45.87 (16.24) 43.68c (14.24) 37.42a (17.12) 33.52ab (13.48) 49.12 (12.90) 47.76 (13.00) 41.06 (14.28) 41.35 (17.11) 51.32 (9.10) 53.25 (12.85) 44.23 (10.40) 46.98 (12.61)
BSS .40 (.64) - -.54 (.74) -.78 (.60) .25 (.65) - -.25 (.83) -.53 (.74) .52 (.47) - -.25d (.98) -.25d(.97)
IBS-QOL Food Avoidance 47.96 (27.87) - 65.74 (28.44) 73.00 (24.33) 47.50 (33.24) - 57.76 (30.40) 64.49 (33.26) 46.21 (24.22) - 50.42 (29.80) 57.74 (22.75)
IBS-QOL Interference 69.91 (22.45) - 79.07 (20.81) 80.71 (20.77) 60.89 (27.81) - 74.26 (25.15) 75.00 (25.02) 57.31 (22.55) - 68.39 (23.21) 66.33 (24.77)
Note: BSS scores represent standardized (i.e., between -1 and 1) scores because the composite BSS severity index required individual items to be standardized due to different measurement scales (see Measures).
Note: Higher scores on IBS-QOL measures indicate greater improvement in quality of life
a
outperformed AC, p < .05
b
=outperformed SM, p = .06
c
= outperformed AC, p = .07
d
= outperformed AC, p ᚢ .08
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Table 2
Within-group Effect Sizes (Cohen's d) for each treatment group
IE SM AC
Pre-Po Pre-FU Po-FU Pre-Po Pre-FU Po-FU Pre-Po Pre-FU Po-FU
BSS 1.32 1.71 0.37 0.68 1.17 0.50 1.04 1.23 0.25
VSI 0.58 0.94 0.40 0.45 0.78 0.37 0.65 0.52 -0.15
PVAQ 0.46 0.86 0.46 0.40 0.55 0.19 0.23 0.47 0.27
IBS-FA 0.60 0.91 0.31 0.36 0.64 0.30 0.15 0.34 0.19
IBS-IA 0.73 0.78 0.09 0.34 0.41 0.07 0.54 0.67 0.11
Cohen's d interpretation: 0.3=small, 0.5=medium, 0-8=large effect size. BSS=Bowel Symptom Questionnaire; VSI=Visceral Sensitivity Index; PVAQ=Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire; IBS-
FA= IBS Quality of Life-Food Avoidance subscale; IBS-IA = IBS Quality of Life- Interference with Acitivity subscale; IE=interoceptive exposure; SM=stress management; AC=attentional control;
Co=Completers sample; Note: effect sizes are for Intent-to-treat sample
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Table 3
Between-group effect sizes (Cohen's d) at post-treatment and follow-up on outcome measures.
Post Follow-up
IE v AC IE v SM SM v AC IE v AC IE v SM SM v AC
BSQ 0.43 0.44 0.00 0.70 033 0.30
VSI 0.24 0.32 -0.08 0.76 0.42 0.35
PVAQ 0.64 0.29 0.35 0.82 0.56 0.25
IBS-FA 0.50 0.25 0.25 0.67 0.28 0.38
IBS-IA 0.42 0.46 003 0.45 0.54 -0.09
Cohen's d interpretation: 0.3=small, 0.5=medium, 0-8=large effect size. BSQ=Bowel Symptom Questionnaire; VSI=Visceral Sensitivity Index; PVAQ=Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire; IBS-
FA= IBS Quality of Life-Food Avoidance subscale; IBS-IA = IBS Quality of Life- Interference with Acitivity subscale; IE=interoceptive exposure; SM=stress management; AC=attentional control;
Co=Completers sample; Note: effect sizes are for Intent-to-treat sample
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