This study explores the brain basis of imaginal exposure, a widely used psychological treatment technique. Specifically, this study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain areas activated during imaginal exposure, in individuals fearful of spiders. Physiological responses and subjective fear experienced during imaginal exposure are also assessed. The primary aim of this study is to explore differences in neural activity during exposure to phobic, compared to neutral, mental imagery. The study will focus primarily on exploratory whole brain analyses, but will also include regions of interest analyses on brain areas previously associated with imaginal exposure. The experimental procedure consists of repeated exposure to mental imagery, i.e. imagery of short durations, including either highly emotion-provoking or neutral content, prompted by verbal instructions. A secondary aim is to explore the effects of repeated exposure to mental imagery, used during the experimental procedure, on subjective fear and physiological responses.
Results will elucidate if neural activity to phobic imagery differs from activity associated with the production of mental imagery per se. Findings will also increase our general understanding of the neural basis of imaginal exposure treatments.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Imaginal exposure to mental imagery of phobic and neutral stimuli
Uppsala University Hospital - Akademiska sjukhuset
Uppsala, Sweden
Uppsala University, Departement of Psychology
Uppsala, Sweden
Blood oxygen level dependent contrast (BOLD-signal)
BOLD-signal is assessed using functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Time frame: Day 1
Physiological response during exposure to mental imagery
Skin-conductance responses are used as a measure of physiological response.
Time frame: Day 1
Physiological response during exposure to mental imagery
Skin-conductance responses are used as a measure of physiological response.
Time frame: Follow-up (one week after day 1)
Differences in physiological response during exposure to mental imagery, during day 1 compared to the follow-up session.
Skin-conductance responses are used as a measure of physiological response.
Time frame: Difference between day 1 and the follow-up session (one week after day 1)
Ratings of subjective fear participants' expect to experience during exposure to mental imagery
Scale: 0-100; no fear at all - extreme fear.
Time frame: Day 1
Ratings of subjective fear experienced during exposure to mental imagery
Scale: 0-100; no fear at all - extreme fear. Fear ratings are completed immediately after the imaginal exposure experimental procedure
Time frame: Day 1
Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S)
STAI-S is a self-rated questionnaire included to assess state-anxiety experienced during exposure. High scores indicate high levels of state anxiety (range, total score: 20 - 80).
Time frame: Day 1
Differences in ratings of subjective fear during exposure to mental imagery, during day 1 compared to the follow-up session.
Scale: 0-100; no fear at all - extreme fear.
Time frame: Difference between day 1 and the follow-up session (one week after day 1)
Vividness of mental imagery
Vividness of mental imagery of phobic stimuli (scale: 1-5; no image at all - image as clear and vivid as real life).
Time frame: Day 1
Vividness of mental imagery
Vividness of imagery of phobic stimuli (scale: 1-5; no image at all - image as clear and vivid as real life).
Time frame: Follow-up (one week after day 1)
Differences in vividness of mental imagery, during day 1 compared to the follow-up session.
Vividness of imagery of phobic stimuli (scale: 1-5; no image at all - image as clear and vivid as real life).
Time frame: Difference between day 1 and the follow-up session (one week after day 1)
Difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS)
DERS is a self-rated questionnaire, included to explore potential relations between imaginal exposure and difficulties in emotion regulation. High scores indicate more difficulties in emotion regulation (range, total score: 36 - 180)
Time frame: Day 1
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.