The primary purpose of this study is to explore whether the efficiency of treatment for anxiety and depressive disorders can be increased using two discrete strategies: personalized skill ordering and 2) treatment discontinuation based on proximal indicators of improvements. The present study will specifically use treatment components drawn from an evidence-based psychological intervention, the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP). This intervention has strong empirical support for patients presenting with anxiety, depressive, and related disorders and contains therapeutic skills that are common in psychological interventions (e.g., psychoeducation, mindfulness training, cognitive restructuring, countering emotional avoidance, increasing interoceptive tolerance). This study will determine if prioritizing the order of treatment modules to capitalize on patient strengths or compensate for weakensses increases treatmen efficacy. Additionally, it will also identify under what conditions briefer treatment modules may be appropriate.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
72
Participants will receive treatment modules sequenced in accordance with the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP; Barlow et al 2011; 2018).
Participants will receive Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) treatment modules organized to prioritize skills that capitalize on patient strengths.
Participants will receive Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) treatment modules organized to prioritize skills that compensate for patient weaknesses.
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Change in Clinical Severity
Clinical severity will be measured using the Diagnostic Interview for Anxiety, Mood, and Obsessive Compulsive and Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders (DIAMOND) dimensional clinician ratings. Scores range from 1-7; higher scores indicate greater severity.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 6 and week 12)
Change in Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety symptoms will be measured using the Overall Anxiety Severity and Interference Scale (OASIS). This is a self-report measure in which scores range from 0-20; higher scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 1, week, 2, week, 3.....week 12)
Change in Depressive Symptoms
Depressive symptoms will be measured using the Overall Depression Severity and Interference Scale (ODSIS). This is a self-report measure in which scores range from 0-20; higher scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 1, week, 2, week, 3.....week 12)
Change in Aversive Reactions to Emotions
Aversive reactions to emotions will be measured using the distress aversion subscale of the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ). This is a self-report measure in which scores range from 13-78; higher scores indicate greater negative reactions to emotional experiences.
Time frame: 12 weeks (baseline, week 1, week, 2, week, 3.....week 12)
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