The overall goal of this project is to develop a novel transdiagnostic behavioral treatment -- Amplification of Positivity (AMP) -- intended to enhance positive social connections in individuals with elevated anxiety and/or depression. Social relationship impairments are common and debilitating consequences of anxiety and depression. Existing treatments have some beneficial impact on social functioning; however, many people continue to have few and/or poor quality relationships following treatment, even after experiencing symptom relief. This study will evaluate the effects of AMP on the brain systems that have been shown to be important for establishing positive connections with others. Approximately 100 individuals (ages 18-55) seeking treatment for anxiety or depression will participate in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned with equal probability to either AMP or stress management training (SMT) (6 sessions each). Participants will be assessed at baseline and post-treatment and compared on measures assessing brain responses to social reward (primary outcome), as well as physiological, behavioral, and emotional responses to social reward (secondary outcomes). It is hypothesized that the AMP group will experience greater increases from pre- to post-treatment in activity in brain systems that regulate the processing of social reward cues (e.g., striatum) relative to participants in the SMT group. It is also hypothesized that changes in brain activation to social reward from pre- to post-treatment will be correlated with the degree of improvement in social connectedness.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
134
6 one-hour, clinician-administered treatment sessions focused on presenting rationale and instructions for completing positive activity exercises (e.g., gratitude, acts of kindness) designed to increase positive emotions, cognitions, and behaviors.
6 one-hour, clinician-administered treatment sessions focused on presenting rationale and instructions for activity exercises designed to decrease stress.
Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute
La Jolla, California, United States
Change from baseline in neural activation during social reward processing
Change from pre- to post-assessment in neural activation in the striatum measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during reward anticipation trials of the social incentive delay (SID) task. This is the primary target engagement outcome.
Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks
Change from baseline in social functioning as measured by the NIH Toolbox Companionship (Friendship and Loneliness) Surveys
Composite score of the NIH Toolbox Friendship and Loneliness surveys. Items are answered on a 5 point scale, 1 (Never) to 5 (Always). The NIH Toolbox Friendship survey ranges from 8-40 and higher scores indicate greater perceived availability of friends or companions with whom to interact or affiliate. The NIH Toolbox Loneliness survey ranges from 5-25 and higher scores indicate greater social isolation and feelings of loneliness. The composite score will be the average of the standardized scores on the Friendship and Loneliness surveys. The composite index is the primary clinical outcome.
Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks
Change from baseline in positive affect in response to a social interaction task
The state version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) will be used to measure current ("right now") positive affect in anticipation of and following the social affiliation task. Items are answered on a 5 point scale, 1 (Very slightly or not at all) to 5 (Extremely). The positive affect scale ranges from 10-50; higher scores indicate greater levels of positive affect.
Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks
Change from baseline in positive facial expressions in response to a social interaction task
Production of positive facial expressions will be coded offline using the Computer Expression Recognition Toolbox (CERT), software that objectively codes action units (AUs) according to the Facial Action Coding System (FACS). AU12 (zygomatic major) reflects positive emotional expressions. Intensity of positive expressions will be measured by the average of AU12 values greater than zero, which identifies when an action unit is more likely to be present than absent.
Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks
Change from baseline in social approach behavior in response to a social interaction task
Observers will rate participant behavior on self-disclosure (the degree of personal information, thoughts, and feelings revealed) and responsiveness (verbal and nonverbal displays reflecting understanding, engagement, and validation). Items are answered on a 7 point scale, 1 (not at all) to 7(very much) with higher scores indicating greater levels of social approach behavior.
Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks
Change from baseline in future approach motivation in response to a social interaction task
The Desire for Future Interaction Scale (DFI) measures the degree to which respondents would be willing to affiliate with their conversation partner again. Items are answered on a 7 point scale, 1 (not at all) to 7 (very much) with higher scores indicating higher levels of future approach motivation.
Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks
Change from baseline in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) in response to a social interaction task
RSA will be obtained during a resting baseline and throughout the social interaction task using the MP150 data acquisition and analysis systems. RSA is an index of parasympathetic activation and will be computed from the R-wave to R-wave interbeat interval series in the frequency range of spontaneous breathing. Higher levels of RSA indicate higher levels of parasympathetic activation. RSA reactivity will be computed by subtracting RSA during baseline from RSA during the social interaction.
Time frame: Baseline, 10 weeks
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