* Statement of the Research Study. Participants are being invited to volunteer to take part in our research study. It is up to participants whether to choose to take part or not. There will be no penalty or loss of benefits to choosing not to take part or decide later not to take part. * Purpose. The reason that the researchers are doing this research is to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of administering a computerized anxiety intervention in a setting of five or more individuals. This intervention has already been tested and shown promise with individuals, and researchers want to see if it will function in a group setting as well. * Duration. Researchers think that taking part in our study will last approximately two hours, with an additional follow-up survey one month later to be completed at home via computer or smartphone. * Research Activities. Participants will first be asked to complete several questionnaires dealing with your thoughts and feelings. Once these questionnaires are completed, participants will be assigned to one of two groups, with each group viewing one of two computerized presentations and completing some group exercises afterward. Once participants have completed the designated intervention, participants will then be asked to fill out surveys once again, which will complete the study appointment. One month following the appointment, participants will be sent surveys once again and will be asked to complete them at home. Risks: The risks or discomforts to participants while taking part in this research include temporary distress or anxiety pr potentially feeling mild discomfort answering questions about your thoughts and feelings. Benefits: As a result of taking part in this research, participants may experience improvements in mental health.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
73
CAST is a transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based protocol designed to address elevated AS, particularly the amplification of cognitive stress symptoms including perceived confusion and memory problems. CAST is a fully computerized, 1-hour intervention. CAST contains video animation and audio narration throughout, as well as interactive features (e.g., brief quizzes to promote comprehension). Procedures draw heavily on standard CBT techniques; AS, a core vulnerability for anxiety and depression is targeted using these procedures. In this study, participants complete CAST as a group alongside other participants.
The HET protocol covers standard healthy lifestyle behaviors as well as broad coping strategies to address stress. HET is a fully computerized 1-hour control condition focused on increasing healthy behaviors and decreasing unhealthy behaviors. Content includes healthy eating, hydration, sleep and rest, stress management as well as other healthy lifestyle tips. HET was administered in a group format for this study.
Florida State University Psychology Clinic
Tallahassee, Florida, United States
Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3
18 item self-report measure indexing anxiety sensitivity (Taylor et al., 2007). Scores range from 0-72 with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety sensitivity
Time frame: Baseline through Month 1 follow up
PROMIS Anxiety Scale 8a
8-item self-report measure indexing overall anxiety (Pilkonis et al., 2011). Scores range from 8 to 40 with higher scores reflecting worse anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline through Month 1 Follow Up
PROMIS Depression Scale 8b
8 item self-report measure indexing depressive symptoms (Polkonis et al., 2014). Scores range from 8-40 with higher scores reflecting worse depression symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline through Month 1 Follow Up
Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire
7-item self-report measure used in prior studies (Short et al., 2017). Scores range from 0-21 with higher scores indicating more favorable acceptability ratings.
Time frame: Baseline through Month 1 follow up
Treatment Engagement Questionnaire
Participants were given two items assessing how frequently they: 1) thought about CAST content in the past month; 2) engaged in interoceptive exposure practice.
Time frame: Month 1 Follow Up
Intolerance of Uncertainty-12
12 item self-report measure indexing intolerance of uncertainty (Carleton et al., 2007). Scores range from 12-60 with higher scores reflecting worse intolerance of uncertainty.
Time frame: Baseline through Month 1 follow up
Client Satisfaction Questionnaire
A modified version of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) will be administered to assess treatment acceptability. Scores range from 8-32 with higher scores reflecting more favorable acceptability ratings.
Time frame: Baseline through Month 1 Follow Up
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale
16 item self-report measure indexing emotional dysregulation (DERS-16, Bjureberg et al., 2016). Scores range from 16 to 80 with higher scores reflecting worse emotion regulation difficulties.
Time frame: Baseline through Month 1 follow up
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