RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06429956

Combining Treatment Components in Transdiagnostic Therapy for Anxiety and Depression

Combining Treatment Components in Transdiagnostic Therapy for Anxiety and Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sponsor

University of Aarhus

Enrollment

93 participants

Start Date

Jun 28, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depression Anxiety

Summary

The present study is a randomized controlled trial that will evaluate the effect of combining two treatment components (i.e., cognitive restructuring and detached mindfulness) drawn from cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) that are often combined in clinical practice. However, knowledge about the effect of combining these treatment components is lacking. Therefore, this study aims to explore single, combined, and sequencing effects of these two treatment components in patients with depression and/or anxiety disorders. Furthermore, the study aims to explore possible demographic and clinical moderators of the effects to address the question of what works for whom.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria6

Age ≥ 18 years.
A diagnosis of an anxiety disorder (generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia) and/or mild to moderate major depressive disorder (MDD) according to DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
Danish language proficiency.
Ability and willingness to give informed consent.
No or stable antidepressant/antianxiety medication (i.e., same dosage for ≥ 8 weeks).
Access to either a smartphone, tablet, or computer with video camera.

Exclusion Criteria10

Severe depression deemed to require more intense psychotherapy or medication.
Persistent depressive disorder (i.e., depressive symptoms have persisted for 2 years or more).
Non-stabilized medication (see above).
Currently receiving other psychotherapy or counseling.
Not capable of participating online.
Lack of Danish proficiency.
A history of bipolar disorder.
Current or past psychosis.
Substance abuse or dependence judged to require treatment.
Suicide risk requiring immediate hospitalization.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALMindful emotion awareness

The mindful emotion awareness module will follow the manual by Barlow et al. (2018). In session 1, the participant will receive psychoeducation about the purpose of mindful emotion awareness (i.e., to cultivate present-focused, non-judgmental attention to one's emotional experiences) and will complete an in-session guided meditation exercise which they will be asked to practice daily using an audio file. In session 2 and 3, two additional exercises are introduced. With "mindful mood induction", the participant is instructed to induce emotions and then practice mindful emotion awareness in this context. With "anchoring in the present", the participant is taught four steps to help them use mindful emotion awareness to pull themself back to the present whenever they feel an emotional response start to build in their everyday life. For homework, the participant will practice mindful emotion using these exercises and the audio file.

BEHAVIORALCognitive flexibility

The cognitive flexibility module will follow the manual by Barlow et al. (2018) which is based on the principles by Beck (1976). In session 1, the participant will be psychoeducated about the purpose of cognitive flexibility (i.e., to encourage flexible thinking through reappraisal of one's automatic thinking), and how their thoughts influence their emotional reactions. For homework, the participant will be asked to monitor their automatic thoughts. In session 2, the participant will be introduced to the technique of cognitive flexibility (i.e., generating other possible interpretations), and this technique will be practiced throughout session 2 and 3. For homework, the participant will continue to monitor their automatic thoughts and generate and record other possible interpretations.