Positive Imagery-Based Cognitive Bias Modification as a Web-Based Treatment Tool for Depressed Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blackwell, Simon E.; Browning, Michael; Mathews, Andrew; Pictet, Arnaud; Welch, James; Davies, Jim; Watson, Peter; Geddes, John R.; Holmes, Emily A.
• Is Part Of: Clinical psychological science. Volume 3:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 111
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: depression -- cognitive-bias modification -- Internet health -- mental imagery -- cognitive therapy -- anhedonia; Clinical psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1177/2167702614560746
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2167-7026

Abstract

Depression is a global health problem requiring treatment innovation. Targeting neglected cognitive aspects may provide a useful route. We tested a cognitive-training paradigm using positive mental imagery (imagery cognitive bias modification, imagery CBM), developed via experimental psychopathology studies, in a randomized controlled trial. Training was delivered via the Internet to 150 individuals with current major depression. Unexpectedly, there was no significant advantage for imagery CBM compared with a closely matched control for depression symptoms as a whole in the full sample. In exploratory analyses, compared with the control, imagery CBM significantly improved anhedonia over the intervention and improved depression symptoms as a whole for those participants with fewer than five episodes of depression and those who engaged to a threshold level of imagery. Results suggest avenues for improving imagery CBM to inform low-intensity treatment tools for depression. Anhedonia may be a useful treatment target for future work.