Imagery Enhanced Cognitive Bias Modification for Chronic Worry
Stopped: No in-person testing is permitted at Ryerson University due to COVID-19.
Canada100 participantsStarted 2019-08-20
Plain-language summary
People who experience high levels of worry often have mental habits that fuel their worry. One mental habit of interest to researchers is the tendency to assess situations and experiences in a very negative way even when it is possible the situation may turn out to be neutral or even positive. Cognitive bias modification of interpretations (CBM-I) is a training that is designed to target the tendency to catastrophize and jump to negative conclusions when faced with ambiguous information. CBM-I has been shown to improve this habit as well as anxiety and low mood. In this experiment, the investigators are looking to enhance CBM-I for pathological worry. Specifically, the investigators are testing the immediate and short-term effects of using imagery when completing CBM-I.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Score of 62 or higher on the Penn State Worry Questionnaire.
. Endorsement of symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (e.g., excessive and uncontrollable worry) as per the DSM-5 description (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Exclusion criteria
. Clinically significant suicidal ideation, intent, or plan
. Past or current history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or substance or alcohol use disorder over the past 12 months
. Current psychological treatment or counseling unless this treatment is infrequent (once per month or less) or the participant has been receiving consistent weekly treatment for at least 12 weeks and still meets all other eligibility criteria
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in self-reported past-week worry as measured by the Penn State Worry Questionnaire-Past Week Version
Timeframe: Administered on day 1 prior to completing the intervention (pre-intervention), following the intervention week (post-intervention), and at 1-week and 2-week follow-ups.
2
Change in self-reported interpretation bias as measured by Ambiguous/ Unambiguous Situations Diary Extended
Timeframe: Administered on day 1 prior to completing the intervention (pre-intervention), following the intervention week (post-intervention), and at a 2-week follow-up.
. Psychotropic medication with a change in dose in the past 12 weeks. If they have recently discontinued a psychotropic medication, they will be included if it has been at least 1 month since discontinuation, or 3 months if they had been taking fluoxetine. Use of benzodiazepines in the past 12 weeks will also exclude participants.
. Participants will be excluded if they report noncorrected hearing impairments as the training involves listening to audio recordings.
. Participants will be excluded if they do not have daily access to a computer with internet as this is required to complete the at home training.