Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Imagery rescripting (ImRs) is a promising therapeutic technique used in treatment for a variety of psychiatric disorders. During an ImRs session, an aversive disorder-related memory, is activated in imagination and rescripted to a more positive outcome. It has been shown to successfully weaken the negative cognitive meaning, so-called encapsulated beliefs of the targeted aversive memory. In many studies, ImRs is preceded by a cognitive restructuring (CR) technique focused on the encapsulated belief of the target memory. It is not clear whether adding such a CR technique is necessary or that ImRs as standalone technique can achieve comparable effects.
METHODS: Students with mild psychological distress (N = 53) were randomized over one session of cognitive restructuring plus imagery rescripting (CR + ImRs), a therapist attention placebo plus imagery rescripting (PLA + ImRs) and a double therapist attention placebo (PLA + PLA). Believability of the idiosyncratic encapsulated belief (primary outcome) and quality (vividness, distress and emotional connotation: secondary outcome) of the target memory were assessed at pre, post and at 1-week follow-up.
RESULTS: Results indicate that both, CR + ImRs and PLA + ImRs, reduced the believability of the encapsulated beliefs in greater extent than PLA + PLA. No differences appeared between the two ImRs conditions. For the secondary outcomes no differences between the three conditions were found.
LIMITATIONS: This study should be seen as a pilot study, moreover a non-clinical sample was used.
CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that a CR technique preceding ImRs is redundant. However, this study needs replication in a larger sample.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 101800 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry |
Volume | 78 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2023 |
Keywords
- Humans
- Affect
- Cognitive Restructuring
- Imagery, Psychotherapy/methods
- Memory Disorders
- Pilot Projects
- Polyesters