Guided Imagery Training and Self-Referential Processing

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Depression; Negative Thoughts
• Interventions: Behavioral: Positive Self-Reference Training; Behavioral: Neutral Training Control

• Registration Number: NCT03056963
• Lead Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of a guided imagery paradigm for reducing negative ways of thinking about the self. There will be at least 60 participants enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin. Participants will be randomly selected to receive one of two types of trainings, each over the course of two weeks. Participants will undergo the training exercises at home. The training exercises will help them to think differently about themselves.

Participants will be able to determine if they are eligible, and then participate, by filling out a screening questionnaire online.

Detailed Description

This study uses a randomized controlled trial to compare two types of guided imagery. One intervention is an active intervention; the other is intended to be inert. These interventions were developed based on extensive research indicating the efficacy of using imagery in depression, and a perceived lack of treatments targeting biased self-referential processing.

This protocol aims to develop a novel intervention which can be used on its own or as an adjunct to existing treatments. Common treatments for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are diffuse; this paradigm instead aims to specifically target negative self-schema, a part of the cognitive model of MDD. This study focuses on participants with elevated depressive symptoms.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2017-02-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-02-14
• Study First Posted: 2017-02-17
• Study Start: 2017-03-17
• Primary Completion: 2017-06-19
• Study Completion: 2017-06-19
• Status Verified: 2017-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-07-17
• Last Update Posted: 2017-07-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 86

Inclusion Criteria

• willing and able to provide informed consent
• elevated depressive symptoms -- i.e., a score above a 13 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD)

Exclusion Criteria

• N/A

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Positive Self-Reference Training	Positive Self-Reference Training	Participants in this arm will complete the Positive Self-Reference Training (PSRT).
Neutral Training Control	Neutral Training Control	Participants in this arm will complete the neutral training paradigm.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in response on the Self-Referent Encoding Task (SRET)	Participants will complete the SRET at baseline, after one week, and after two weeks. Change will be assessed primarily as SRET at two weeks MINUS SRET at baseline.	The SRET is a task that asks participants to categorize words as self-referential or not. Its outcomes are focused on behavioral response and reaction time. We have shown that it has good test-retest reliability over the course of one week.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Depressive Symptomatology	Participants will complete measures of depressive symptoms at baseline, after one week, and after two weeks.	Measures of depressive symptoms will be measured with the CESD, a self-report questionnaire used in the literature to measure levels of depression. This questionnaire has good test-retest reliability, and reliably changes with symptoms.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Texas at Austin; 🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States