Research paperIs computerized psychoeducation sufficient to reduce anxiety sensitivity in an at-risk sample?: A randomized trial

- Investigated effects of computerized psychoeducation on anxiety sensitivity (AS).
- Psychoeducation led to reductions in self-reported AS and its subfactors.
- Psychoeducation led to less fear reactivity to induced dissociative symptoms.
- Differences in fear reactivity were specific to changes in AS cognitive concerns.
- Findings suggest psychoeducation is sufficient for the reduction of elevated AS.

BackgroundAnxiety sensitivity (AS), or a fear of anxiety-related sensations, has become one of the most well researched risk factors for the development of psychopathology and comprises three subfactors: physical, cognitive, and social concerns. Fortunately, research has demonstrated brief protocols can successfully reduce AS, and in turn improve psychopathological symptoms. Computerized AS reduction protocols have combined psychoeducation with interoceptive exposure (IE), but they have not been dismantled to evaluate the effects of psychoeducation alone.Method: The current study sought to determine the efficacy of a brief single-session psychoeducation intervention for AS, compared to a control intervention, in a sample of at-risk individuals (N=54) with elevated AS cognitive concerns.ResultsIndividuals in the active condition displayed greater reductions in self-reported AS (β=.198, 95% CI [.065, .331]) and less fear reactivity (β=.278, 95% CI [.069, .487]) to the induction of AS cognitive-relevant sensations through a behavioral challenge compared to those in the control condition. Further, fear reactivity to the challenge was mediated by reductions in self-reported AS cognitive concerns.LimitationsStudy limitations include use of an at-risk nonclinical student sample, lack of a long-term follow-up assessment, and inability to discern whether AS reductions due to CAST psychoeducation prevent future, or improve current, psychological symptoms.ConclusionsThese results suggest that psychoeducation alone can produce significant AS reduction.