Imagery Rescripting and Imaginal Exposure for Anxiety Symptoms

Imagery Rescripting and Imaginal Exposure for Anxiety Symptoms: Mechanisms and Outcomes in a Large Analog Sample

This study will recruit 460 participants who self-report high symptoms of anxiety. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 4 groups: one analog intervention of Imagery Rescripting (IR) for memories, an analog intervention of IR for future events, and analog intervention of Imaginal Exposure (IE) for memories and an analog intervention of IE for future events. We will examine the efficacy and mechanisms behind each intervention.

After being informed about the study potential risks, all patients giving written informed consent will undergo screening to determine eligibility for study entry. They will be randomly assigned to one of four conditions (Imagery rescripting past; Imagery rescripting future; Imaginal exposure past; Imaginal exposure future) at a 1:1:1:1 ratio (n = 115 per group). Participant will be assigned using a variance minimization method that controls for between group variance in continuous and categorical variables- SPIN, ASI-3, OCI-R, GAD-7 and gender with a completely random assignment p random = .2 (for algorithm see Sella et al., 2018). Participants will attend three ~1.5 hour online ZOOM sessions (baseline-assessment and measurement, intervention, post assessment and measurement and follow-up measurement).

In this multiple baseline study, participant will enter the intervention phase either 7 or 14 days after the baseline stage.

Assessors will be blind to the treatment condition.

Inclusion Criteria:

We will recruit participants based on attainment of SPIN score >= 24 and/or ASI-3 scores >=23 and/or OCI-R subscale scores (not including hoarding subscale) >=6 and/or GAD-7 scores >= 9 .

Exclusion Criteria:

Diagnosis of psychosis, active suicidality, post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder. Can't report a negative imagery related to a future social scenario. Attending active psychotherapy sessions. Started/stopped taking psychotherapeutic medications in the last 3 months.