A test of pre-exposure spacing and multiple context pre-exposure on the mechanisms of latent inhibition of dental fear: A study protocol
Abstract Background Latent inhibition occurs when exposure to a stimulus prior its direct associative conditioning impairs learning. Results from naturalistic studies suggest that latent inhibition disrupts the learning of dental fear from aversive associative conditioning and thereby reduces the de...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01580-5 |
| _version_ | 1797272762610352128 |
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| author | Andrew L. Geers Laura D. Seligman Keenan A. Pituch Ben Colagiuri Hilary A. Marusak Christine A. Rabinak Sena L. Al-Ado Natalie Turner Michael Nedley |
| author_facet | Andrew L. Geers Laura D. Seligman Keenan A. Pituch Ben Colagiuri Hilary A. Marusak Christine A. Rabinak Sena L. Al-Ado Natalie Turner Michael Nedley |
| author_sort | Andrew L. Geers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Latent inhibition occurs when exposure to a stimulus prior its direct associative conditioning impairs learning. Results from naturalistic studies suggest that latent inhibition disrupts the learning of dental fear from aversive associative conditioning and thereby reduces the development of dental phobia. Although theory suggests latent inhibition occurs because pre-exposure changes the expected relevance and attention directed to the pre-exposed stimulus, evidence supporting these mechanisms in humans is limited. The aim of this study is to determine if two variables, pre-exposure session spacing and multiple context pre-exposure, potentiate the hypothesized mechanisms of expected relevance and attention and, in turn, increase latent inhibition of dental fear. Methods In a virtual reality simulation, child and adult community members (ages 6 to 35) will take part in pre-exposure and conditioning trials, followed by short- and long-term tests of learning. A 100ms puff of 60 psi air to a maxillary anterior tooth will serve as the unconditioned stimulus. Pre-exposure session spacing (no spacing vs. sessions spaced) and multiple context pre-exposure (single context vs. multiple contexts) will be between-subject factors. Stimulus type (pre-exposed to-be conditioned stimulus, a non-pre-exposed conditioned stimulus, and an unpaired control stimulus) and trial will serve as within-subject factors. Baseline pain sensitivity will also be measured as a potential moderator. Discussion It is hypothesized that spaced pre-exposure and pre-exposure in multiple contexts will increase the engagement of the mechanisms of expected relevance and attention and increase the latent inhibition of dental fear. It is expected that the findings will add to theory on fear learning and provide information to aid the design of future interventions that leverage latent inhibition to reduce dental phobia. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:34:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-76361a67854042b88d2229626924e3b6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:34:01Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-76361a67854042b88d2229626924e3b62024-03-05T20:45:08ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832024-02-011211810.1186/s40359-024-01580-5A test of pre-exposure spacing and multiple context pre-exposure on the mechanisms of latent inhibition of dental fear: A study protocolAndrew L. Geers0Laura D. Seligman1Keenan A. Pituch2Ben Colagiuri3Hilary A. Marusak4Christine A. Rabinak5Sena L. Al-Ado6Natalie Turner7Michael Nedley8Department of Psychology, University of ToledoDepartment of Psychological Science, University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State UniversityDepartment of Psychology, University of SydneyDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Wayne State UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, Wayne State UniversityDepartment of Dentistry, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life SciencesDepartment of Dentistry, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life SciencesDepartment of Dentistry, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life SciencesAbstract Background Latent inhibition occurs when exposure to a stimulus prior its direct associative conditioning impairs learning. Results from naturalistic studies suggest that latent inhibition disrupts the learning of dental fear from aversive associative conditioning and thereby reduces the development of dental phobia. Although theory suggests latent inhibition occurs because pre-exposure changes the expected relevance and attention directed to the pre-exposed stimulus, evidence supporting these mechanisms in humans is limited. The aim of this study is to determine if two variables, pre-exposure session spacing and multiple context pre-exposure, potentiate the hypothesized mechanisms of expected relevance and attention and, in turn, increase latent inhibition of dental fear. Methods In a virtual reality simulation, child and adult community members (ages 6 to 35) will take part in pre-exposure and conditioning trials, followed by short- and long-term tests of learning. A 100ms puff of 60 psi air to a maxillary anterior tooth will serve as the unconditioned stimulus. Pre-exposure session spacing (no spacing vs. sessions spaced) and multiple context pre-exposure (single context vs. multiple contexts) will be between-subject factors. Stimulus type (pre-exposed to-be conditioned stimulus, a non-pre-exposed conditioned stimulus, and an unpaired control stimulus) and trial will serve as within-subject factors. Baseline pain sensitivity will also be measured as a potential moderator. Discussion It is hypothesized that spaced pre-exposure and pre-exposure in multiple contexts will increase the engagement of the mechanisms of expected relevance and attention and increase the latent inhibition of dental fear. It is expected that the findings will add to theory on fear learning and provide information to aid the design of future interventions that leverage latent inhibition to reduce dental phobia.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01580-5Dental phobiaLatent inhibitionFear learningPre-exposurePain sensitivityVirtual reality |
| spellingShingle | Andrew L. Geers Laura D. Seligman Keenan A. Pituch Ben Colagiuri Hilary A. Marusak Christine A. Rabinak Sena L. Al-Ado Natalie Turner Michael Nedley A test of pre-exposure spacing and multiple context pre-exposure on the mechanisms of latent inhibition of dental fear: A study protocol BMC Psychology Dental phobia Latent inhibition Fear learning Pre-exposure Pain sensitivity Virtual reality |
| title | A test of pre-exposure spacing and multiple context pre-exposure on the mechanisms of latent inhibition of dental fear: A study protocol |
| title_full | A test of pre-exposure spacing and multiple context pre-exposure on the mechanisms of latent inhibition of dental fear: A study protocol |
| title_fullStr | A test of pre-exposure spacing and multiple context pre-exposure on the mechanisms of latent inhibition of dental fear: A study protocol |
| title_full_unstemmed | A test of pre-exposure spacing and multiple context pre-exposure on the mechanisms of latent inhibition of dental fear: A study protocol |
| title_short | A test of pre-exposure spacing and multiple context pre-exposure on the mechanisms of latent inhibition of dental fear: A study protocol |
| title_sort | test of pre exposure spacing and multiple context pre exposure on the mechanisms of latent inhibition of dental fear a study protocol |
| topic | Dental phobia Latent inhibition Fear learning Pre-exposure Pain sensitivity Virtual reality |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01580-5 |
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