Targeting intrusive imagery using a competing task technique: a case study
<p><strong>Background:</strong> Even in cases with complexity, simple techniques can be useful to target a specific symptom. Intrusive mental images are highly disruptive, drive emotion, and contribute to maintaining psychopathology. Cognitive science suggests we might target intru...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press
2020
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| _version_ | 1797053295496265728 |
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| author | Iyadurai, L Hales, S Blackwell, S Young, K Holmes, E |
| author_facet | Iyadurai, L Hales, S Blackwell, S Young, K Holmes, E |
| author_sort | Iyadurai, L |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | <p><strong>Background:</strong> Even in cases with complexity, simple techniques can be useful to target a specific symptom. Intrusive mental images are highly disruptive, drive emotion, and contribute to maintaining psychopathology. Cognitive science suggests we might target intrusive images using competing tasks.</p>
<p><strong>Aims:</strong> We describe an imagery competing task technique within cognitive behavioural therapy with a patient with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. The intervention – including Tetris computer game-play – was used 1) to target a specific image within one therapy session, and 2) to manage multiple images in daily life.</p>
<p><strong>Method:</strong> A single case (AB) design was used. 1) To target a specific image, the patient brought the image to mind and, after mental rotation instructions and gameplay practice, played Tetris for 10 minutes. Outcomes, pre- and post-technique, were: vividness/distress ratings when the image was brought to mind; reported intrusion frequency over a week. 2) To manage multiple images, the patient used the intervention after an intrusive image occurred. Outcomes were weekly measures of: a) imagery characteristics; b) symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression and mania.</p>
<p><strong>Results:</strong> 1) For the target image, there were reductions in vividness (80% to 40%), distress (70% to 0%), and intrusion frequency (daily to twice/week). 2) For multiple images, there were reductions from baseline to follow-up in a) imagery vividness (38%), realness (66%) and compellingness (23%), and b) PTSD symptoms (IES-R score 26.33 to 4.83).</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> This low-intensity intervention aiming to directly target intrusive mental imagery may offer an additional, complementary tool in CBT.</p> |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-06T18:41:49Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:0d1abf9d-d7fd-4e89-be6e-7704bfa71b71 |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-06T18:41:49Z |
| publishDate | 2020 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:0d1abf9d-d7fd-4e89-be6e-7704bfa71b712022-03-26T09:38:53ZTargeting intrusive imagery using a competing task technique: a case studyJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:0d1abf9d-d7fd-4e89-be6e-7704bfa71b71EnglishSymplectic ElementsCambridge University Press2020Iyadurai, LHales, SBlackwell, SYoung, KHolmes, E<p><strong>Background:</strong> Even in cases with complexity, simple techniques can be useful to target a specific symptom. Intrusive mental images are highly disruptive, drive emotion, and contribute to maintaining psychopathology. Cognitive science suggests we might target intrusive images using competing tasks.</p> <p><strong>Aims:</strong> We describe an imagery competing task technique within cognitive behavioural therapy with a patient with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. The intervention – including Tetris computer game-play – was used 1) to target a specific image within one therapy session, and 2) to manage multiple images in daily life.</p> <p><strong>Method:</strong> A single case (AB) design was used. 1) To target a specific image, the patient brought the image to mind and, after mental rotation instructions and gameplay practice, played Tetris for 10 minutes. Outcomes, pre- and post-technique, were: vividness/distress ratings when the image was brought to mind; reported intrusion frequency over a week. 2) To manage multiple images, the patient used the intervention after an intrusive image occurred. Outcomes were weekly measures of: a) imagery characteristics; b) symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression and mania.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> 1) For the target image, there were reductions in vividness (80% to 40%), distress (70% to 0%), and intrusion frequency (daily to twice/week). 2) For multiple images, there were reductions from baseline to follow-up in a) imagery vividness (38%), realness (66%) and compellingness (23%), and b) PTSD symptoms (IES-R score 26.33 to 4.83).</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> This low-intensity intervention aiming to directly target intrusive mental imagery may offer an additional, complementary tool in CBT.</p> |
| spellingShingle | Iyadurai, L Hales, S Blackwell, S Young, K Holmes, E Targeting intrusive imagery using a competing task technique: a case study |
| title | Targeting intrusive imagery using a competing task technique: a case study |
| title_full | Targeting intrusive imagery using a competing task technique: a case study |
| title_fullStr | Targeting intrusive imagery using a competing task technique: a case study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Targeting intrusive imagery using a competing task technique: a case study |
| title_short | Targeting intrusive imagery using a competing task technique: a case study |
| title_sort | targeting intrusive imagery using a competing task technique a case study |
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