Banning pre-event rumination in social anxiety: A preliminary randomized trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effectiveness of a brief metacognitive therapy intervention (detached mindfulness) in reducing pre-event rumination, state anxiety, and threat appraisals in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Results Summary
The intervention group showed reduced frequency, uncontrollability, and distress associated with pre-event rumination compared to the control group, but no differences were found in performance/threat appraisals or state anxiety. Pre-event rumination increased in frequency and distress 24 hours before the feared social situation.
Population
Individuals diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD)
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
4 days (daily measures until speech task)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
banning pre-event rumination using a metacognitive therapy technique known as detached mindfulness | decrease | frequency associated with pre-event rumination | Participants with SAD | - | reduced | #1 |
banning pre-event rumination using a metacognitive therapy technique known as detached mindfulness | decrease | uncontrollability associated with pre-event rumination | Participants with SAD | - | reduced | #2 |
banning pre-event rumination using a metacognitive therapy technique known as detached mindfulness | decrease | distress associated with pre-event rumination | Participants with SAD | - | reduced | #3 |
banning pre-event rumination using a metacognitive therapy technique known as detached mindfulness | no change | performance and threat appraisals | Participants with SAD | - | no difference | #4 |
banning pre-event rumination using a metacognitive therapy technique known as detached mindfulness | no change | state anxiety | Participants with SAD | - | no difference | #5 |
- | increase | frequency of rumination | Participants with SAD | - | increase | #6 |
- | increase | associated distress of rumination | Participants with SAD | - | increase | #7 |
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pre-event rumination has a clear role in maintaining social anxiety according to cognitive models. However, it is unclear what specific strategies can address pre-event rumination for individuals diagnosed with SAD. The current study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a brief intervention on multiple aspects of pre-event rumination, state anxiety and performance and threat appraisals. Additionally, the trajectory of pre-event rumination was investigated over four days. METHODS: Participants with SAD were informed they would be required to complete a speech task in four days' time and were randomised to an intervention (n = 27) or a non-active control group (n = 25). The intervention group were instructed to "ban" pre-event rumination using a metacognitive therapy technique known as detached mindfulness. All participants completed daily measures of pre-evet rumination that assessed frequency, uncontrollability, engagement and distress associated with pre-event rumination. On the day of the speech task, participants also completed state and cognitive measures before delivering the speech task. RESULTS: The intervention group reported reduced frequency, uncontrollability and distress associated with pre-event rumination, compared to the control group. There was no difference between groups for performance and threat appraisals as well as state anxiety. Rumination is a stable and robust process, with an increase in frequency and associated distress 24 hours before a feared social situation. LIMITATIONS: The lack of an active control group precludes comparisons to more traditional cognitive-behavioural therapy strategies for pre-event rumination. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-event rumination is a durable process but banning pre-event rumination using metacognitive therapy techniques shows promise for specifically addressing this maladaptive process.