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Anxiety sensitivity and interoceptive exposure: a transdiagnostic construct and change strategy
James F Boswell1, Todd J Farchione, Shannon Sauer-Zavala
1Department of Psychology, Boston University, MA 02216, USA. jboswell@bu.edu
Behavior Therapy
|June 18, 2013
Summary
Anxiety sensitivity (AS) significantly decreased with transdiagnostic treatment, correlating with improved outcomes. Interoceptive exposure (IE) effectively reduced AS across various anxiety disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is increasingly recognized as a transdiagnostic factor in emotional disorders.
- Interoceptive exposure (IE) is a therapeutic technique that may target AS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate AS levels across anxiety disorders.
- To examine AS changes during transdiagnostic treatment and their relation to outcomes.
- To describe IE implementation for AS in anxiety disorders.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-four patients undergoing the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) were assessed.
- AS and symptom severity were measured pre- and post-treatment.
- Clinical data on physical symptoms and IE were collected.
Main Results:
- Elevated AS was present at pretreatment across diagnoses.
- AS decreased from pre- to post-treatment, coinciding with IE introduction.
- Reduced AS correlated with symptom improvement at posttreatment and 6-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- AS is relevant across anxiety disorders.
- IE appears useful for reducing AS and improving outcomes in anxiety disorders.
- Transdiagnostic treatment effectively reduces AS.
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