Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance
Published on: July 19, 2017
Behavioral activation versus cognitive restructuring to reduce automatic negative thoughts in anxiety generating
Elvira Nieto Fernández1, Jorge Barraca Mairal
1Universidad Camilo José Cela.
Background:
Recent studies have compared the efficacy of cognitive intervention compared to behavioral techniques for the treatment of different disorders. In line with that work, the empirical study presented here examined the efficacy of Behavioral Activation (BA) and Cognitive Therapy (CT) on Negative Automatic Thoughts (PANs) elicited in situations generating anxiety.
Method:
Based on a sample of 42 students aged 18 to 21 who took the ISRA B, BADS and EROS, 18 subjects with the highest scores were selected and assigned at random to one of two experimental groups or to a control group. Experimental Group 1 was given intervention based on CT and Experimental Group 2 based on BA. Both interventions consisted of five 60-min sessions.
Results:
Pre and post treatment measurement analyses reveal that both conditions effectively reduced the intensity of the anxiety response. However, BA was the only condition showing a significant reduction in ANTs.
Conclusions:
The results are discussed stressing the efficacy of BA in exclusively cognitive intervention.
More Related Videos
09:14Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: March 14, 2025
11:17Protocol for Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Symptom Provocation to Treat Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
Published on: November 25, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Therapy
Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Beck's Cognitive Therapy
Arbitrary Inference
Arbitrary inference involves making conclusions without sufficient...
The Influence of Cognition on Affect
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.