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Real-time fMRI Biofeedback Targeting the Orbitofrontal Cortex for Contamination Anxiety
Published on: January 20, 2012
Brief, interoceptive exposure focused treatment for anxiety in mild cognitive impairment
Norman B Schmidt1, Frederick T Schubert1, Julia L Sheffler2
1Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
Abstract:
Anxiety is common in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Anxiety has also been identified as a risk factor for cognitive decline. Brief interventions targeting risk mechanisms of anxiety, such as anxiety sensitivity (AS), have been effective in reducing overall anxiety in a variety of populations. This case series investigated the feasibility and efficacy of a brief AS intervention in anxious older adults with MCI (n = 9). Paired samples t-test results indicate that this intervention is capable of significantly reducing AS as measured by the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (Δ = 5.11, Hedges g = 0.82, P < 0.05). Given these large AS reductions and high acceptability, further investigation of this intervention is warranted in older adults with MCI.
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