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Inhibitory control and its modification in spider phobia - Study protocol for an antisaccade training trial
Anne Sophie Hildebrand1, Fabian Breuer2, Elisabeth Johanna Leehr2
1Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany.
Plos One
|December 19, 2023
Summary
This study investigates inhibitory control in spider phobia using antisaccade tasks and training. Findings may inform new treatments for specific phobias by targeting cognitive deficits.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychopathology
Background:
- Inhibitory control deficits are implicated in anxiety disorders, particularly specific phobias.
- The antisaccade task is a validated measure for assessing inhibitory control through reaction times and error rates.
- Spider phobia (SP) presents an opportunity to study these deficits and their potential modifiability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine inhibitory control, measured by antisaccade performance, in individuals with spider phobia compared to healthy controls.
- To investigate whether a fear-specific antisaccade training can modify inhibitory control in both spider phobia patients and healthy controls.
- To explore the relationship between changes in inhibitory control and fear-related measures following training in spider phobia patients.
Main Methods:
- Emotional antisaccade and prosaccade tasks were used to assess antisaccade latencies and error rates.
- Baseline and post-training assessments included psychophysiological, behavioral, and psychometric measures of fear.
- A fear-specific antisaccade training was compared against a prosaccade training control condition in a cross-over design for SP patients.
Main Results:
- Antisaccade performance (latencies and error rates) was assessed in spider phobia patients and healthy controls.
- The study evaluated the impact of fear-specific antisaccade training on inhibitory control.
- Associations between training-induced changes in antisaccade performance and fear measures were explored in SP patients.
Conclusions:
- This research aims to enhance understanding of inhibitory control mechanisms in spider phobia.
- Successful antisaccade training could offer a novel therapeutic approach for specific phobias by addressing underlying cognitive deficits.
- The study is preregistered (ISRCTN12918583) and contributes to the development of targeted interventions for phobic disorders.
