Targeting self-reported and neural error sensitivity: Short- and long-term effects of a one-week online intervention

Elevated error-related brain potentials such as the error-related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe) have been discussed as neural markers of error sensitivity and are thought to reflect increased risk for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Consequently, targeting error sensitivity with precise interventions has been found a promising avenue of recent mechanism-based research aiming to reduce this risk. In this preregistered, randomized-controlled trial, we tested the efficacy of a one-week, online intervention designed to reduce error sensitivity. A sample of 237 individuals was randomly assigned to either the intervention or a waitlist control group. Participants completed self-report measures of error sensitivity as well as worry, obsessive-compulsive, and depressive symptoms at pre- and post-intervention, and at an eight-week follow-up. Additionally, neural measures (ERN and Pe) were assessed in a subsample of 69 participants before and after the intervention. Intent-to-treat analyses revealed a medium-sized reduction of self-reported error sensitivity and worry symptoms in the intervention group, with effects persisting at follow-up. Moreover, greater baseline severity and higher intervention adherence were associated with larger reductions of self-reported error sensitivity. In the subsample, no evidence was found for an ERN reduction. However, a reduction in the Pe was observed, indicating diminished error significance and decreased allocation of cognitive resources to erroneous actions. These results suggest that the online intervention reduces both self-reported and neural error sensitivity (Pe but not ERN), offering a low‑threshold, easily disseminable approach with promise as an early prevention tool and as an adjunct to established cognitive‑behavioral treatments.