Can emotional working memory training improve cognitive behavioral therapy outcomes for social anxiety disorder : A pilot study

Journal article


du Toit, Simone A., Schweizer, Susanne, Moustafa, Ahmed A. and Wong, Quincy J. J.. (2024). Can emotional working memory training improve cognitive behavioral therapy outcomes for social anxiety disorder : A pilot study. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy. 38(1), pp. 33-52. https://doi.org/10.1891/JCP-2022-0013
Authorsdu Toit, Simone A., Schweizer, Susanne, Moustafa, Ahmed A. and Wong, Quincy J. J.
Abstract

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) models highlight maladaptive attention as a maintaining factor of SAD, potentially negatively impacting how individuals with SAD engage with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) content in a therapist’s presence. Emotional working memory training (eWMT) has been shown to improve affective attentional control. This pilot study assessed the proposed methodology for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine whether eWMT, by improving attentional control prior to internet-based CBT (iCBT), results in better CBT outcomes. The RCT would be considered feasible if the pilot study achieved rates ≥80% for eligible participants recruited, study measures completion, intervention completion, and participant retention. Results from 10 randomized participants showed rates ≥80% for recruitment of eligible participants and iCBT intervention completion. Completion of study measures, eWMT and Placebo training interventions, and participant retention were <80%. Results highlight the need to consider strategies to improve the methodology prior to the RCT.

Keywordssocial anxiety; social phobia; working memory training; internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy; treatment; feasibility study
Year2024
JournalJournal of Cognitive Psychotherapy
Journal citation38 (1), pp. 33-52
PublisherSpringer Publishing Company
ISSN0889-8391
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1891/JCP-2022-0013
PubMed ID38320773
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85185129151
Page range33-52
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online2024
Publication process dates
Deposited26 Mar 2025
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The effect of emotional working memory training on emotional and cognitive outcomes in individuals with elevated social anxiety
du Toit, Simone, Kade, Saif A., Danielson, Craig T., Schweizer, Susanne, Han, Jin, Torok, Michelle and Wong, Quincy J. J.. (2020). The effect of emotional working memory training on emotional and cognitive outcomes in individuals with elevated social anxiety. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports. 261, pp. 76-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.09.085