@article{ref1,
title="Computerized interpretation bias training for disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: a fast-fail study",
journal="Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry",
year="2021",
author="Haller, Simone P. and Stoddard, Joel and Botz-Zapp, Christian and Clayton, Michal and MacGillivray, Caroline and Perhamus, Gretchen and Stiles, Kelsey and Kircanski, Katharina and Penton-Voak, Ian S. and Bar-Haim, Yair and Munafó, Marcus and Towbin, Kenneth E. and Brotman, Melissa A.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Probing targeted, mechanism-based interventions is the next generation of treatment innovation. Biased threat labeling of ambiguous face emotions (interpretation bias) is a potential behavioral treatment target for anger, aggression, and irritability. Changing biases in face-emotion labeling may improve irritability-related outcomes. Here, we report the first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled targeted trial (RCT) of interpretation bias training (IBT) in youth with chronic, severe irritability. <br><br>METHOD: Patients with current Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD; N=44) were randomly assigned to complete four sessions of active (n=22) or sham (n=22) computerized IBT training within a one-week period. The first and last trainings were completed onsite, and two trainings were completed at home. We examined the effects of active IBT on labeling bias, primary outcome measures of irritability, and secondary outcome measures of anxiety, depression, and functional impairment. Follow-up assessments were completed immediately after the intervention and two weeks following the intervention. <br><br>RESULTS: We found that active IBT engaged the behavioral target in the active relative to the sham condition, shown by a significant shift toward labeling ambiguous faces as happy. However, there was no consistent clinical improvement in active IBT relative to the sham condition, immediately after, or two weeks following training in either primary or secondary outcome measures. <br><br>CONCLUSION: While this RCT of IBT in youth with DMDD engaged the proposed behavioral target, there was no statistically significant improvement on clinical outcome. Identifying and changing behavioral targets is a first step in novel treatment development; these results have broader implications for targeted-based intervention development.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0890-8567",
doi="10.1016/j.jaac.2021.05.022",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2021.05.022"
}