Anxiety Sensitivity Amelioration Training (ASAT): A longitudinal primary prevention program targeting cognitive vulnerability

Abstract Fear of arousal symptoms, often referred to as anxiety sensitivity (AS) appears to be associated with risk for anxiety pathology and other Axis I conditions. Findings from a longitudinal prevention program targeting AS are reported. Participants ( n = 404) scoring high on the Anxiety Sensit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of anxiety disorders 2007-01, Vol.21 (3), p.302-319
Main Authors: Schmidt, Norman B, Eggleston, A. Meade, Woolaway-Bickel, Kelly, Fitzpatrick, Kathleen Kara, Vasey, Michael W, Richey, J. Anthony
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Anxiety - diagnosis
Anxiety - prevention & control
Anxiety - psychology
Anxiety disorders. Neuroses
Biological and medical sciences
Carbon Dioxide
Cognition
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Panic Disorder - diagnosis
Panic Disorder - prevention & control
Panic Disorder - psychology
Program Development
Prospective Studies
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychotherapy, Brief - methods
Risk Reduction Behavior
Sensitivity Training Groups
Severity of Illness Index
Surveys and Questionnaires
Teaching - methods
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Summary:Abstract Fear of arousal symptoms, often referred to as anxiety sensitivity (AS) appears to be associated with risk for anxiety pathology and other Axis I conditions. Findings from a longitudinal prevention program targeting AS are reported. Participants ( n = 404) scoring high on the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) were randomly assigned to receive a brief intervention designed to reduce AS (Anxiety Sensitivity Amelioration Training (ASAT)) or a control condition. Participants were followed for up to 24 months. Findings indicate that ASAT produced greater reductions in ASI levels compared with the control condition. Moreover, reductions were specific to anxiety sensitivity relative to related cognitive risk factors for anxiety. ASAT also produced decreased subjective fear responding to a 20% CO2 challenge delivered postintervention. Data from the follow-up period show a lower incidence of Axis I diagnoses in the treated condition though the overall group difference was not statistically different at all follow-up intervals. Overall, findings are promising for the preventative efficacy of a brief, computer-based intervention designed to decrease anxiety sensitivity.
ISSN:0887-6185
1873-7897
DOI:10.1016/j.janxdis.2006.06.002