Different components of cognitive-behavioral therapy affect specific cognitive mechanisms

Sci Adv. 2024 Mar 29;10(13):eadk3222. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adk3222. Epub 2024 Mar 27.ABSTRACTPsychological therapies are among the most effective treatments for common mental health problems-however, we still know relatively little about how exactly they improve symptoms. Here, we demonstrate the power of combining theory with computational methods to parse effects of different components of cognitive-behavioral therapies onto underlying mechanisms. Specifically, we present data from a series of randomized-controlled experiments testing the effects of brief components of behavioral and cognitive therapies on different cognitive processes, using well-validated behavioral measures and associated computational models. A goal setting intervention, based on behavioral activation therapy activities, reliably and selectively reduced sensitivity to effort when deciding how to act to gain reward. By contrast, a cognitive restructuring intervention, based on cognitive therapy materials, reliably and selectively reduced the tendency to attribute negative everyday events to self-related causes. The effects of each intervention were specific to these respective measures. Our approach provides a basis for beginning to understand how different elements of common psychotherapy programs may work.PMID:38536924 | DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adk3222
Source: Adv Data - Category: Epidemiology Authors: Source Type: research