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The Effects of Computerized Cognitive Control Training on Community Adults with Depressed Mood

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2014

Amanda W. Calkins ,
Katherine E. McMorran ,
Greg J. Siegle  and
Michael W. Otto
Amanda W. Calkins*
Affiliation:
Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA
Katherine E. McMorran
Affiliation:
The Catholic University of America, USA
Greg J. Siegle
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA
Michael W. Otto
Affiliation:
Boston University, USA
*
Reprint requests to Amanda W. Calkins, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, Boston MA 02114, USA. E-mail: acalkins@partners.org
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Abstract

Background: Depression is frequently characterized by patterns of inflexible, maladaptive, and ruminative thinking styles, which are thought to result from a combination of decreased attentional control, decreased executive functioning, and increased negative affect. Cognitive Control Training (CCT) uses computer-based behavioral exercises with the aim of strengthening cognitive and emotional functions. A previous study found that severely depressed participants who received CCT exhibited reduced negative affect and rumination as well as improved concentration. Aims: The present study aimed to extend this line of research by employing a more stringent control group and testing the efficacy of three sessions of CCT over a 2-week period in a community population with depressed mood. Method: Forty-eight participants with high Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) scores were randomized to CCT or a comparison condition (Peripheral Vision Training; PVT). Results: Significant large effect sizes favoring CCT over PVT were found on the BDI-II (d = 0.73, p < .05) indicating CCT was effective in reducing negative mood. Additionally, correlations showed significant relationships between CCT performance (indicating ability to focus attention on CCT) and state affect ratings. Conclusions: Our results suggest that CCT is effective in altering depressed mood, although it may be specific to select mood dimensions.

Keywords

Depressionadultsattentional trainingcomputer-aided psychotherapy
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 43 , Issue 5 , September 2015 , pp. 578 - 589
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2014 

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