Attention Training Technique and Mindful Self-Compassion

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Attention Training Technique and Mindful Self-Compassion

The design of the study is a randomized controlled trial. A total of 80 students with self-reported symptoms of stress/anxiety/depression will be invited to take part in a 3-session course consisting of either attention training or self-compassion/mindfulness based meditation. Attention training involves modifying metacognitive control and enhancing attention flexibility so that people can refrain from responding to intrusions with extended processing. Self-compassion involves not avoiding painful or distressing feelings. Instead these experiences are held in awareness with kindness, understanding, and a sense of shared humanity.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Depression; Stress, Psychological; Anxiety
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Attention training technique; Behavioral: Mindful self-compassion

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 81
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Norway
  • Trondheim, Norway, 7491
    • Psykologisk Institutt, Dragvoll

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• self reported symptoms of stress/anxiety/depression

Exclusion Criteria:

-

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: PARALLEL
• Masking: NONE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: Attention training technique	Behavioral: Attention training technique; Attention training involves modifying metacognitive control and enhancing attention flexibility so that people can refrain from responding to intrusions with extended processing.; Other Names: ATT
ACTIVE_COMPARATOR: Mindful self-compassion	Behavioral: Mindful self-compassion; Self-compassion involves not avoiding painful or distressing feelings. Instead these experiences are held in awareness with kindness, understanding, and a sense of shared humanity.; Other Names: MSC

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in symptoms of depression as assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9	Assesses symptoms of depression. Total score range from 0 (no depression) to 27 (very depressed). Lower values represent better outcome. Subscale scores are not used.	Baseline, immediately after last session, 6 months after intervention
Change in symptoms of anxiety as assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale	Assesses symptoms of anxiety. Total score range from 0 (no depression) to 21 (very depressed). Lower values represent better outcome. Subscale scores are not used.	Baseline, immediately after last session, 6 months after intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Changes in self-compassion as assessed by the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form	Assessment of self-compassion. Total score range from 12 (no self-compassion) to 60 (high on self-compassion). Higher values represent better outcome. Subscale scores are not used.	Baseline, immediately after last session, 6 months after intervention
Changes in the attention flexibility subscale of the Detached Mindfulness Questionnaire	Assessment of attention flexibility. Total score for attention flexibility range from 5 (no flexibility) to 25 (very flexible). Higher values represent better outcome. No other subscales are used.	Baseline, immediately after last session, 6 months after intervention
Changes in mindfulness as assessed with The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire	Assessment of mindfulness. Total score range from 20 (not mindful at all) to 100(very mindful). Higher values represent better outcome. Subscale scores are not analyzed.	Baseline, immediately after last session, 6 months after intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• Investigators: Study Director: Magne Flaten, phd, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ACTUAL): May 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): May 1, 2017
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): September 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 30, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 1, 2017
• First Posted (ACTUAL): November 6, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): November 6, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 1, 2017
• Last Verified: November 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Stress, Psychological
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2015/470-1

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No