Controlled Evaluation of a Computerized Anger-reduction Treatment for Suicide Prevention

NCT01918696 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2013.10885
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a computerized intervention designed to reduce anger-provoking interpretation biases will reduce suicide risk among individuals with elevated levels of trait anger.

Conditions

Anger; Suicidal Ideation

Keywords

suicide; anger; interpretation modification; computerized treatment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2; Spielberger, 1999)

  change from baseline at 1-month, 3-months, and 6-months

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Beck Suicide Scale (BSS; Beck et al., 1979)

  change from baseline at 1-month, 3-months, and 6-months

Other Outcomes (1)

• Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ; Van Orden, Cukrowicz, Witte, & Joiner, 2012

  change from baseline at 1-month, 3-month, and 6-months

Study Arms (3)

Anger Reduction Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

This treatment consists of eight 15-minute sessions. Participants will read scenarios and imagine themselves in these situations: "A driver does not let you over even though you have your blinker on." Next, another will appear to provide a less ambiguous interpretation. One letter will be missing from the key word of this sentence. The sentence will read "They can't s\_e you." The participant will fill in the missing letter (to form "see"). Next, this interpretation will be reinforced by requiring the participants to correctly answer "yes" or "no" to a comprehension question ("Is the driver being disrespectful?"). In each session 64 training scenarios will be presented. Participants will never see the same scenario twice over the course of the study.

Behavioral: Anger Reduction Treatment

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive eight 15-minute sessions of PMR. They will listen to a PMR script (Kassinove \& Tafrate, 2002). Participants will be asked to make sure they are sitting comfortably, close their eyes, and systematically tense and release 10 different muscle groups. At the end of this procedure, participants will create a plan for when they will use the exercise. They will then type out the sentence: "When I feel \[write the feeling you decided on\], then I will use this relaxation technique." They will then be told, "Now, go over what you have written and say it quietly to yourself until you can repeat it word for word without having to read what you have written."

Behavioral: Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Control Condition

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

To control for expectancy effects, participants assigned to the control condition will complete eight computerized sessions consisting of psychoeducation on healthy behaviors. These sessions will be matched for time with the active conditions, lasting 15 minutes each. Psychoeducation will cover the topics of exercise, diet, hygiene, social support, healthy activities, and sleep, and will be taken from protocols developed from our ongoing research. This psychoeducation is perceived as credible but has no detectable impact on behavior. After the post-treatment session, participants will be provided with the active ART treatment free of charge if they wish to receive it.

Behavioral: Control Condition

Interventions

Anger Reduction Treatment BEHAVIORAL

Eight 15-minute sessions of interpretation modification to reduce angry interpretation biases.

Anger Reduction Treatment

Progressive Muscle Relaxation BEHAVIORAL

Eight 15-minute sessions of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) including formulation of a plan to use PMR when angry.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Control Condition BEHAVIORAL

Eight 15-minute sessions of informative videos on healthy living.

Control Condition

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• elevated levels of trait anger (scoring 19 or higher, or the top 25% of the general population)
• must have access to a computer with an internet connection
• must also be English speakers

You may not qualify if:

• currently receiving therapy for problematic anger
• evidence of serious suicidal intent requiring hospitalization or immediate treatment
• evidence of psychotic-spectrum disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Florida State University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Florida State University, Department of Psychology

Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Suicidal Ideation; Suicide

Interventions

Autogenic Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Self-Injurious Behavior; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hypnosis; Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Jesse R Cougle, PhD

  Florida State University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 11, 2013
• First Posted: August 8, 2013
• Study Start: October 1, 2013
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2016
• Study Completion: September 1, 2016
• Last Updated: January 29, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-01

Locations

US (1)