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Effects of Engaging in Repeated Mental Imagery of Future Positive Events on Behavioural Activation in Individuals with Major Depressive Disorder.

  • Renner F Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
  • Ji JL Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
  • Pictet A Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Holmes EA Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
  • Blackwell SE Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
  • 2017-05-19
Published in:
  • Cognitive therapy and research. - 2017
Behavioral activation
Cognitive bias modification
Depression
Mental imagery
English Depression is associated with decreased engagement in behavioural activities. A wide range of activities can be promoted by simulating them via mental imagery. Mental imagery of positive events could thus provide a route to increasing adaptive behaviour in depression. The current study tested whether repeated engagement in positive mental imagery led to increases in behavioural activation in participants with depression, using data from a randomized controlled trial (Blackwell et al. in Clin Psychol Sci 3(1):91-111, 2015. doi:10.1177/2167702614560746). Participants (N = 150) were randomized to a 4-week positive imagery intervention or an active non-imagery control condition, completed via the internet. Behavioural activation was assessed five times up to 6 months follow-up using the Behavioural Activation for Depression Scale (BADS). While BADS scores increased over time in both groups, there was an initial greater increase in the imagery condition. Investigating mental imagery simulation of positive activities as a means to promote behavioural activation in depression could provide a fruitful line of enquiry for future research.
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  • English
Open access status
hybrid
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https://sonar.ch/global/documents/46548
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