Benefits seen in neuroimaging, problem-solving, as well as depression, anxiety symptoms<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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MONDAY, June 12, 2023 (HealthDay News) — A novel virtual voice-based coach delivering problem-solving treatment may improve anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as brain function, according to a study published online May 12 in Translational Psychiatry<\/em>.<\/p>\n Thomas Kannampallil, Ph.D., from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and colleagues conducted a pilot trial in which adults with mild-to-moderate depression and\/or anxiety were randomly assigned to the Lumen intervention (42 patients; virtual voice-based coach delivering problem-solving treatment) or to a wait-list control (21 patients).<\/p>\n The researchers found that activation of the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) decreased in the intervention group but increased in the control group, meeting the prespecified threshold for a meaningful effect (Cohen s d<\/em> = 0.3). Change in activation of the left dlPFC and bilateral amygdala were of smaller magnitude (d<\/em> = 0.2). There was a meaningful association observed between change in right dlPFC activation (r<\/em> \u00e2\u0089\u00a5 0.4) and changes in self-reported problem-solving ability and avoidance in the intervention. There were also decreases noted in depression, anxiety, and overall psychological distress scores associated with the intervention, with medium effect sizes (Cohen s d<\/em> = 0.49, 0.51, and 0.55, respectively) versus the control group.<\/p>\n “This kind of technology may serve as a bridge,” a coauthor said in a statement. “It’s not meant to be a replacement for traditional therapy, but it may be an important stop-gap before somebody can seek treatment.”<\/p>\n One author disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry and one cofounded a company that develops artificial intelligence software that tracks brain function.<\/p>\n