Emotion Regulation Therapy for Emotional Distress

Overseen By Abigail Szkutak

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Teachers College, Columbia University

Must not be taking: Psychotropic medication

Disqualifiers: Suicidal ideation, Substance dependence, Schizophrenia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 17

Duration: 12 weeks

24 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that if you are taking psychotropic medication, it must have been stable for at least 3 months. If your medication hasn't been stable for that long, you may need to adjust it before participating.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Emotion Regulation Therapy via Telehealth for emotional distress?

Research shows that Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT) is effective for treating distress disorders like anxiety and depression, with studies indicating strong results comparable to other established therapies. Additionally, internet-based emotion regulation interventions have shown promise in improving emotional regulation in various mental health conditions, suggesting potential benefits for telehealth delivery. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Emotion Regulation Therapy safe for humans?

The research articles do not provide specific safety data for Emotion Regulation Therapy, but they discuss its use in treating emotional disorders like depression and anxiety, suggesting it is generally considered safe for these conditions. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

How is Emotion Regulation Therapy via Telehealth different from other treatments for emotional distress?

Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT) is unique because it integrates skills training and exposure techniques from both traditional and contemporary therapies, focusing on motivational responses and regulatory characteristics of individuals with high levels of chronic distress. It is delivered via telehealth, making it accessible remotely, and has shown strong effectiveness in treating distress disorders like generalized anxiety and major depression. ^{1 2 5 8 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an online therapy to help people in New York who worry a lot or criticize themselves. The therapy aims to teach skills for managing negative thoughts and emotions to reduce anxiety and depression.

Research Team

Douglas S Mennin

Principal Investigator

Professor of Clinical Psychology

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for New York State residents aged 18-65 who are fluent in English and have internet access. Participants must meet DSM-5 criteria for a psychological disorder and report high levels of worry, rumination, or self-criticism. It's not open to those on unstable psychotropic meds, current students at Teachers College, Columbia University, anyone already in therapy, with active suicidal thoughts or certain psychiatric conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

High self-reported worry, rumination, and/or self-criticism

Currently living in New York State

Access to at least one device with internet and video-conferencing capabilities

Exclusion Criteria

Substance dependence disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar-I disorder, or a primary DSM-5 diagnosis of borderline or narcissistic personality disorder

Active suicidal ideation or intent

My mental health medication has been stable for over 3 months.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

Treatment

Participants attend 12 once-weekly telehealth ERT sessions

12 weeks

12 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

4 assessments (online)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Emotion Regulation Therapy via Telehealth

Trial Overview The study tests Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT) delivered via telehealth over 12 sessions to see how it affects individuals with elevated worry, rumination or self-criticism. The focus is on the personal changes experienced before, during and after treatment.

Participant Groups

Group I: Treatment Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants will receive a 12-session version of Emotion Regulation Therapy delivered weekly via synchronous telehealth using videoconferencing software and an asynchronous Internet-based online platform to supplement the content covered in each session.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Teachers College, Columbia University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

27

Recruited

6,100+

Findings from Research

The pilot study involving 39 adolescents (ages 13-18) found that adding guided internet-based emotion regulation training (ERT) to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was feasible and acceptable, with a treatment adherence rate of 66.5%.

Preliminary results indicated that the CBT + ERT group experienced significantly reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as improved emotion regulation strategies, compared to the CBT-only group at the six-month follow-up.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet-based emotion-regulation training added to CBT in adolescents with depressive and anxiety disorders: A pilot randomized controlled trial to examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness. Wisman, MA., Emmelkamp, J., Dekker, JJM., et al.[2022]

References

1. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

REMOTION Blended Transdiagnostic Intervention for Symptom Reduction and Improvement of Emotion Regulation in an Outpatient Psychotherapeutic Setting: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. [2020]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emotion Regulation Therapy: A Mechanism-Targeted Treatment for Disorders of Distress. [2020]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Improving Emotion Regulation Following Web-Based Group Intervention for Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of a transdiagnostic internet-based protocol for the treatment of emotional disorders versus treatment as usual in specialized care: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. [2022]

5. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Internet-based emotion-regulation training added to CBT in adolescents with depressive and anxiety disorders: A pilot randomized controlled trial to examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Positive emotion regulation in emotional disorders: a theoretical review. [2013]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measuring Emotion Regulation Skill Use During Treatment: A Promising Methodological Approach. [2023]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smiling is fun: a Coping with Stress and Emotion Regulation Program. [2018]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of digital technologies aimed at enhancing emotion regulation skills: Literature review. [2022]