Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry
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J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry · Dec 2014
Reliability, validity and sensitivity of a computerized visual analog scale measuring state anxiety.
Assessment of state anxiety is frequently required in clinical and research settings, but its measurement using standard multi-item inventories entails practical challenges. Such inventories are increasingly complemented by paper-and-pencil, single-item visual analog scales measuring state anxiety (VAS-A), which allow rapid assessment of current anxiety states. Computerized versions of VAS-A offer additional advantages, including facilitated and accurate data collection and analysis, and applicability to computer-based protocols. Here, we establish the psychometric properties of a computerized VAS-A. ⋯ The adequate psychometric characteristics, combined with simple and rapid administration, make the computerized VAS-A a valuable self-rating tool for state anxiety. It may prove particularly useful for clinical and research settings where multi-item inventories are less applicable, including computer-based treatment and assessment protocols. The VAS-A is freely available: http://people.socsci.tau.ac.il/mu/anxietytrauma/visual-analog-scale/.
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J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry · Dec 2014
Do fibromyalgia patients benefit from cognitive restructuring and acceptance? An experimental study.
The aim of this study was to clarify mechanisms of psychological fibromyalgia treatment by experimentally examining the effectiveness of its core elements. We assessed the effects of cognitive restructuring and acceptance on experimentally-induced heat and cold pain tolerance and pain intensity in fibromyalgia patients. ⋯ Results show that both, cognitive restructuring and acceptance instructions, enhance pain tolerance in fibromyalgia patients.