A brief, computerized intervention targeting error sensitivity reduces the error-related negativity

Abstract

Research has identified the neural response to errors (the error-related negativity; ERN) as a marker of current anxiety, as well as risk for future anxiety. Previous work found that traditional cognitive behavioral therapy approaches do not impact the ERN. However, none of these approaches directly target the psychological constructs linked to an increased ERN (e.g., error sensitivity). In the current study, we examine the extent to which a brief, computerized intervention ("Treating the ERN"; i.e., TERN) might impact the ERN by reducing error sensitivity. Results suggest that TERN reduced the ERN and that the impact of the intervention was larger amongst individuals with an increased baseline ERN. This study is an important first step in the development of a novel intervention approach that directly targets error sensitivity, and thereby the ERN.

Neurocognitive Profiles in Adolescence Predict Subsequent Anxiety Trajectories During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…This distinction has important clinical consequences because intervention or prevention strategies will likely differ whether detection or control is targeted. For example, in contrast to control processes, detection processes (e.g., error monitoring) are not impacted by explicit, cognitive, and behavioral strategies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy ( 45 , 46 , 47 ), but are modified by implicit interventions, such as attention-bias modification training ( 48 , 49 , 50 ) and a computerized intervention that was designed to directly reduce sensitivity to errors ( 51 ). Future studies should continue to develop and evaluate personalized intervention strategies for modifying specific components of cognitive control that may place individuals at higher risk for anxiety during adverse situations.…”

Disentangling the effects of trait and state worry on error‐related brain activity: Results from a randomized controlled trial using worry manipulations

“…It is also discussed whether the ERN can be altered by interventions (Moser et al, 2013; Proudfit et al, 2013). On the one hand, an error‐specific training (Meyer et al, 2020) as well as an attentional bias modification (Klawohn, Hajcak, et al, 2020; Nelson et al, 2015; but see Carlson et al, 2021) successfully reduced ERN amplitudes, suggesting that the ERN can be modulated and might thus be state related to a certain degree. On the other hand, cognitive behavioral therapy decreasing psychopathological symptoms has no effect on the ERN (Gorka et al, 2018; Hajcak et al, 2008; Kujawa et al, 2016; Ladouceur et al, 2018; Riesel et al, 2015), unaffected first‐degree relatives and their affected family members show similar aberrant error monitoring (Carrasco et al, 2013; Riesel et al, 2011; Riesel, Klawohn, et al, 2019), and an enhanced ERN is predictive for the onset of anxiety disorders (Meyer et al, 2015).…”

Understanding Trajectories to Anxiety and Depression: Neural Responses to Errors and Rewards as Indices of Susceptibility to Stressful Life Events

“…These neural responses may therefore be targets for mechanism-based prevention and intervention. Early attempts to target altered error processing either via therapy-based interventions (Meyer et al, 2020) or via brain stimulation (Reinhart et al, 2015) are promising and point to a fruitful avenue for future research. Likewise, there is emerging evidence that the RewP is sensitive to both transcranial magnetic stimulation (Biernacki et al, 2020) and manipulations that increase motivation and the personal salience of potential rewards (Pegg & Kujawa, 2020).…”