VA Office of Research and Development
Anhedonia, a reduction in motivation and in the ability to feel positive emotions, is widespread among Veterans across a range of psychiatric disorders. This impairment is associated with poorer psychosocial functioning and is resistant to first-line medication and psychotherapy treatments. However, interventions to improve anhedonia are sorely lacking. Reward learning supports motivation to seek rewards, and this mechanism can be enhanced by engaging in reward exploration. Our preliminary findings suggest that this approach can help improve reward responsiveness and positive mood among depressed and anxious individuals. Thus, the proposed research will test the preliminary efficacy of a computerized reward learning training in improving reward sensitivity and reducing anhedonia in Veterans. This new intervention could offer a novel remotely accessible treatment and help enhance the efficacy of existing evidence-based treatments for depression and other psychiatric conditions in Veterans.
Anhedonia, which is characterized by reduced reward responsiveness and blunted positive affect, is widespread among Veterans across a range of psychiatric conditions, including depression and PTSD. Anhedonia manifests as reduced exploration of rewards in a range of domains, including social connectedness and workforce engagement, and is associated with poorer psychosocial functioning and reduced response to psychiatric treatment. Despite the prominence of anhedonia and these associated deficits, the treatment of impaired reward responsiveness and underlying mechanisms has received relatively l…
Inclusion Criteria: * being a Veteran * having at least moderate levels anhedonia (Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale score\>=20) * having sufficient vision and reading skills to complete the study protocol * being willing to attend treatment and assessment sessions Exclusion Criteria: * lifetime history of psychotic or bipolar I disorder * neurological/neurodevelopmental disorders or sensory deficits that may impact cognitive function to preclude completion of study procedure (including past loss of consciousness \> 24 hours) * taking certain psychotropic medications that may impact goal-direc…
This arm provides an active reward learning training.
This arm provides an inactive reward learning training.
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