Effectiveness of Competitive Memory Training in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Reducing Anxiety and Worry

Abstract

Background: Although anxiety is an important mediator of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), there is inadequate evidence to treat people particularly for anxiety symptoms that improve the state of health in people with GAD. Methods: The present study with pretest and posttest design and experimental and control groups was conducted on patients with GAD in Shiraz, Iran. According to the tendency of the participants, structured diagnostic interview, and inclusion criteria, 20 patients were randomly selected for the treatment group and 20 subjects with GAD for the waitlist control group. Participants were given competitive memory training (COMET) for GAD in four sessions. Results: The current study findings showed that COMET decreased the rate of worry and anxiety. Conclusions: The current study illustrated that the COMET protocol for GAD might have a positive effect on worry and anxiety.