@article{ref1,
title="Reductions in alexithymia and emotion dysregulation after training emotional self-awareness following traumatic brain injury: a phase I trial",
journal="Journal of head trauma rehabilitation",
year="2017",
author="Neumann, Dawn and Malec, James F. and Hammond, Flora M.",
volume="32",
number="5",
pages="286-295",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: To examine the acceptability and initial efficacy of an emotional self-awareness treatment at reducing alexithymia and emotion dysregulation in participants with traumatic brain injury (TBI). SETTING: An outpatient rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen adults with moderate to severe TBI and alexithymia. Time postinjury ranged 1 to 33 years. <br><br>DESIGN: Within subject design, with 3 assessment times: baseline, posttest, and 2-month follow-up. INTERVENTION: Eight lessons incorporated psychoeducational information and skill-building exercises teaching emotional vocabulary, labeling, and differentiating self-emotions; interoceptive awareness; and distinguishing emotions from thoughts, actions, and sensations. MEASURES: Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (TAS-20); Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS); Trait Anxiety Inventory (TAI); Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI); Difficulty With Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS); and Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). <br><br>RESULTS: Thirteen participants completed the treatment. Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed changes on the TAS-20 (P =.003), LEAS (P <.001), TAI (P =.014), STAXI (P =.015), DERS (P =.020), and positive affect (P <.005). Paired t tests indicated significant baseline to posttest improvements on these measures. Gains were maintained at follow-up for the TAS, LEAS, and positive affect. Treatment satisfaction was high. <br><br>CONCLUSION: This is the first study published on treating alexithymia post-TBI. Positive changes were identified for emotional self-awareness and emotion regulation; some changes were maintained several months posttreatment. <br><br>FINDINGS justify advancing to the next investigational phase for this novel intervention.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0885-9701",
doi="10.1097/HTR.0000000000000277",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/HTR.0000000000000277"
}