Olfactory imagery as a retrieval method for autobiographical memories.

INTRODUCTION: The retrieval of autobiographical memories is influenced by several factors, such as sensory modality and the emotional salience of memory cues. This study aimed at investigating the interaction between sensory modalities (olfaction, vision) and emotional dimensions (valence, arousal) of imagery cues, on the frequency, quality, and age distribution of the autobiographical memories (AMs) elicited. METHOD: A total of 296 females (aged between 18 and 35 years) received one out of eight brief instructions for olfactory or visual imagery. The participants were asked to create a mental image with either high arousal/positive valence, high arousal/negative valence, low arousal/positive valence, or low arousal/negative valence (e.g., 'imagine an unpleasant and arousing odor/scene'); no specific stimulus was mentioned in the instruction. RESULTS: The approach used elicited imagery with autobiographical content in the majority of participants (78%). In terms of frequency, odor imagery, compared to visual imagery, turned out to be more effective at retrieving either unpleasant memories associated with experiences in adulthood, or pleasant childhood memories. In terms of quality, the imagery was rated as less vivid in the olfactory compared to the visual condition (irrespective of valence and arousal of the imagery instruction). Visual imagery was associated with the experience of more diverse emotions (happiness, sadness, anxiety, anger) than odor imagery, which was related primarily with disgust and happiness. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that nonspecific imagery induction is a useful approach in accessing AM. IMPLICATION: This approach presents promising clinical applications, such as in working with autobiographical memory narratives in psychotherapy.

Temporal dynamics of mental imagery, craving and consumption of craved foods: an experience sampling study.

Objective: According to the elaborated intrusion theory of desire, an initial thought about a wanted substance is elaborated with mental imagery, which increases craving and the probability of consuming the substance. We used an app-assisted experience sampling approach to test this theory in the context of food craving and eating.Design: Overall, 221 females (mean age = 21 years; mean body mass index = 22) reported craving, mental imagery, and food consumption six times per day (2 h intervals) for seven consecutive days. Additionally, two traits (general food craving and imagery ability) were assessed.Main outcome measures: craving intensity, food consumption.Results: The probability of eating a craved food increased if the vividness of the mental food image and craving intensity increased two hours before - independent of trait food craving and trait imagery ability. We also found evidence of controlled eating behavior, with participants consuming the food they craved in only 38% of the cases.Conclusion: Mental imagery vividness and craving intensity predict consumption of craved food. The association between craving and eating might be stronger in individuals who struggle with controlling their eating behavior. Therefore, future studies should examine these relationships in overweight/obese samples or patients with eating disorders.

Social reward from giving food to others affects food craving and brain potentials: An imagery-based event-related potential study.

The interactions between social and eating behaviors can be quite pronounced and are mediated by overlapping neural circuits. The present event-related potential study tested whether the imagery of a specific prosocial behavior (giving chocolates to grateful children) can influence food cue reactivity. A total of 92 females (mean age = 23.5 years) were randomly assigned to one of three guided imagery conditions. The participants listened to an audio recording and were instructed to imagine one of three possible scenes; giving 30 M&Ms to children, eating 30 M&Ms, or sorting 30 marbles. Directly after the imagery task, the participants were presented with images of M&Ms and marbles while their electroencephalogram was recorded. We examined the Late Positive Potential (LPP) across a fronto-central and a parieto-occipital cluster, M&M craving, and subsequent consumption of (real) M&Ms. The mental imagery of offering M&Ms to children was associated with lower M&M craving and higher fronto-central LPP amplitudes (300-600 ms after picture onset) compared to the other imagery conditions. The consumption of M&Ms did not differ between the groups. The LPP is sensitive to the implementation of craving regulation strategies. Furthermore, heightened LPPs are reliably observed in response to motivationally significant stimuli, conflict, and social context. Future studies are needed to specify the specific psychological processes that are associated with the observed LPP effect. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that mental imagery of receiving a social reward from giving food to others can change components of food cue reactivity in healthy females.

Changing the visualization of food to reduce food cue reactivity: An event-related potential study.

Visual food cues automatically capture our attention. Moreover, food cue exposure is associated with an increased desire to eat (craving) and food consumption. We attempted to reduce the attentional bias to images depicting a specific food (M&Ms), craving, and consumption through mental imagery in a sample of 98 females (mean age = 23.82 years). The participants either listened to a guided imagery script that described the crushing of M&Ms to reduce the appetitive value of the chocolates, or they envisioned the sorting of M&Ms, or marbles (as control conditions). Afterward, participants were presented with images of M&Ms (not crushed) and marbles while their electroencephalogram, craving ratings, and M&M consumption were measured. The visualization of crushing M&Ms was associated with increased early (P200) and late positivity (P300, early LPP) to M&M pictures, which indicate automatic (P200/P300) and deliberate attention (LPP). M&M sorting increased craving but did not influence M&M consumption. Our findings show that imaginary M&M crushing cannot reduce attention to M&M images and even has the opposite of the intended effect.

A randomized controlled trial to improve psychological detachment from work and well-being among employees: a study protocol comparing online CBT-based and mindfulness interventions.

BACKGROUND: The changing landscape of the work environment, which often encompasses expectations of employees being continuously available, makes it difficult to disengage from work and recover. This can have a negative impact on employees' well-being, resulting in burnout, depression and anxiety, among other difficulties. The current study will test the effectiveness of two different online interventions (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy; CBT and mindfulness-based stress reduction; MBSR) on employees' psychological detachment, burnout and other variables related to general (e.g., life satisfaction) and work-specific (e.g., work engagement) well-being. METHODS/DESIGN: The study is designed as a randomized control trial with two intervention groups (i.e., CBT, MBSR) and a waitlist control group. Participants will be full-time employees from a wide range of organizations from Slovenia, who report moderate difficulties with psychological detachment from work and burnout and are not receiving any other form of treatment. The online interventions will encompass 12 sessions over 6 weeks (2 sessions per week); each session will include 1) an active audio-guided session and 2) home assignments, accompanied by handouts and worksheets. The study outcomes (i.e., psychological detachment, burnout, general and work-specific well-being), potential mechanisms (i.e., work-related maladaptive thinking patterns, mindfulness) and moderators (e.g., supervisor support for recovery) will be assessed immediately before and after the interventions (pre and post measurement) and 3 months after intervention completion (follow-up). Additionally, participants will fill out questionnaires for the assessment of the central mechanisms and study outcomes each week. DISCUSSION: We expect that the CBT-based intervention will lead to greater improvements in psychological detachment from work and burnout compared to the MBSR and the waitlist control group. Additionally, we expect that the CBT-based intervention will also lead to greater enhancement of both general and work-related well-being. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN98347361 [May 19, 2020].

The effects of imaginary eating on visual food cue reactivity: An event-related potential study.

Previous research has demonstrated that imagining consumption of a specific type of food helps individuals to consume less of that food. The present event-related potential study aimed at investigating the underlying neural correlates of this appetite-reducing strategy. A total of 86 women (mean age = 23.65 years) were randomly assigned to one of three imagination conditions. In each condition, they listened to a guided imagery script that either described the eating of 30 colorful button-shaped chocolates (M&Ms), the sorting of 30 M&Ms by color, or the sorting of 30 marbles by color. Subsequently to the imagery task, the participants were presented with images of M&Ms and marbles while their electroencephalogram and craving ratings were recorded. The results showed that imaginary eating did not reduce the appetitive value of M&M pictures. The M&M sorting group reported enhanced craving and showed increased late positivity toward M&M pictures (300-600 ms after picture onset) compared to the two other groups. The present findings indicate that the imagined handling of food increases food cue reactivity and that imaginary eating is not a reliable method to reduce appetite.