Exploring the current state of clinical and practical teaching in obstetrics and gynecology in the era of competency-based education: a nationwide survey among German teaching coordinators.

BACKGROUND: Obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) is an essential medical field that focuses on women's health. Universities aim to provide high-quality healthcare services to women through comprehensive education of medical students. In Germany, medical education is undergoing a phase of restructuring towards the implementation of competency-based learning. The objective of the current survey was to gain insights into the teaching methods, resources, and challenges at German medical universities in the field OB/GYN. This aims to document the current state of medical education and derive potential suggestions for improvements in the era of competency-based learning. The survey was conducted with teaching coordinators from the majority of OB/GYN departments at German universities. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to the teaching coordinators in all 41 OB/GYN departments at German university hospitals. The survey was delivered via email with a link to an online survey platform. RESULTS: The study received 30 responses from 41 universities. Differences were observed in the work environment of teaching coordinators concerning release from clinical duties for teaching purposes and specialized academic training. Overall, medical education and student motivation were perceived positively, with noticeable gaps, particularly in practical gynecological training. Deficiencies in supervision and feedback mechanisms were also evident. Subfields such as urogynecology and reproductive medicine appear to be underrepresented in the curriculum, correlating with poorer student performance. E-learning was widely utilized and considered advantageous. CONCLUSION: The present study provides valuable insights into the current state of medical education in OB/GYN at German universities from the perspective of teaching experts. We highlight current deficits, discuss approaches to overcome present obstacles, and provide suggestions for improvement.

ChatGPT's performance in German OB/GYN exams - paving the way for AI-enhanced medical education and clinical practice.

Background: Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is an artificial learning and large language model tool developed by OpenAI in 2022. It utilizes deep learning algorithms to process natural language and generate responses, which renders it suitable for conversational interfaces. ChatGPT's potential to transform medical education and clinical practice is currently being explored, but its capabilities and limitations in this domain remain incompletely investigated. The present study aimed to assess ChatGPT's performance in medical knowledge competency for problem assessment in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN). Methods: Two datasets were established for analysis: questions (1) from OB/GYN course exams at a German university hospital and (2) from the German medical state licensing exams. In order to assess ChatGPT's performance, questions were entered into the chat interface, and responses were documented. A quantitative analysis compared ChatGPT's accuracy with that of medical students for different levels of difficulty and types of questions. Additionally, a qualitative analysis assessed the quality of ChatGPT's responses regarding ease of understanding, conciseness, accuracy, completeness, and relevance. Non-obvious insights generated by ChatGPT were evaluated, and a density index of insights was established in order to quantify the tool's ability to provide students with relevant and concise medical knowledge. Results: ChatGPT demonstrated consistent and comparable performance across both datasets. It provided correct responses at a rate comparable with that of medical students, thereby indicating its ability to handle a diverse spectrum of questions ranging from general knowledge to complex clinical case presentations. The tool's accuracy was partly affected by question difficulty in the medical state exam dataset. Our qualitative assessment revealed that ChatGPT provided mostly accurate, complete, and relevant answers. ChatGPT additionally provided many non-obvious insights, especially in correctly answered questions, which indicates its potential for enhancing autonomous medical learning. Conclusion: ChatGPT has promise as a supplementary tool in medical education and clinical practice. Its ability to provide accurate and insightful responses showcases its adaptability to complex clinical scenarios. As AI technologies continue to evolve, ChatGPT and similar tools may contribute to more efficient and personalized learning experiences and assistance for health care providers.

Efficacy of Cognitive Therapy for Body Dysmorphic Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

Dysfunctional cognitive processes and maladaptive interpersonal patterns have been postulated to maintain body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). The present trial evaluated CT for BDD (CT-BDD), which includes modules targeting maladaptive cognitive processing in BDD, as well as elements of schema therapy related to interpersonal problems. We investigated whether (a) CT-BDD is effective, as compared with a wait-list (WL) group at Week 12; (b) outcome of CT-BDD is maintained at posttreatment and 3- and 6-months follow-up; and (c) whether changes in shame and insight mediate changes in BDD symptom severity. Forty adults with BDD were randomized to 36 weeks immediate CT-BDD (n = 21), or to 12-week WL (n = 19). At Week 12, immediate CT-BDD was significantly superior to WL in clinician-rated BDD symptom severity, insight, self-reported BDD symptoms, shame, depression, general symptomatology, and life satisfaction. Changes in outcomes were associated with moderate to large effect sizes at Week 12. Reductions in shame and increase in insight separately mediated changes in BDD symptom severity during treatment at Week 12. From baseline to posttreatment, significant improvements occurred within CT-BDD in clinician-rated symptom severity, insight, depression, global functioning, self-reported BDD symptoms, shame, depression, general symptomatology, and life satisfaction. At posttreatment, improvements were associated with large effect sizes and were maintained at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Preliminary results support the efficacy of CT-BDD. Addressing interpersonal problems in addition to cognitive dysfunctions may increase the benefit of CBT for BDD patients.

Epitaxial Growth of Crystalline CaF2 on Silicene.

Silicene is one of the most promising two-dimensional (2D) materials for the realization of next-generation electronic devices, owing to its high carrier mobility and band gap tunability. To fully control its electronic properties, an external electric field needs to be applied perpendicularly to the 2D lattice, thus requiring the deposition of an insulating layer that directly interfaces silicene, without perturbing its bidimensional nature. A promising material candidate is CaF2, which is known to form a quasi van der Waals interface with 2D materials as well as to maintain its insulating properties even at ultrathin scales. Here we investigate the epitaxial growth of thin CaF2 layers on different silicene phases by means of molecular beam epitaxy. Through electron diffraction images, we clearly show that CaF2 can be grown epitaxially on silicene even at low temperatures, with its domains fully aligned to the lattice of the underlying 2D structure. Moreover, in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data evidence that, upon CaF2 deposition, no changes in the chemical state of the silicon atoms can be detected, proving that no Si-Ca or Si-F bonds are formed. This clearly shows that the 2D layer is pristinely preserved underneath the insulating layer. Polarized Raman experiments show that silicene undergoes a structural change upon interaction with CaF2; however, it retains its two-dimensional character without transitioning to a sp3-hybridized silicon. For the first time, we have shown that CaF2 and silicene can be successfully interfaced, paving the way for the integration of silicon-based 2D materials in functional devices.

Optical Signatures of Dirac Electrodynamics for hBN-Passivated Silicene on Au(111).

The allotropic affinity for bulk silicon and unique electronic and optical properties make silicene a promising candidate for future high-performance devices compatible with mature complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology. However, silicene's outstanding properties are not preserved on its most prominent growth templates, due to strong substrate interactions and hybridization effects. In this letter, we report the optical properties of silicene epitaxially grown on Au(111). A novel in situ passivation methodology with few-layer hexagonal boron nitride enables detailed ex situ characterization at ambient conditions via µ-Raman spectroscopy and reflectance measurements. The optical properties of silicene on Au(111) appeared to be in accordance with the characteristics predicted theoretically for freestanding silicene, allowing the conclusion that its prominent electronic properties are preserved. The absorption features are, however, modified by many-body effects induced by the Au substrate due to an increased screening of electron-hole interactions.

Highly Biaxially Strained Silicene on Au(111).

Many of graphene's remarkable properties arise from its linear dispersion of the electronic states, forming a Dirac cone at the K points of the Brillouin zone. Silicene, the 2D allotrope of silicon, is also predicted to show a similar electronic band structure, with the addition of a tunable bandgap, induced by spin-orbit coupling. Because of these outstanding electronic properties, silicene is considered as a promising building block for next-generation electronic devices. Recently, it has been shown that silicene grown on Au(111) still possesses a Dirac cone, despite the interaction with the substrate. Here, to fully characterize the structure of this 2D material, we investigate the vibrational spectrum of a monolayer silicene grown on Au(111) by polarized Raman spectroscopy. To enable a detailed ex situ investigation, we passivated the silicene on Au(111) by encapsulating it under few layers hBN or graphene flakes. The observed spectrum is characterized by vibrational modes that are strongly red-shifted with respect to the ones expected for freestanding silicene. By comparing low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) patterns and Raman results with first-principles calculations, we show that the vibrational modes indicate a highly (>7%) biaxially strained silicene phase.

An empirically derived recommendation for the classification of body dysmorphic disorder: Findings from structural equation modeling.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), together with its subtype muscle dysmorphia (MD), has been relocated from the Somatoform Disorders category in the DSM-IV to the newly created Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders category in the DSM-5. Both categorizations have been criticized, and an empirically derived classification of BDD is lacking. A community sample of N = 736 participants completed an online survey assessing different psychopathologies. Using a structural equation modeling approach, six theoretically derived models, which differed in their allocation of BDD symptoms to various factors (i.e. general psychopathology, somatoform, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, affective, body image, and BDD model) were tested in the full sample and in a restricted sample (n = 465) which indicated primary concerns other than shape and weight. Furthermore, measurement invariance across gender was examined. Of the six models, only the body image model showed a good fit (CFI = 0.972, RMSEA = 0.049, SRMR = 0.027, TLI = 0.959), and yielded better AIC and BIC indices than the competing models. Analyses in the restricted sample replicated these findings. Analyses of measurement invariance of the body image model showed partial metric invariance across gender. The findings suggest that a body image model provides the best fit for the classification of BDD and MD. This is in line with previous studies showing strong similarities between eating disorders and BDD, including MD. Measurement invariance across gender indicates a comparable presentation and comorbid structure of BDD in males and females, which also corresponds to the equal prevalence rates of BDD across gender.

Neural Correlates of Own- and Other-Face Perception in Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with one or more perceived flaws in one's own appearance. Previous studies provided evidence for deficits in configural and holistic processing in BDD. Preliminary evidence suggests abnormalities at an early stage of visual processing. The present study is the first examining early neurocognitive perception of the own face in BDD by using electroencephalography (EEG). We investigated the face inversion effect, in which inverted (upside-down) faces are disproportionately poorly processed compared to upright faces. This effect reflects a disruption of configural and holistic processing, and in consequence a preponderance of featural face processing. METHODS: We recorded face-sensitive event-related potentials (ERPs) in 16 BDD patients and 16 healthy controls, all unmedicated. Participants viewed upright and inverted (upside-down) images of their own face and an unfamiliar other face, each in two facial emotional expressions (neutral vs. smiling). We calculated the early ERP components P100, N170, P200, N250, and the late positive component (LPC), and compared amplitudes among both groups. RESULTS: In the early P100, no face inversion effects were found in both groups. In the N170, both groups exhibited the common face inversion effects, with significantly larger N170 amplitudes for inverted than upright faces. In the P200, both groups exhibited larger inversion effects to other (relative to own) faces, with larger P200 amplitudes for other upright than inverted faces. In the N250, no significant group differences were found in face processing. In the LPC, both groups exhibited larger inversion effects to other (relative to own) faces, with larger LPC amplitudes for other inverted than upright faces. These overall patterns appeared to be comparable for both groups. Smaller inversion effects to own (relative to other) faces were observed in none of these components in BDD, relative to controls. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest no evidence for abnormalities at all levels of early face processing in our observed sample of BDD patients. Further research should investigate the neural substrates underlying BDD symptomatology.

Silicene Passivation by Few-Layer Graphene.

The stabilization of silicene at ambient conditions is essential for its characterization, future processing, and device integration. Here, we demonstrate in situ encapsulation of silicene on Ag(111) by exfoliated few-layer graphene (FLG) flakes, allowing subsequent Raman analysis under ambient conditions. Raman spectroscopy measurements proved that FLG capping serves as an effective passivation, preventing degradation of silicene for up to 48 h. The acquired data are consistent with former in situ Raman measurements, showing two characteristic peaks, located at 216 and 515 cm-1. Polarization-dependent measurements allowed to identify the two modes as A and E, demonstrating that the symmetry properties of silicene are unaltered by the capping process.

[Negative Indicators in the Psychotherapeutic Process: Frequency and Relationship with Attachment Characteristics and Treatment Outcome among Patients with Social Anxiety Disorder]. / Negative Indikatoren im psychotherapeutischen Prozess: Häufigkeit und Zusammenhang mit Bindungsmerkmalen und Therapieerfolg bei Patienten mit sozialer Angststörung.

Within the SOPHO-Net-Project, mainly focusing on a randomized-controlled trial comparing short term cognitive and psychodynamic psychotherapy for social anxiety disorder, a subsample consisting of 88 patients from 3 of the 5 study sites was investigated to examine the relationship between outcome, initial attachment characteristics and negative indicators during the process. These negative indicators were assessed with the Vanderbilt Negative Indicators Scale which was applied to an early (3rd), a middle (9th) as well as a late therapy (22nd) session. The study shows that negative indicators as a whole were relatively rare with a higher frequency within the psychodynamic therapies for which a relationship between negative indicators and outcome could be found. Contrary to expectation, initial attachment characteristics were not related to negative indicators.

Changes of attachment characteristics during psychotherapy of patients with social anxiety disorder: Results from the SOPHO-Net trial.

OBJECTIVES: Within a randomized controlled trial contrasting the outcome of manualized cognitive-behavioral (CBT) and short term psychodynamic therapy (PDT) compared to a waiting list condition (the SOPHO-Net trial), we set out to test whether self-reported attachment characteristics change during the treatments and if these changes differ between treatments. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: 495 patients from the SOPHO-Net trial (54.5% female, mean age 35.2 years) who were randomized to either CBT, PDT or waiting list (WL) completed the partner-related revised Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire (ECR-R) before and after treatment and at 6 and 12 months follow-up. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) was administered at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6-month and 1-year follow-up. ECR-R scores were first compared to a representative healthy sample (n = 2508) in order to demonstrate that the clinical sample differed significantly from the non-clinical sample with respect to attachment anxiety and avoidance. RESULTS: LSAS scores correlated significantly with both ECR-R subscales. Post-therapy, patients treated with CBT revealed significant changes in attachment anxiety and avoidance whereas patients treated with PDT showed no significant changes. Changes between post-treatment and the two follow-ups were significant in both conditions, with minimal (insignificant) differences between treatments at the 12- month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The current study supports recent reviews of mostly naturalistic studies indicating changes in attachment as a result of psychotherapy. Although there were differences between conditions at the end of treatment, these largely disappeared during the follow-up period which is line with the other results of the SOPHO-NET trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Controlled-trials.com ISRCTN53517394.

On the context dependency of implicit self-esteem in social anxiety disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cognitive models assume that negative self-evaluations are automatically activated in individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) during social situations, increasing their individual level of anxiety. This study examined automatic self-evaluations (i.e., implicit self-esteem) and state anxiety in a group of individuals with SAD (n = 45) and a non-clinical comparison group (NC; n = 46). METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to either a speech condition with social threat induction (giving an impromptu speech) or to a no-speech condition without social threat induction. We measured implicit self-esteem with an Implicit Association Test (IAT). RESULTS: Implicit self-esteem differed significantly between SAD and NC groups under the speech condition but not under the no-speech condition. The SAD group showed lower implicit self-esteem than the NC group under the speech-condition. State anxiety was significantly higher under the speech condition than under the no-speech condition in the SAD group but not in the NC group. Mediation analyses supported the idea that for the SAD group, the effect of experimental condition on state anxiety was mediated by implicit self-esteem. LIMITATIONS: The causal relation between implicit self-esteem and state anxiety could not be determined. CONCLUSION: The findings corroborate hypotheses derived from cognitive models of SAD: Automatic self-evaluations were negatively biased in individuals with SAD facing social threat and showed an inverse relationship to levels of state anxiety. However, automatic self-evaluations in individuals with SAD can be unbiased (similar to NC) in situations without social threat.

Solvent-free on-surface synthesis of boroxine COF monolayers.

A protocol is proposed for the solvent-free on-surface synthesis of covalent organic framework monolayers by condensation of diboronic acids. Monomers are vapor-deposited and water is used for equilibrium regulation. Samples are characterized on progressively smaller length scales by light microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy.

Body dysmorphic concerns, social adaptation, and motivation for psychotherapeutic support in dermatological outpatients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dermatologists are increasingly confronted with patients affected by body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). BDD is characterized by excessive preoccupation with one or more perceived defect(s) or flaw(s) in physical appearance which are not observable or appear slight to others. So far, there have been only few studies examining the prevalence of BDD in dermatological outpatients. In addition, the need for psychotherapeutic support in dermatological outpatients with body dysmorphic concerns has not yet been systematically examined. The objective of the present study was therefore to investigate the frequency of body dysmorphic concerns as well as social adaptation and the need for psychotherapeutic support in the aforementioned patient group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 252 dermatological outpatients seen at a German university hospital were consecutively enrolled, and examined using the Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire, the Social Adaptation Self-Evaluation Scale, and the German version of the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale. RESULTS: 7.9 % of all outpatients (unselected sample) showed positive test results, suggesting clinically relevant body dysmorphic concerns. Patients with clinically relevant body dysmorphic concerns exhibited poor social adaptation. Contrary to expectations, these patients revealed a high motivation for change, indicating the necessity for psychotherapeutic support. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm previous prevalence rates of BDD in dermatological outpatients, and highlight the need for providing psychotherapeutic support to dermatological patients.

Körperdysmorphe Symptome, soziale Anpassung und Motivation zu psychotherapeutischer Beratung bei ambulanten dermatologischen Patienten.

HINTERGRUND UND ZIELE: Die Dermatologie ist zunehmend mit Patienten konfrontiert, die unter einer körperdysmorphen Störung (KDS) leiden. Die KDS ist gekennzeichnet durch die übermäßige Beschäftigung mit einem oder mehreren wahrgenommenen Defekten oder Makeln in der äußeren Erscheinung, die für andere nicht oder allenfalls minimal erkennbar sind. Bislang gibt es nur wenige Prävalenzstudien bei KDS im ambulanten dermatologischen Setting. Darüber hinaus wurde die Motivation zu psychotherapeutischer Beratung bei ambulanten dermatologischen Patienten mit körperdysmorphen Symptomen noch nicht systematisch erfasst. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war daher, die Häufigkeit körperdysmorpher Symptome, die soziale Anpassung sowie die Motivation zu psychotherapeutischer Beratung bei ambulanten dermatologischen Patienten zu untersuchen. PATIENTEN UND METHODIK: 252 ambulante Patienten einer Universitäts-Hautpoliklinik wurden konsekutiv rekrutiert und mittels Dysmorphic Concerns Questionnaire, Soziale Aktivität Selbstbeurteilungs-Skala sowie Veränderungsstadien-Skala untersucht. ERGEBNISSE: 7,9 % der unselektierten Gesamtstichprobe erzielten Testresultate, die auf klinisch relevante körperdysmorphe Symptome hinweisen. Patienten mit klinisch relevanten körperdysmorphen Symptomen wiesen eine geringe soziale Anpassung auf. Entgegen den Erwartungen zeigten sie eine hohe Veränderungsmotivation und Bedarf an Psychotherapie. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die bisherigen Prävalenzraten bei KDS im ambulanten dermatologischen Setting und verdeutlichen die Notwendigkeit psychotherapeutischer Beratungsangebote in der Dermatologie.

Social anxiety as a potential mediator of the association between attachment and depression.

OBJECTIVE: The study represents a conceptual replication of the study by Eng et al. (2001) in a sample of adult patients diagnosed with social anxiety disorder as primary diagnosis. METHODS: Two different attachment questionnaires (Bielefeld Questionnaire of Client Expectations (BQCE) and Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR-RD)) were applied to examine whether the effect of attachment on depression (measured by the BDI) is mediated by social anxiety (measured by the LSAS) in a cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The data confirms such a mediation. The effect of attachment measured with the BQCE on depression was completely mediated, whereas the effect of both scales of the ECR-RD (attachment related avoidance and anxiety) on depression was only partially mediated by social anxiety disorder. CONCLUSION: The study supports the association of attachment, social anxiety, and depressive symptoms and the need to consider different perspectives on attachment.

Seeing in the Mind's eye: Imagery rescripting for patients with body dysmorphic disorder. A single case series.

BACKGROUND: Intrusive images of appearance play an important role in the maintenance of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and are often linked to negative autobiographical experiences. However, to date there is no study examining the use and efficacy of imagery rescripting in BDD. METHOD: This study investigated imagery rescripting in six patients with BDD, using a single case series A-B design. The intervention consisted of two treatment sessions (T1, T2). BDD and depressive symptoms were evaluated prior to (T1), post (T2) and two weeks after intervention (FU), using the Yale -Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale for BDD (BDD-YBOCS), the Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Inventory, and the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: At post-treatment, significant reductions in negative affect, distress, vividness and encapsulated beliefs associated with images and memories as well as an increased control were observed for five of six patients. These were maintained or decreased at two weeks follow-up. Scores on the BDD-YBOCS indicated a significant 26% improvement in BDD severity at follow-up for the whole group. Considering response as a ≥ 30% reduction in BDD-YBOCS score, four of six patients were classified as treatment responders. At follow-up, significant improvements in BDD and depressive symptoms were observed for the whole group. LIMITATIONS: The small sample size and the lack of a control group limit the generalizability of our results. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate the potential efficacy of imagery rescripting, and highlight the need for further controlled trials. Imagery rescripting should be considered as a treatment technique within the cognitive framework of BDD.

Neural correlates of emotional interference in social anxiety disorder.

Disorder-relevant but task-unrelated stimuli impair cognitive performance in social anxiety disorder (SAD); however, time course and neural correlates of emotional interference are unknown. The present study investigated time course and neural basis of emotional interference in SAD using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Patients with SAD and healthy controls performed an emotional stroop task which allowed examining interference effects on the current and the succeeding trial. Reaction time data showed an emotional interference effect in the current trial, but not the succeeding trial, specifically in SAD. FMRI data showed greater activation in the left amygdala, bilateral insula, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and left opercular part of the inferior frontal gyrus during emotional interference of the current trial in SAD patients. Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between patients' interference scores and activation in the mPFC, dorsal ACC and left angular/supramarginal gyrus. Taken together, results indicate a network of brain regions comprising amygdala, insula, mPFC, ACC, and areas strongly involved in language processing during the processing of task-unrelated threat in SAD. However, specifically the activation in mPFC, dorsal ACC, and left angular/supramarginal gyrus is associated with the strength of the interference effect, suggesting a cognitive network model of attentional bias in SAD. This probably comprises exceeded allocation of attentional resources to disorder-related information of the presented stimuli and increased self-referential and semantic processing of threat words in SAD.

Long-term outcome of psychodynamic therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in social anxiety disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Relatively few studies have examined the long-term outcome of psychotherapy in social anxiety disorder. The authors previously reported findings of a clinical trial comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and a wait-list control. The purpose of the present study was to follow the participants' status over the ensuing 24 months. METHOD: Outpatients with social anxiety disorder who were treated with CBT (N=209) or psychodynamic therapy (N=207) in the previous trial were assessed 6, 12, and 24 months after the end of therapy. Primary outcome measures were rates of remission and response. RESULTS: For both CBT and psychodynamic therapy, response rates were approximately 70% by the 2-year follow-up. Remission rates were nearly 40% for both treatment conditions. Rates of response and remission were stable or tended to increase for both treatments over the 24-month follow-up period, and no significant differences were found between the treatment conditions after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: CBT and psychodynamic therapy were efficacious in treating social anxiety disorder, in both the short- and long-term, when patients showed continuous improvement. Although in the short-term, intention-to-treat analyses yielded some statistically significant but small differences in favor of CBT in several outcome measures, no differences in outcome were found in the long-term.

Brain activation during anticipatory anxiety in social anxiety disorder.

Exaggerated anticipatory anxiety during expectation of performance-related situations is an important feature of the psychopathology of social anxiety disorder (SAD). The neural basis of anticipatory anxiety in SAD has not been investigated in controlled studies. The current study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the neural correlates during the anticipation of public and evaluated speaking vs a control condition in 17 SAD patients and 17 healthy control subjects. FMRI results show increased activation of the insula and decreased activation of the ventral striatum in SAD patients, compared to control subjects during anticipation of a speech vs the control condition. In addition, an activation of the amygdala in SAD patients during the first half of the anticipation phase in the speech condition was observed. Finally, the amount of anticipatory anxiety of SAD patients was negatively correlated to the activation of the ventral striatum. This suggests an association between incentive function, motivation and anticipatory anxiety when SAD patients expect a performance situation.