The Effectiveness of Cognitive-behavioral Therapy on Anger in Female Students with Misophonia: A Single-Case Study.

Background: Misophonia is an unpleasant condition, in which the feeling of excessive anger is triggered by specific sounds. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on anger in female students with misophonia. Methods: A study based on a non-concurrent multiple baseline design was conducted in 2018 at the School of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran. Three female students aged 20-22 years were recruited using the multi-stage random sampling method. The study was conducted in three stages, namely baseline, intervention, and follow-up sessions. The Novaco anger questionnaire was used during the baseline sessions, intervention sessions (sessions three, six, and eight), and six weeks follow-up (two, four, and six weeks after the last intervention session). Data were analyzed using visual analysis, reliability change index (RCI), and recovery percentage formula. Results: CBT reduced the feeling of anger after the intervention and follow-up sessions. The recovery percentage at the end of the intervention sessions were 43.82, 42.28, and 9.09 for the first, second, and third participants, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the present study confirm the effectiveness of CBT in reducing the feeling of anger in female students with misophonia.

Effectiveness of an anger control program among veterans with PTSD and other mental health issues: A comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the effectiveness of an anger management program among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues. METHOD: Veterans with (n = 76) and without (n = 58) PTSD completed anger management groups at the Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Self-rated checklists of anger and PTSD symptoms (for those with PTSD) were completed before and after the group. RESULTS: Significant improvement in anger was observed in the overall sample (p < .001) but did not differ based on PTSD diagnosis. No significant PTSD symptom changes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans with broad mental health concerns benefited significantly from this anger management program, consistent with prior research. Implications for program improvement and future research are discussed.

Effectiveness of an Anger Intervention for Military Members with PTSD: A Clinical Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: Problematic anger is a significant clinical issue in military personnel, and is further complicated by comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite increasing numbers of military personnel returning from deployment with anger and aggression difficulties, the treatment of problematic anger has received scant attention. There are currently no interventions that directly target problematic anger in the context of military-related PTSD. The aim of this case series is to examine the effectiveness of an intervention specifically developed for treating problematic anger in current serving military personnel with comorbid PTSD. METHODS: Eight Australian Defence Force Army personnel with problematic anger and comorbid PTSD received a manualized 12-session cognitive behaviorally based anger intervention, delivered one-to-one by Australian Defence Force mental health clinicians. Standardized measures of anger, PTSD, depression, and anxiety were administered pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: The initial mean severity scores for anger indicated a high degree of pre-treatment problematic anger. Anger scores reduced significantly from pre to post-treatment (d = 1.56), with 88% of participants exhibiting meaningful reduction in anger scores. PTSD symptoms also reduced significantly (d = 0.96), with 63% of participants experiencing a clinically meaningful reduction in PTSD scores. All of those who took part in the therapy completed all therapy sessions. CONCLUSIONS: This brief report provides preliminary evidence that an intervention for problematic anger not only significantly reduces anger levels in military personnel, but can also significantly reduce PTSD symptoms. Given that anger can interfere with PTSD treatment outcomes, prioritizing anger treatment may improve the effectiveness of PTSD interventions.

Using a Mobile Application in the Treatment of Dysregulated Anger Among Veterans.

OBJECTIVE: Anger is a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) associated with a range of clinical and functional impairments, and may be especially prevalent among veterans with PTSD. Effective anger management therapies exist but may be undermined by poor engagement or lack of treatment availability. Finding ways to engage veterans in anger management therapy or to improve access can be helpful in improving clinical outcomes. This randomized controlled trial compared anger management treatment (AMT) with AMT augmented by a mobile application (app) system, Remote Exercises for Learning Anger and Excitation Management (RELAX). METHODS: Participants were 58 veterans enrolled in 12 sessions of either AMT alone or AMT with the RELAX system (AMT + RELAX). The RELAX system includes the RELAX app, a wearable heart rate monitor, a remote server, and a web-based therapist interface. RELAX allows the user to practice skills, monitor symptoms, and record physiological data. The server collects data on app use. A web-based interface allows the therapist to access data on between-session practice, and skills use. Measures administered at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-and 6-month follow-up include state and trait anger, dimensions of anger, PTSD, depression, interpersonal functioning, and satisfaction. We used multilevel modeling to account for the nesting of time points within participants and participants within treatment groups. Predictors were Treatment Condition (AMT + RELAX and AMT), Linear Time (baseline, post-treatment, 3-and 6-month follow-up), and Quadratic Time and Treatment Condition × Linear Time interaction. All analyses were conducted using SPSS 21 (Armonk, New York). Approval was obtained from the institutional review board. RESULTS: Across groups, the treatment dropout rate was 13.8%; of those who remained in treatment, 90% received an adequate dose of treatment (10 or more sessions). There were no significant differences between groups on attendance or treatment completion. Participants in both treatments demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in anger severity and significant post-treatment reductions in PTSD. Veterans did not report significant changes in depression or interpersonal functioning. Veterans in the AMT + RELAX group reported spending significantly less time on homework assignments, and they rated the AMT + RELAX app as helpful and easy to use, with these ratings improving over time. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that AMT + RELAX was beneficial in reducing anger symptoms and promoting efficient use of the between-session practice; however, AMT + RELAX did not outperform AMT. This study is an important contribution as it is one of the first randomized controlled trials to study the efficacy of a technology-enhanced, evidence-based psychotherapy for anger management. Findings are limited because of small sample size and modifications to the technology during the trial. However, the results highlight the possible benefits of mobile app-supported treatment, including increasing the accessibility of treatment, lowering therapist workload, reducing costs of treatment, reducing practice time, and enabling new activities and types of treatments. This study presents preliminary evidence that mobile apps can be a valuable addition to treatment for patients with anger difficulties. Future research should evaluate how much therapist involvement is needed to support anger management.