Changing negative core beliefs with trial-based thought record

Authors

  • Thaís R. Delavechia Federal University of Bahia; Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health
  • Michella L. Velasquez Federal University of Bahia; Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health
  • Érica P. Duran University of São Paulo; School of Medicine; Institute and Department of Psychiatry
  • Lina S. Matsumoto University of São Paulo; School of Medicine; Institute and Department of Psychiatry
  • Irismar Reis de Oliveira Federal University of Bahia; Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000078

Abstract

Background Trial-based thought record (TBTR) is a technique used in trial-based cognitive therapy (TBCT), and simulates a court trial. It was designed to restructure unhelpful core beliefs (CBs) during psychotherapy. Objective To confirm previous findings on the efficacy of TBTR in decreasing patients’ adherence to self-critical and unhelpful CBs and corresponding emotions, as well as assessing the differential efficacy of the empty-chair approach relative to the static format of TBTR. Methods Thirty-nine outpatients were submitted to a 50-minute, one-session, application of the TBTR technique in the empty-chair (n = 18) or conventional (n = 21) formats. Patients’ adherence to unhelpful CBs and the intensity of corresponding emotions were assessed after each step of TBTR, and the results obtained in each format were compared. Results Significant reductions in percent values both in the credit given to CBs and in the intensity of corresponding emotions were observed at the end of the session (p < .001), relative to baseline values. ANCOVA also showed a significant difference in favor of the empty-chair format for both belief credit and emotion intensity (p = .04). Discussion TBTR may help patients reduce adherence to unhelpful CBs and corresponding emotions and the empty-chair format seems to be more efficacious than the conventional format.

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Published

2016-04-01

Issue

Section

Brief Report

How to Cite

Changing negative core beliefs with trial-based thought record . (2016). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 43(2), 31-33. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000078