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Emotional Working Memory Training Improves Cognitive Inhibitory Abilities in Individuals With Borderline Personality Trait: A Randomized Parallel-Group Trial Publisher Pubmed



Basharpoor S1 ; Zakibakhsh Mohammadi N1 ; Heidari F1 ; Azarkolah A2, 3 ; Vicario CM4 ; Salehinejad MA5
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
  2. 2. Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Atieh Clinical Neuroscience Center, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
  5. 5. Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany

Source: Journal of Affective Disorders Published:2022


Abstract

Background: Cognitive inhibition impairment is one of the causes of impulsive behaviors in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study aimed to investigate the effect of emotional working memory training (EWMT) on cognitive inhibition in individuals with a clinically significant borderline personality trait. Methods: In a randomized, parallel-group trial, 40 individuals with borderline personality trait, were selected out of 1000 screened individuals and were randomly assigned to the experimental (N = 20) and waiting-list control (N = 20) groups based on the score on the Borderline Personality Scale and the follow-up Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders. The experimental group underwent 10 sessions of EWMT and the control group did not receive any intervention (waiting list). Participants completed the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) and Go/No-Go task Before and after the intervention. Results: EWMT significantly reduced reaction time of incongruent trials in the SCWT and commission errors in the Go/No-Go task after the intervention only in the experimental group. Furthermore, the interference score in SCWT and commission error rate at the post-intervention time were significantly lower for the experimental vs the waitlist group. Limitations: The single-blind design and absence of follow-up measures. Conclusions: EWMT can improve cognitive inhibition in individuals with borderline personality trait and could be used for therapeutic purposes of impulsivity behavior in BPD. © 2022