The effect of mode specific treatment on anxiety : an analogue study

The present study examined Davidson and Schwartz's (1976) model of multi modal anxiety and treatment. Initially various theoretical conceptions of anxiety, were reviewed. This was followed by an outline of multi modal conceptions of anxiety and relaxation. Davidson and Schwartz's model was presented in some detail. The thesis of these authors derives from the assumption that anxiety can be divided into two relatively independent modes: cognitive and somatic. The therapeutic corollary of this conception of anxiety is that persons manifesting the phenomenon in a particular mode would gain maximum relief if they received treatment which induced further activation of a neutral nature in that mode. Additionally the model holds that mode specific activation also reduces unwanted activity in other modes, albeit to a lesser extent. These propositions were tested using the following experimental design. Two groups of female subjects were selected on the basis of the predominant mode in which they manifested their anxiety: cognitive or somatic. Each group was then further partitioned on the basis of the treatment applied. Equal numbers of cognitive and somatic subjects were allocated to cognitive treatment, somatic treatment, and no treatment (control) conditions. Data from the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, and three physiological response measures: skin conductance; finger blood volume; and finger pulse amplitude were interpreted as providing support for Davidson and Schwartz's (1976) treatment specificity thesis. The somatic technique used in this study was found to be particularly effective in reducing somatic anxiety. In conclusion, possible directions of future research and the implications of this study's findings for clinical treatment of anxiety were discussed.