SCORE 1: A Study on the Effectiveness of a Single-Session Intervention for Anxiety
Introduction
Anxiety is a common mental health issue that can have far-reaching implications for individuals’ mental, physical, and social well-being (Kessler, Berglund, Demler, Jin, & Walters, 2005). Many individuals struggle to manage anxiety on their own, and the current treatments for anxiety are often time-consuming and expensive (Keller, 2011). Therefore, there is a need for shorter, more cost-effective interventions. One such intervention is the SCORE 1 intervention, which is a single-session intervention designed to reduce anxiety symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the SCORE 1 intervention on reducing anxiety symptoms.
Method
Participants
The study included eight participants with a primary diagnosis of anxiety. Participants were recruited through community advertisements. Inclusion criteria for the study included age 18 or older, a diagnosis of anxiety, and the ability to speak and read English. Participants had to meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV-TR (DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) criteria for anxiety disorder and had to score at least 40 on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger, Gorsuch, & Lushene, 1970).
Design
The study used a single-group, pre-post design. Participants completed a set of questionnaires at baseline and immediately following the intervention.
Intervention
The SCORE 1 intervention was designed to reduce anxiety symptoms through cognitive restructuring, relaxation training, and problem-solving. It was a 90-minute session with a mental health professional. The intervention focused on exploring the current symptoms, identifying triggers and patterns, exploring coping skills, and developing a plan for managing anxiety.
Measures
The primary outcome measure was the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger et al., 1970). The STAI is a widely used self-report questionnaire that measures both state and trait anxiety. The STAI was completed at both baseline and post-intervention.
Results
The results of the study indicated that the SCORE 1 intervention was effective in reducing anxiety symptoms. Specifically, the mean score on the STAI decreased from 44.8 at baseline to 37.6 post-intervention, t(7) = 2.56, p