Change of Threat Expectancy as Mechanism of Exposure-Based Psychotherapy for Anxiety Disorders: Evidence From 8,484 Exposure Exercises of 605 Patients

Individual responses to behavioral treatment of anxiety disorders vary considerably, which requires a better understanding underlying processes. In this study, we examined the violation and change threat beliefs during exposure. From 8,484 standardized exposure records 605 patients with different disorders, learning indicators were derived: expectancy as mismatch between before occurrence, difference original adjusted after exposure, prediction-error rate extent transferred into change. Throughout sessions, high but low occurrence indicated successful by Expectancy violation, change, substantially varied patients. Not itself, higher predicted outcome. Successful thus induce actual supporting from prediction error transdiagnostic mechanism therapy.