AI-enhanced imagery rescripting for anxiety tied to critical childhood memories
Official title: Optimization of Late Imagery Rescripting Research Using Generative Artificial Intelligence
Run by University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw · NCT07565714 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether AI-generated personalized scripts that guide imagery rescripting help adults aged 18–35 with elevated generalized anxiety reduce emotional and physiological reactions to critical childhood memories.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Poznan, Wielkopolska and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 2026 |
| Study ends | July 2026 |
| Registry record updated | May 7, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07565714 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18–35 with a GAD-7 score of 8 or higher who can recall at least two childhood memories of parental criticism and who are not currently in psychotherapy or taking psychotropic medication are the intended participants.
✕Probably not a fit
Individuals with a history of prolonged physical or sexual abuse, a PTSD diagnosis, current psychotherapy or psychopharmacology, active substance abuse, or those outside the 18–35 age range are unlikely to be appropriate or to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
In this pilot randomized controlled trial, participants recall and describe critical and neutral childhood memories and researchers use a large language model (Gemini) to draft personalized autobiographical scripts that are reviewed and adjusted by trained experimenters. Participants are randomized to listen to critical memory scripts that either include a therapist-like imagery rescripting intervention or remain unmodified, while skin conductance is recorded continuously and self-reported emotional intensity is rated after each scenario. The protocol focuses on hotspot activation—presenting the most aversive memory fragment before rescripting—to replicate prior findings that hotspot activation can boost imagery rescripting effects. One week after the lab session participants complete follow-up questionnaires including the GAD-7 and measures of intrusive thought frequency.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a scalable, personalized method to reduce anxiety and intrusive memories by combining imagery rescripting with AI-generated therapeutic scripts.
How similar studies have gone: Imagery rescripting with hotspot activation has prior empirical support (e.g., Dibbets & Arntz, 2016), but using large language models to generate personalized ImRs scripts is novel and has limited prior testing.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-35 * Score ≥ 8 on GAD-7 (Plummer et al., 2016) * Ability to recall at least two childhood memories involving parental criticism Exclusion Criteria: * History of prolonged physical or sexual abuse * Current psychotherapy or psychopharmacology * PTSD diagnosis (DSM-5 screening) * Substance abuse (TAPS tool)
Where it's running
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SWPS University (University of Social Sciences and Humanities); Poznań Laboratory of Affective Neuroscience
Poznan, Wielkopolska, Poland Recruiting -
SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities; Poznań Laboratory of Affective Neuroscience
Poznan, Wielkopolska, Poland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Stanisław Karkosz, MA — SWPS University
- Study coordinator: Stanisław Karkosz, MA
- Email: skarkosz@swps.edu.pl
- Phone: +48 570 668 996
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.