AI-enhanced imagery rescripting for anxiety tied to critical childhood memories
Optimization of Late Imagery Rescripting Research Using Generative Artificial Intelligence
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Poznan, Wielkopolska and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07565714 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Poznan, Wielkopolska and 1 other locations
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.