The Role of Aerobic Exercise as Interoceptive Exposure in a Brief Cognitive-Behavioural Treatment for Reducing Anxiety Sensitivity in University Women

Anxiety sensitivity (AS; fear of anxiety-related bodily sensations) has been identified as a risk factor for a number of psychiatric disorders, such as panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, hypochondriasis, and depression. AS has also been associated with lower levels of physical exercise and with chronic pain. It has been previously shown that a brief cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) including interoceptive exposure (i.e., exposure to feared bodily sensations) decreases AS. The proposed study will focus on the process through which a physical exercise interoceptive exposure (i.e., running) decreases AS. The study will follow participants through a 14-week period as they regularly perform the physical exercise component of the treatment, recording levels of cognitive (i.e. catastrophic thoughts), affective (i.e. anxious feelings), and somatic (i.e. subjective account of bodily sensations) reactions to the running, as well as changes in heart rate (i.e. objective physiological changes). It is anticipated that AS levels in high AS participants will decrease as a result of the treatment, replicating findings from previous studies. The study will further aim to elucidate whether decreases in AS levels are due to cognitive, affective, and/or physical fitness changes. Improved knowledge of the process through which novel treatments are effective in reducing AS in high AS populations is important in designing the best possible prevention-type interventions for these at-risk populations. Finally, the development of such a brief and cost-effective preventive measure that includes aerobic exercise as one of its key components provides a valuable contribution for public health.