Pilot Feasibility and Acceptability of a Spanish Translation of Web-Based Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretation Among Spanish-Speaking Latinx Individuals With Anxiety
Year: 2023
Type: preprint
Abstract: Digital mental health interventions may be a critical tool to help fill the substantial need for low-cost, effective mental health supports among Spanish-speaking Latinx individuals. In this study, feedback from focus groups with Spanish-speaking Latinx adults with anxiety was used to develop a two-session, Spanish-translated web-based interpretation bias modification intervention with surface-level cultural adaptations (called MindTrails-Spanish). A pilot trial was then conducted to evaluate the feasibility (i.e., rates of adherence and clinical deterioration), acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of MindTrails-Spanish in an online sample of Spanish-speaking, Latinx adults with a history of anxiety. Bilingual English/Spanish-speaking adults were randomized to receive an invitation for either the standard English version of MindTrails (MindTrails-English) or the Spanish version of MindTrails (MindTrails-Spanish-Bilingual). Separately, monolingual Spanish-speaking adults were allocated to receive an invitation for the Spanish version (MindTrails-Spanish-Monolingual). Enrolled participants (N=21) were asked to complete one MindTrails session per week for two weeks, and assessment measures at pre- and post-intervention to assess changes in positive interpretation bias, negative interpretation bias, anxiety symptoms (using two separate measures), and perceptions of MindTrails. Results were compared to a priori benchmarks of clinically meaningful outcomes. All three conditions met benchmarks for feasibility and primary acceptability indicators. The MindTrails-Spanish-Bilingual condition met benchmarks for improvements in all four intervention outcomes, whereas the MindTrails-Spanish-Monolingual condition met benchmarks for two (negative interpretation bias and one of the two anxiety measures). Qualitative feedback from participants highlighted their positive experiences with the program and provided actionable suggestions for ways to improve the program’s accessibility and cultural relevance. Findings support the feasibility and acceptability of MindTrails-Spanish with Spanish-speaking Latinx adults. A larger randomized controlled trial is needed to investigate whether Spanish translation and cultural adaptation can improve adherence and intervention outcomes in this population.
Authors: Alexandra Lee Silverman, Angel F. Vela de la Garza Evia, Max A Larrazabal, Liza Khutsisvili, Mehdi Boukhechba, Laura Barnes, Bethany Teachman
Institutions: Harvard University, McLean Hospital, University of Virginia
Language: English
Subfield: Applied Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4386572664