Cognitive reappraisal as a component of process-based misophonia treatment: a mixed-methods pilot study of feasibility, acceptability and initial outcomes

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dc.abstract.enObjective: Misophonia is a subtype of decreased sound tolerance associated with significant distress and reduced quality of life. Although no evidence-based treatments exist specifically for misophonia, cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) show promise. Cognitive reappraisal (CR), a core transdiagnostic CBT intervention, is frequently used in experimental studies, however, its effects on misophonia in ecologically valid conditions remain untested. Similarly, the needs and perspectives of individuals with misophonia regarding treatment are underexplored. This study developed and evaluated a CR protocol tailored for misophonia, assessing feasibility, acceptability and satisfaction, as well as preliminary assessment of the intervention outcomes through an uncontrolled quantitative as well as qualitative design.Methods: The intervention included a 90-minute group session and three 30-minute individual online sessions over four weeks. Adults (N = 23) were recruited using structured interviews. Misophonia symptoms were assessed at two pre-treatment time points and post-treatment. Semi-structured group interviews explored participants’ experiences.Results: No significant changes were observed between the two pre-treatment assessments in three of the five symptom subscales, partially confirming baseline symptom stability. In contrast, a significant post-treatment reduction in externalizing responses to misophonia triggers was observed (Estimate = -8.47, SE = 2.32, t(42.45) = -3.65, p < 0.001), with similar improvements across other S-Five subscales. Qualitative data highlighted feelings of isolation, appreciation for the group format, and a need for more individualized support.Conclusion: CR shows promise as a component of misophonia treatment that warrants further controlled evaluation. The participant’s feedback highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to individual needs and patient perspectives.
dc.affiliationWydział Psychologii w Warszawie
dc.contributor.authorSiepsiak, Marta
dc.contributor.authorŚliwerski, Andrzej
dc.contributor.authorTurek-Wojnarowicz, Anna
dc.contributor.authorAraszkiewicz, Weronika
dc.contributor.authorGambin, Małgorzata
dc.contributor.authorRosenthal, Mark Zachary
dc.date.access2026-06-24
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-08T07:02:49Z
dc.date.available2026-07-08T07:02:49Z
dc.date.created2026-07-05
dc.date.issued2026-06-24
dc.description.abstract<jats:sec> <jats:title>Objective</jats:title> <jats:p>Misophonia is a subtype of decreased sound tolerance associated with significant distress and reduced quality of life. Although no evidence-based treatments exist specifically for misophonia, cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) show promise. Cognitive reappraisal (CR), a core transdiagnostic CBT intervention, is frequently used in experimental studies, however, its effects on misophonia in ecologically valid conditions remain untested. Similarly, the needs and perspectives of individuals with misophonia regarding treatment are underexplored. This study developed and evaluated a CR protocol tailored for misophonia, assessing feasibility, acceptability and satisfaction, as well as preliminary assessment of the intervention outcomes through an uncontrolled quantitative as well as qualitative design.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p> The intervention included a 90-minute group session and three 30-minute individual online sessions over four weeks. Adults ( <jats:italic>N</jats:italic> = 23) were recruited using structured interviews. Misophonia symptoms were assessed at two pre-treatment time points and post-treatment. Semi-structured group interviews explored participants’ experiences. </jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p> No significant changes were observed between the two pre-treatment assessments in three of the five symptom subscales, partially confirming baseline symptom stability. In contrast, a significant post-treatment reduction in externalizing responses to misophonia triggers was observed ( <jats:italic>Estimate</jats:italic>  = -8.47, SE = 2.32, <jats:italic>t</jats:italic> (42.45) = -3.65, <jats:italic>p</jats:italic> &amp;lt; 0.001), with similar improvements across other S-Five subscales. Qualitative data highlighted feelings of isolation, appreciation for the group format, and a need for more individualized support. </jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title> <jats:p>CR shows promise as a component of misophonia treatment that warrants further controlled evaluation. The participant’s feedback highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to individual needs and patient perspectives.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
dc.description.accesstimeat_publication
dc.description.physical1-18
dc.description.sdgGoodHealthAndWellBeing
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume17
dc.identifier.doi10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1744882
dc.identifier.issn1664-0640
dc.identifier.urihttps://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2451
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1744882/full
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationpsychologia
dc.rightsCC-BY
dc.rights.questionYes_rights
dc.share.articleOPEN_JOURNAL
dc.subject.encognitive reappraisal
dc.subject.endecreased sound tolerance
dc.subject.enfeasibility & acceptability
dc.subject.enmisophonia
dc.subject.enpilot study
dc.subject.enprocess-based treatment
dc.subject.enpsychological intervention
dc.subject.enpsychotherapy
dc.swps.sciencecloudsend
dc.titleCognitive reappraisal as a component of process-based misophonia treatment: a mixed-methods pilot study of feasibility, acceptability and initial outcomes
dc.title.journalFrontiers in Psychiatry
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typeArticle