A mechanism-based digital intervention for alexithymia: Design, development, and validation of a multi-modal approach.

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Citation abstract

OBJECTIVE: Alexithymia, characterized by difficulty identifying and describing feelings, coupled with an externally-oriented thinking style, is a transdiagnostic trait associated with various disorders. Despite its prevalence, targeted interventions remain limited. This study developed a digital intervention tool for alexithymia based on an affective process framework and evaluated its effectiveness in improving alexithymic symptoms through a randomized controlled trial, thereby filling a gap in the existing study.

METHODS: Functional impairments were analyzed across four key stages of emotional processing, leading to the identification of core components: attention bias modification (ABM), mindfulness training, vocabulary training, and expressive writing exercises. A user-friendly digital tool incorporating these elements was designed and tested.

RESULTS: A randomized controlled trial (n = 47, TAS-20 ≥ 61) demonstrated that the experimental group experienced a significant reduction in TAS-20 scores compared to the control group. Furthermore, improvements were observed in measures of depression, anxiety, stress, mindfulness, emotional differentiation, and overall emotional processing. Importantly, improvements in emotional well-being were correlated with engagement in the training process, and user evaluations of the program were highly positive.

CONCLUSION: These results support the efficacy of the digital intervention in enhancing emotional abilities and mitigating alexithymia, offering a scalable and accessible solution for individuals struggling with this condition.