Using functional magnetic resonance imaging in psychotherapy research: a brief introduction to concepts, methods, and task selection.

Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become an increasingly important methodology in the study of psychotherapy outcome and process. In this article, the authors offer a brief introduction to the use of fMRI in psychotherapy research aimed primarily at the informed clinician or investigator and with the goal of facilitating an understanding of study design and interpretation of research findings. After introducing the method and offering a rationale for its use in the study of psychotherapy, the authors outline major issues in fMRI data collection and analysis and emphasize the central role of the tasks used during the imaging session as critical to the interpretation of findings. They discuss how task selection influences the conclusions that can be drawn from fMRI studies of psychotherapeutic intervention and close with recommendations and caveats for the consumer of fMRI/psychotherapy research.