Attentional bias modification in reducing test anxiety vulnerability: a randomized controlled trial

Wenpeng Cai,Huangyangzi Chai,Guanghui Deng,Jin Yan,Yi Cui,Yu Pan,Wei Dong

doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1517-6

Abstract

BackgroundA tendency to selectively process a threat to positive information may be involved in the etiology of anxiety disorders. The aim of this study is to examine whether attentional bias modification (ABM) can be used to modify high test-anxiety individuals’ attention to emotional information and whether this change is related to anxiety vulnerability.MethodsSeventy-seven undergraduates were included: 28 individuals received a 5-day modified dot probe task as ABM training, 29 individuals received a 5-day classic dot probe task as placebo, and 20 individuals did not receive an intervention between the two test sections. In addition to the measure of biased attention, salivary α-amylase (sAA) and the visual analogue scale of anxiety were assessed as emotional reactivity to stress.ResultsA repeated measurement of variance analysis and paired sample t-test indicated that the ABM group showed a significant change in attentional bias scores after the 5-day training, whereas there were no changes in the attentional bias scores in the placebo or waiting list groups. Importantly, anxiety vulnerability with attention to threats was significantly decreased in the training group.ConclusionsThese results suggest that attentional bias toward threat stimuli may play an important role in anxiety vulnerability. The attentional bias modification away from the threat is effective for the individuals preparing for an exam.Trial registrationThis trial was retrospectively registered on June 22, 2017 with the registration number ChiCTR-IOR-17011745 and the title ‘Attentional Bias in high anxiety individuals and its modification’.

Highlights

A tendency to selectively process a threat to positive information may be involved in the etiology of anxiety disorders
During an initial phone and Internet instant message tool screen, the participants were told that the researchers were testing a new computer program designed to help individuals, who were preparing for the following CET6, reduce test anxiety and develop healthy mental habits; the entire procedure, including the completion of the psychological scales and collection of saliva and computer behavioral data, would last one week
A 2 (Test: pre-training, posttraining) * 3 (Group: attentional bias modification (ABM), placebo, blank) repeated measurement of variance analysis was conducted on the attentional bias scores, with Group as a between-subject factor and Test as a within-subject factor

Summary

Introduction

A tendency to selectively process a threat to positive information may be involved in the etiology of anxiety disorders. The aim of this study is to examine whether attentional bias modification (ABM) can be used to modify high test-anxiety individuals’ attention to emotional information and whether this change is related to anxiety vulnerability. Studies in non-anxious populations indicate that systematic training to attend to threats can increase susceptibility to stress [4, 5]. Several researchers have managed to reduce the attentional bias in anxious individuals using computerized attention tasks in which participants are trained to avoid the threat [6,7,8]. A modified dot-probe task was used in these studies.

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