Investigating the efficacy of attentional bias modification on individuals with spider phobia through the emotional attention network test

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the attention network function of spider phobics before and after attentional bias modification (ABM) through conduction of an emotional attention network test (eANT). Scores from an eANT, an approach-avoidance task, and various scales were used to examine the training effect of a single ABM session among participants (30 individuals with spider phobia and 30 controls). At baseline, alertness scores in response to spider images were higher in the phobia group than in the control group (x̄ = 51.81 vs. 30.35 ms). After ABM, this score decreased in the phobia group, indicating their lower susceptibility to distraction by images of spiders. However, ABM training did not considerably alleviate their fear of and avoidance behavior toward spiders. This study elucidates the (1) vigilance-avoidance pattern among individuals with spider phobia when encountering spider-related stimuli and (2) change in underlying attentional mechanisms after ABM training.