Effects Of Attention Bias Modification Research Articles

Training Gains and Losses: Their Link with Treatment Effects of Attention Bias Modification for Anxiety

Training Gains and Losses: Their Link with Treatment Effects of Attention Bias Modification for Anxiety

The effect of attentional bias modification for depression is moderated by inhibitory control

The effect of attentional bias modification for depression is moderated by inhibitory control

Effects of attention bias modification for anxiety: Neurophysiological indices and moderation by symptom severity

ObjectiveAttention bias modification (ABM) aims to decrease anxiety symptom severity through the reduction of threat-related attention bias (AB). Individual differences in treatment response and poor measurement reliability of AB have called its clinical promise into question. The current study examined whether individual differences in anxiety severity at baseline moderated treatment response, and employed both behavioral and neurophysiological metrics of AB. MethodsParticipants (N = 99) were randomly assigned to four weeks of ABM or placebo control training (PT). Self-reported anxiety symptom severity, and AB metrics and ERPs generated during the dot probe task were collected at baseline (Time 1), one-week post-intervention (Time 5), and at a three-month follow-up (Time 6). ResultsABM, relative to PT, reduced ERPs indexing attention discrimination (N170) and increased ERPs indexing salience tracking (P3). Increases in P3 were associated with ABM-related reductions in anxiety. Anxiety severity was reduced following ABM, but only among those with higher baseline anxiety symptom severity. ConclusionsABM effectively reduced symptom severity among those with higher levels of anxiety, and modulated neurophysiological indices of AB. SignificanceResults provide evidence for attention-relevant ERPs as outcomes of ABM treatment responsivity and suggest that ABM may be most beneficial for those with more severe anxiety symptoms.

The effect of attention bias modification on the recognition of dynamic-angry faces in individuals with high social anxiety: Evidence from event-related brain potentials

The effect of attention bias modification on the recognition of dynamic-angry faces in individuals with high social anxiety: Evidence from event-related brain potentials

Does attention bias modification reduce anxiety in socially anxious college students? An experimental study of potential moderators and considerations for implementation.

According to cognitive models, preferential attention to social threat contributes to maintenance of social anxiety. Socially anxious individuals are known to show attention biases to threatening stimuli, although there is inconsistency in the literature with regards to the type of attentional biases they present. This study examines the effect of attention bias modification (ABM) for social anxiety in non-treatment-seeking college students meeting social anxiety disorder criteria, taking into consideration previous mixed results regarding its effectiveness. Attention bias levels and types (i.e. vigilance vs avoidance) at baseline were examined and considered as potential moderators of ABM effects. Sixty-eight socially anxious individuals were randomly allocated to ABM vs placebo groups. A structured interview and self-report assessment were completed at pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results showed half of the participants presented few attention biases at baseline, and the rest presented either vigilance or avoidance. Participants with low attention biases scored higher in social anxiety than those showing avoidance and there was no difference between those showing vigilance vs avoidance. No significant effects from pre to post treatment were observed in attention biases, self-report or structured interview of anxiety in the ABM group. Baseline attention biases did not moderate these effects. Results are discussed with regards to implications for future research towards the creation of more effective protocols, based on the needs of heterogeneous social anxiety sub-groups.

The effect of attentional bias modification on attentional bias change is related to increased emotional reactivity

The effect of attentional bias modification on attentional bias change is related to increased emotional reactivity

The remediating effect of Attention Bias Modification on aggression in young offenders with antisocial tendency: A randomized controlled trial

Background and objectivesAn attention bias toward hostile stimuli is associated with an increased risk of aggressive behavior. Thus, reducing hostile attention bias may help to reduce aggression in young offenders. We evaluated the remediating effects of Attention Bias Modification (ABM) on hostile attention bias and aggressive behavior in Chinese male young offenders with antisocial tendencies. MethodsInstitutionalized male young offenders (ages 16–18) were recruited and randomly assigned to ABM (n = 28), placebo (n = 28), or waiting list (n = 28). The ABM group received four weeks of training using visual search of emotional faces; the placebo group underwent similar training using visual search of neutral objects. Before and after treatment, aggressive behavior, attention bias toward positive stimuli and hostile stimuli were assessed. ResultsLinear mixed models and hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that the intervention effect of ABM was moderated by participants’ initial attention bias. Young offenders with a high level of initial hostile attention bias, or with a low level of initial positive attention bias, benefitted most from ABM. LimitationsThe small sample size impedes investigation of the mechanism of the intervention's effects. Further research can determine whether the current results can be extrapolated to the population of female young offenders. ConclusionThe results of the present study suggest that ABM is helpful for young offenders who show the greatest bias toward hostile stimuli and away from positive stimuli. These findings highlight the importance of matching the intervention and the participant. Trial registrationosf.io/vj5rk;

Effects of attentional bias modification on chronic low back pain in older outpatients: A randomized crossover trial (pilot study).

In the present study, the effect of attentional bias modification (ABM) on older outpatients, with chronic low back pain, was examined. This was a single-center, randomized, single-blinded, crossover trial and patients were randomly divided in a 1:1 allocation ratio into two groups: an ABM Leading group and an ABM Trailing group. Forty-three outpatients with chronic low back pain participated. Patients were evaluated four times and the treatments were ABM + Normal intervention or Normal intervention only. Outcome measures included pain intensity on the Numerical Rating Scale, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Somatic Symptom Scale-8, and EuroQol 5 Dimension-3 levels questionnaire. In addition, we performed the 30-second Chair-Stand test and the Timed Up & Go test for physical function evaluations. There was no change in pain intensity due to ABM. However, the total Pain Catastrophizing Scale score was significantly decreased, and the EuroQol 5 Dimension-3 levels questionnaire and 30-second chair-stand test were significantly improved (P <.05). The Health Science Ethics Committee, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University (permit number: 17060861), and the clinical trial was registered with UMIN (UMIN000029424).

Effects of Online Attentional Bias Modification on Coronavirus Anxiety

Objective: The negative impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)outbreak on public mental health are enhancing the number of individuals requiring psychotherapy. Besides, anxiety is becoming more frequent than any other mental health issue among individuals. Similar to other anxiety types, coronavirus anxiety is associated with elevated attentional bias. The present study aimed to examine the effects of Attentional Bias Modification (ABM) on attentional bias towards coronavirus-related stimuli, and coronavirus anxiety. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest-follow-up and a control group design. The research participants were 37 adults (aged 18 to 38 y), who were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=18) and control (n=19) groups. The experimental group received ABM, while no intervention was delivered to the controls. Attentional bias and coronavirus disease anxiety were assessed at pretest, posttest, and 2 months follow-up stages using the Dot-Probe Task (DPT) and the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS). The collected data were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Fisher’s least significant difference in SPSS v. 26. Results: After receiving online ABM, the study participant’s coronavirus-related attentional bias decreased, leading to a significant reduction in coronavirus anxiety (P&lt;0.05). These significant changes were evident at the posttest and maintained until the follow-up step. However, no significant changes occurred in the control group (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion: The presented ABM could decrease coronavirus anxiety; thus, its online implementation is a suitable approach to treat individuals with this anxiety while observing social distancing.

The effect of attention bias modification for social anxiety disorder: Meta analysis

The effect of attention bias modification for social anxiety disorder: Meta analysis

The Effectiveness of Attention Bias Modification with and without Trans Cranial Direct Current Stimulation in Chronic Low Back Pain

Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effect of ABM (attention bias modification) with and without tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) on attention bias, pain intensity, and disability due to pain and pain-related psychological consequences, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Method : Using convenience sampling, 60 individuals who met the criteria for chronic low back pain (LBP) were selected and randomly assigned in to 2 experimental groups and 2 control and sham-tDCS groups. The experimental ABM group received 5 sessions of the dot-probe task, while the second experimental group received 5 sessions of dot-probe task combined with tDCS. Results: The findings indicated that ABM and ABM+tDCS could reduce attention bias and pain-related psychological consequences significantly, compared to the control and sham groups. Also, attention bias and pain outcomes (depression, anxiety, disability due to pain and pain intensity) remained in ABM+tDCS group than in ABM group in a 1-month follow-up. Conclusion: It was found that tDCS + ABM had no additional effects at the end of intervention, but led to more long-lasting effects in 1-month follow-up. Randomized clinical trial registry number: IRCT20171107037306N1.

A pilot study augmenting cognitive behavioral therapy for panic disorder with attention bias modification: Clinical and psychophysiological outcomes

Background and objectivesStudies show that attentional bias towards threat is a key maintenance factor for panic disorder (PD). Attentional bias may be an important mechanism of symptom reduction, and thus, a useful target for optimizing outcomes. The current study examined whether an attention bias modification (ABM) task enhanced CBT outcomes. Multiple methods for assessing PD were used, including physiological measurement and clinician-rated assessment. MethodsAdults with panic disorder (N = 24) received seven sessions of CBT with either ABM or sham attention tasks. Psychophysiological reaction to a loud tones startle paradigm was assessed before and after treatment. ResultsAcross both groups, panic symptom severity decreased with CBT. The ABM group showed greater reductions in PD symptoms compared to the placebo group. Notably, however, changes in attentional bias were not associated with symptom reductions across groups. No significant group differences on psychophysiological assessment were observed. LimitationsThis study is limited by the small sample size, which rendered our power to investigate mediators and moderators insufficient. More research is needed to validate the effect of attention bias modification on attentional bias to threat. ConclusionsThis pilot study suggests that future research should investigate attentional bias in conjunction with CBT. A larger sample would provide opportunity to further investigate the mechanisms through which ABM works, along with potential moderating factors and the use of psychophysiological measurements in panic disorder.

The Effects of Attention Bias Modification on Body Dissatisfaction and Dietary Pattern Using Weight-Related Stimuli

The Effects of Attention Bias Modification on Body Dissatisfaction and Dietary Pattern Using Weight-Related Stimuli

The effect of attention bias modification towards positive stimuli for socially anxious individual’s approach-avoidance tendency to facial expressions.

The effect of attention bias modification towards positive stimuli for socially anxious individual’s approach-avoidance tendency to facial expressions.

Effectiveness of attention bias modification by computerized attention training on reducing social anxiety of adolescents

Effectiveness of attention bias modification by computerized attention training on reducing social anxiety of adolescents

The Effect of Attentional Bias Modification Training on Attentional Bias for High-calorie Food Cues in the Obese with Binge Eating

The obese with binge eating has more biased attention to food than the obese without binge eating, which causes a risk of food cravings and binge eating problems. A direct treatment of the automatic attentional bias on high-calorie food cues is expected to reduce the attentional bias and binge eating. The goal of this study is to examine the effect of attentional bias modification (ABM) training, which is a method of training that disengage attentional bias for high-calorie food cues. 346 participants were divided into 25 obese female with binge eating and 25 obese female without binge eating, respectively, based on BMI, body fat percentage and binge eating scale. Each group completed self-report questionnaires, free viewing task, gap-overlap task before and after ABM training. And also food intake was measured before and after training. The results showed that only obese without binge eating showed a significant decrease in attentional bias for high-calorie food cues after ABM training. In addition, the obese with binge eating consumed more high-calorie foods than low-calorie foods after ABM training. These results suggest that the obese with binge eating have to conduct repeated ABM training because their attentional bias and binge eating problems are more serious than the obese without binge eating.

Effects of Attentional Bias Modification on residual symptoms in depression: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundFollowing treatment, many depressed patients have significant residual symptoms. However, large randomised controlled trials (RCT) in this population are lacking. When Attention bias modification training (ABM) leads to more positive emotional biases, associated changes in clinical symptoms have been reported. A broader and more transparent picture of the true advantage of ABM based on larger and more stringent clinical trials have been requested. The current study evaluates the early effect of two weeks ABM training on blinded clinician-rated and self-reported residual symptoms, and whether changes towards more positive attentional biases (AB) would be associated with symptom reduction.MethodA total of 321 patients with a history of depression were included in a preregistered randomized controlled double-blinded trial. Patients were randomised to an emotional ABM paradigm over fourteen days or a closely matched control condition. Symptoms based on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) were obtained at baseline and after ABM training.ResultsABM training led to significantly greater decrease in clinician-rated symptoms of depression as compared to the control condition. No differences between ABM and placebo were found for self-reported symptoms. ABM induced a change of AB towards relatively more positive stimuli for participants that also showed greater symptom reduction.ConclusionThe current study demonstrates that ABM produces early changes in blinded clinician-rated depressive symptoms and that changes in AB is linked to changes in symptoms. ABM may have practical potential in the treatment of residual depression.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02658682 (retrospectively registered in January 2016).

Visual Search Attentional Bias Modification Decreases the Attentional Bias for Facial Expression of Sadness and the Relapse Tendency in Abstinent Methamphetamine Drug Users

Abstinent drug users were hypothesized to harbor attentional bias towards stimuli relevant to negative facial expressions. This study investigated the attentional bias hypothesis for abstinent methamphetamine users, as well as the effects of attentional bias modification on the attentional bias for facial expressions and its effects on relapse tendency in abstinent drug users. These possibilities were investigated by using the dot-probe paradigm and “find-the-smile” visual search paradigm in two different behavioral experiments. The results of Experiment 1 showed that abstinent methamphetamine users displayed significant attentional bias for the facial expression of sadness. The results of Experiment 2 showed that the visual search attentional bias training significantly increased the attentional bias for happy faces and decreased the attentional bias for sad faces in abstinent methamphetamine users. The research has also found that such a training program decreased the relapse tendency. These results indicate that the visual search attentional bias modification may be an effective behavioral intervention for methamphetamine users.

Attentional bias modification reduces clinical depression and enhances attention toward happiness

Difficulty in clinical antidepressant treatment leads to the pursuit of alternative treatments, such as cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT). CBT combined with regular antidepressants have indicated an optimal therapeutic effect in clinic. Attentional bias is important in the occurrence and remission of depression, however, few studies have explored the effect of attentional bias modification (ABM) on depression, and inconsistent results have been obtained due to the heterogeneity in the targeted populations, training tasks, strategies, and materials. Hence, the current study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of ABM on depression in clinical depression.Study I was designed to explore the optimal training methods regarding task (dot-probe vs. cue-target), material (faces vs. self-referent words), and strategy (mixed ABM toward positive and away from negative stimuli vs. positive ABM toward positive stimuli) in unselected undergraduates once daily for 10 days (N = 309). Study II was carried out to observe the effect of 10 days ABM toward positive and away from negative faces (based on Study I) on clinical depression (N = 32). Depression level was assessed via a self-reporting questionnaire and a structured interview, while attentional bias was tested by cue-target task and attention to positive and negative inventory (APNI).In unselected undergraduates (Study I), two strategies significantly reduced the self-reporting depression scores: mixed ABM toward positive stimuli and away from negative stimuli with emotional faces, and positive ABM toward positive materials only with self-referent words. In patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) (Study II), the mixed ABM with emotional faces resulted in enhanced attentional bias toward happy materials in the cue-target task and APNI, which predicted a delayed depression reduction in clinical depression at the one-month follow-up investigation.Our finding confirms the literature and broadens the knowledge with the evidence of the optimal therapeutic effect of ABM combined with regular antidepressants in clinical depression. The findings that a quick enhancement in positive attentional bias, predicting a later therapeutic effect on clinical depression reduction, indicate a potential mechanism that could underlie the therapeutic process of ABM in depression. The findings that two training strategies are effective in depression reduction suggest that different strategies should be utilized to treat different types of depression. This study offers a potential way to cure depression and could be further practiced in clinic.

The effects of attentional bias modification on emotion regulation

Background and objectivesIn two experiments, we investigated the effects of Attentional Bias Modification (ABM) on emotion regulation, i.e. the manner in which people influence emotional experiences. We hypothesized that decreases in attentional bias to threat would impair upregulation and improve downregulation of negative emotions, while increases in attentional bias to threat would improve upregulation and impair downregulation of negative emotions. MethodsUsing the emotion-in-motion paradigm (Experiment 1, N = 60) and the visual search task (Experiment 2, N = 58), we trained participants to attend to either threatening or positive stimuli and we assessed emotion intensity while observing, upregulating, and downregulating emotions in response to grids of mixed emotional pictures. ResultsIn Experiment 1, the attend positive group reported more positive emotions while merely watching grids of training pictures and the attend threat group showed impaired upregulation of negative affect. In Experiment 2, the attend threat group reported intensified negative emotions for all three instructions, while the attend positive group remained largely stable over time. LimitationsWe cannot unequivocally attribute these changes in emotion regulation to changes in attentional bias, as neither of the experiments yielded significant changes in attentional bias to threat. ConclusionsBy showing that attentional bias modification procedures affect the manner in which people deal with emotions, we add empirical weight to the conceptual overlap between attentional bias modification and emotion regulation.