Attentional Bias and Its Modification in Contamination OCD Symptomatology

This study examined attentional biases in 54 individuals with contamination OCD symptomatology and whether ABM reduces biases and symptoms. Participants comp leted one 30 min session of either ABM training or a control task and a spatial cueing task before and after to assess attentional bias. Questionnaires and behavioral tasks were also completed. Participants returned for a follow up 1 month later. As expected, there was evidence of difficulty disen gaging from threats directly and indirectly associated with disease. Attention training led to a reduction in this bias, which was maintained for 1 month. However, there was no improvement in avoidance or contamination fear on a behavioral task, contamination OCD symptoms, safety behaviors and anxi ety. Implications for treatment of OCD are discussed.
Source: Cognitive Therapy and Research - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research