Attention Training Using Computers May Lessen Anxiety in Youth

Computer modules that help young people practice focusing their attention may improve symptoms in youth with treatment-resistant anxiety, according to areport in theJournal of the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Adolescents who had previously been treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) but still experienced anxiety showed significant reductions in symptom severity after they received treatment with either one of two training modules —Attention Bias Modification Treatment (ABMT) and Attention Control Training (ACT).“These findings suggest that both attention-training protocols may increase attention control and thereby reduce anxiety,” wrote Jeremy W. Pettit, Ph.D., of the Florida International University, and colleagues.Both modules involve showing simultaneous images of neutral and angry faces, followed by a symbol or probe ( “< ” or “> ”) appearing in the location of one of the faces. Participants are instructed to indicate the orientation of the probe by clicking the left or right mouse button (left for “< ”, right for “> ”) using their dominant hand. The task tests the subjects' bias toward paying attention to a threatening or nonthreatening stimulus and requires them to repeatedly practice focusing their attention.Sixty-four youths (34 boys, 30 girls) with an average age of 17 who continued to have anxiety after completing CBT were randomized to four weeks of twice weekly ABMT or ACT. The primary outcome was the score...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Tags: anxiety Attention Bias Modification Treatment attention control training attention to threat brain training CBT JACAAP Source Type: research