Attention bias modification for social anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Social anxiety disorder, one of the most common anxiety disorders, is known as a chronic psychiatric disorder. Objectives: The present study is aimed at investigating the effects of computer-based attention training on attention bias modification for social anxiety disorder. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed on 30 students who suffered from social anxiety disorder. All of them filled out the social phobia inventory (SPIN; Connor et al.), Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS), and social anxiety disorder severity questionnaire (SCSQ) and attended a clinical interview. The participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15), and then they took part in a computer-based pretest program of attention bias measurement (ABM). The experimental group attended 10 sessions of computer-based attention control training program. Both of the groups participated in a computer-based posttest program of ABM. The data were analyzed using the analysis of covariance. Results: Our findings indicated that the computer-based attention control training contributed to reducing attention bias towards the angry (Eta Square = 0.34), surprised (Eta Square = 0.23), and happy (Eta Square = 0.19) expressions, while it did not have any effects on disgusted, fearful, and sad expressions. Conclusions: Attention training program is an effective method to modify attention bias towards some of the emotional effects and can be employed in therapeutic interventions.