title: The effectiveness of an attention bias modification program as an adjunctive treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
abstract: Attention bias modification (ABM) may be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders (Beard, Sawyer, & Hofmann, 2012). As individuals with PTSD possess an attentional bias towards threat-relevant information ABM may prove effective in reducing PTSD symptoms. We examined the efficacy of ABM as an adjunct treatment for PTSD in a real-world setting. We administered ABM in conjunction with prolonged exposure or cognitive-processing therapy and medication in a community inpatient treatment facility for military personnel diagnosed with PTSD. Participants were randomized to either ABM or an attention control condition (ACC). While all participants experienced reductions in PTSD symptoms, participants in the ABM group experienced significantly fewer PTSD and depressive symptoms at post-treatment when compared to the ACC group. Moreover, change in plasticity of attentional bias mediated this change in symptoms and initial attentional bias moderated the effects of the treatment. These results suggest that ABM may be an effective adjunct treatment for PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kuckertz
authors.affiliation: Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, CA, USA. Electronic address: namir@mail.sdsu.edu.
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Amir
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Boffa
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Ciara K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.affiliation: Aurora Behavioral Health Care, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Susan E M
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Rindt
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; National Center for PTSD, USA.
authors.forename: Sonya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.affiliation: Naval Center for Combat & Operational Stress Control, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Vasudha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ram
authors.affiliation: Naval Center for Combat & Operational Stress Control, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Lauretta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ziajko
authors.affiliation: Naval Center for Combat & Operational Stress Control, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Webb-Murphy
authors.affiliation: Naval Center for Combat & Operational Stress Control, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McLay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attention training; Cognitive bias modification; PTSD