title: Investigating the efficacy of attention bias modification in reducing high spider fear: The role of individual differences in initial bias.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Attention Bias Modification (ABM) targets attention bias (AB) towards threat and is a potential therapeutic intervention for anxiety. The current study investigated whether initial AB (towards or away from spider images) influenced the effectiveness of ABM in spider fear.
  
  
  METHODS
  AB was assessed with an attentional probe task consisting of spider and neutral images presented simultaneously followed by a probe in spider congruent or spider incongruent locations. Response time (RT) differences between spider and neutral trials > 25 ms was considered 'Bias Toward' threat. RT difference < - 25 ms was considered 'Bias Away' from threat, and a difference between -25 ms and +25 ms was considered 'No Bias'. Participants were categorized into Initial Bias groups using pre-ABM AB scores calculated at the end of the study. 66 participants' (Bias Toward n = 27, Bias Away n = 18, No Bias n = 21) were randomly assigned to ABM-active training designed to reduce or eliminate a bias toward threat and 61 (Bias Toward n = 17, Bias Away n = 18, No Bias n = 26) to ABM-control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ABM-active had the largest impact on those demonstrating an initial Bias Towards spider images in terms of changing AB and reducing Spider Fear Vulnerability, with the Bias Away group experiencing least benefit from ABM. However, all Initial Bias groups benefited equally from active ABM in a Stress Task.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants were high spider fearful but not formally diagnosed with a specific phobia. Therefore, results should be confirmed within a clinical population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individual differences in Initial Bias may be an important determinant of ABM efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK. Electronic address: elaine.fox@psy.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Essex, UK.
authors.forename: Konstantina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zougkou
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Bath, UK.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ashwin
authors.affiliation: North Essex Partnership University NHS Trust, UK.
authors.forename: Shanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cahill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D015982:Bias; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013112:Spiders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Attentional bias; Attentional training; Cognitive bias modification; Spider fear; Spider phobia; Threat detection