Statistical Learning as a Predictor of Attention Bias Modification Outcome

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study examines whether the ability to extract statistical properties from the environment among treatment-seeking patients with social anxiety disorder can predict therapeutic response to attention bias modification (ABM), namely, reduction in symptoms of social anxiety following ABM therapy.

Detailed Description
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All participants received 6 sessions of ABM therapy away from threat. At baseline participants also completed a gold standard statistical learning task aimed to assess participants' capacity for the extraction of statistical regularity from the environment. The aim of the study is to determine whether the basic ability to extract rules from the environment at baseline could predict clinical improvement of social anxiety symptoms.

Official Title
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Statistical Learning as a Predictor of Attention Bias Modification Outcome: a Preliminary Study Among Socially Anxious Patients

Conditions
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Social Anxiety Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: ABM


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: a signed consent form a primary diagnosis of social anxiety disorder an age of 18-65 Exclusion Criteria: any history or present diagnosis of psychosis high risk for harm to self or others concurrent posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorder, or bipolar disorder a diagnosis of a neurological disorder (i.e., epilepsy, brain injury) drug or alcohol misuse a pharmacological treatment that is not stabilized in the past 3 months any concurrent psychotherapy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: ABM therapy<br>The attention bias modification treatment comprises of six computerized sessions, twice a week, in purpose of modulate biases in attention for threat stimuli. | Behavioral: ABM<br>* Participants are trained with a dot-probe task including angry-neutral faces. In 80% of trials the probe appears in place of the neutral face, and in 20% of trials in place of the angry face.<br>* Other names: attention bias modification;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) - Diagnostic Interview scores | The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale is a clinician-rated inventory consisting of 24 items describing socially relevant situations. Each situation is rated in relation to the past week on two sub-scales ranging 0-3: level of fear and level of avoidance experienced in response to these situations. Item scores are summed to a total score ranging 0-144 | 1-2 weeks after treatment completion | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Social Phobia Inventory scores | The Social Phobia Inventory is a self-reported questionnaire comprised of 17 items on a 5-point scale depicting social worries and problems. Participants rate to what extent these situations have bothered them in the past week. Item scores are summed to a total score ranging 0-68. | 1-2 weeks after treatment completion | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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attention-bias modification, statistical learning, social anxiety disorder, treatment outcome