Construction and Validation of Computer Program of Attention Bias Modification Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety is a common mental disorder. Cognitive theories of social anxiety considered attention bias as an etiological and maintaining factor in social anxiety. Cognitive bias modification (CBM) is an experimental paradigm and an innovative approach to modifying cognitive biases. Attention bias modification (ABM) protocols represent one of a number of cognitive bias modification techniques, which are beginning to show promise as therapeutic interventions for emotional pathology. This study introduces computer program of attention bias modification treatment (ABMT) and the construction process and examination of the reliability and validity of this program.
The reliability of faces used in computerized attentional bias modification program, was examined by 120 students. Validity of computer program of attention bias modification was examined in two groups (n=16) of adolescents with social anxiety disorder.
The results indicate the high reliability and validity of computer program of attention bias modification and faces used in it. Implementation of this program on adolescents with social anxiety disorder showed differential validity of this technique and its ability to reduce social anxiety and attentional bias.
The current results clearly suggest that use of computerized attention training procedures can be a promising alternative or complementary intervention in changing attentional bias and social anxiety.