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Statistical Learning as a Predictor of Attention Bias Modification Outcome

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Social Anxiety Disorder
Interventions
Behavioral: ABM
Registration Number
NCT03424967
Lead Sponsor
Tel Aviv University
Brief Summary

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

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.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
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

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ABM therapyABMThe attention bias modification treatment comprises of six computerized sessions, twice a week, in purpose of modulate biases in attention for threat stimuli.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) - Diagnostic Interview scores1-2 weeks after treatment completion

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

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The Social Phobia Inventory scores1-2 weeks after treatment completion

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.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Tel Aviv University

🇮🇱

Tel Aviv, Israel

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