Abstract
Several studies suggest that computer-based attention modification programmes can be a promising new approach for the treatment
of various anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder (SAD). The current study investigates the efficacy of a four-week
Internet-delivered version of an attentional training for SAD in a randomized controlled double-blind study. Sixty-eight individuals
seeking treatment for SAD were randomly assigned to either an attention training group (ATG, N = 33) or a control group (CG, N = 35). Participants of the ATG completed modified dot-probe tasks designed to facilitate attentional disengagement from threat.
Participants in the CG completed control dot-probe tasks. At post-assessment, participants in both groups showed significant
symptom reductions with medium to large within-group effect sizes on social anxiety measures (ATG: Cohen’s d = .47–.80; CG: d = .56–.63). However, no significant differences between groups were found at post-treatment for any outcome measure. These
findings will be discussed along with the results of a 4-months follow-up assessment.
of various anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder (SAD). The current study investigates the efficacy of a four-week
Internet-delivered version of an attentional training for SAD in a randomized controlled double-blind study. Sixty-eight individuals
seeking treatment for SAD were randomly assigned to either an attention training group (ATG, N = 33) or a control group (CG, N = 35). Participants of the ATG completed modified dot-probe tasks designed to facilitate attentional disengagement from threat.
Participants in the CG completed control dot-probe tasks. At post-assessment, participants in both groups showed significant
symptom reductions with medium to large within-group effect sizes on social anxiety measures (ATG: Cohen’s d = .47–.80; CG: d = .56–.63). However, no significant differences between groups were found at post-treatment for any outcome measure. These
findings will be discussed along with the results of a 4-months follow-up assessment.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s10608-011-9374-y
- Authors
- Johanna Boettcher, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Thomas Berger, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Babette Renneberg, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Journal Cognitive Therapy and Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2819
- Print ISSN 0147-5916