The efficacy of Attentional Training on Attentional Bias and Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Efficacy of Attentional Training on Attentional Bias and Symptoms of
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) include many cognitive
phenomena such as: re-experiencing the trauma, recurrent and intrusive
recollections, nightmares, flashbacks, hyper vigilance and memory loss. Many
studies have reported memory and attention problems in PTSD (Buckley,
Blanchard, & Neill, 2000). Attentional bias (AB) is defined as the automatic
and selective allocation of attentional resources to threatening and negative
information, and is thought to be an important contributing factor in the
development and maintenance of PTSD. AB is measured using reaction time tests.
Recently, it has been demonstrated that AB can either be created or eliminated
in the laboratory by using adapted versions of the attentional tests
(*attentional training*). Preliminary evidence suggests that it may be
effective as a treatment in anxiety disorders, e.g., social phobia. AB is
larger in PTSD than in any other anxiety disorder.







Outcomes: Attentional bias, PTSD symptoms.

Investment: diagnostic interview, questionnaires, assessment of AB (2 hrs
combined); Attentional training or placebo (8 times 20 minutes); Outcome
assessment (30 minutes).

Risks: none. None of these procedures or questionnaires is any different from
the procedures or questions that are asked in the context of their ongoing
treatment. The attentional training task is considered boring by some
participants (pilot data in students).

To investigate the efficacy of attentional training

Randomized, double blind placebo-controlled trial.

Attentional training or placebo training.

Participants will spend 8 hours in total in this researchproject. There are no
risks to be expected.