Attention Bias Modification for Depression

Overseen By Christopher G Beevers, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

Must not be taking: Opioids, Corticosteroids

Disqualifiers: Suicidal behavior, Bipolar, Psychotic, Substance use, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 4 weeks

600 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you must not have changed your antidepressant medication or dosage in the past 12 weeks to be eligible.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Gamified Attention Bias Modification for depression?

Research shows that gamified attention bias modification (ABM) can reduce anxiety and stress in highly anxious individuals, and similar techniques have been used to address negative thinking patterns in depression. Additionally, gamification has been found to enhance the effects of cognitive training, suggesting it could improve engagement and outcomes in depression treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Attention Bias Modification safe for humans?

The research does not report any safety concerns for Attention Bias Modification, whether gamified or traditional, in humans for conditions like anxiety and alcohol use disorders. ^{4 5 6 7 8}

How is the Attention Bias Modification treatment for depression different from other treatments?

Attention Bias Modification (ABM) for depression is unique because it focuses on changing how people pay attention to negative information, which is thought to contribute to depression. This treatment is delivered through computerized sessions and can include gamified elements to make it more engaging, unlike traditional therapies that might not use technology or focus on attention patterns. ^{1 2 3 5 9}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of two related, but different ABM (Attention Biased Modification) treatments for depression in adults with elevated symptoms of depression. The main aims are: * Aim 1:examine whether gamified ABM leads to greater change in the primary and secondary outcomes than sham ABM * Aim 1: establish that gamified ABM is at least as effective as traditional ABM. * Aim 2: identify moderators of ABM efficacy and mechanisms responsible for its efficacy. * Aim 3: Identify the durability of ABM on depression symptoms during short-term follow-up Participants will complete self-report questionnaires, complete eye-tracking tasks, and be clinically assessed through interviews by clinician researchers. If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare sham, traditional, and gamified treatment groups to see if they moderate symptoms of depression.

Research Team

Christopher G Beevers, PhD

Principal Investigator

UT Austin

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with symptoms of depression. Participants will be asked to fill out questionnaires, do eye-tracking tasks, and undergo interviews by clinicians. Details on specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

My antidepressant medication and dose have been stable for the last 12 weeks.

Fluent in English

Provided informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with bipolar or psychotic disorders.

I am currently taking opioids or corticosteroids.

I am currently undergoing psychotherapy.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either gamified, traditional, or sham ABM treatments for depression

4 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for the durability of ABM effects on depression symptoms

24 weeks

Monthly assessments

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Gamified Attention Bias Modification
• Sham Attention Bias Modification
• Traditional Attention Bias Modification

Trial Overview The study tests two types of Attention Bias Modification (ABM) treatments: a gamified version and the traditional one, against a sham (inactive) treatment. It aims to see which ABM method is more effective at improving depression symptoms and how long the effects last.

Participant Groups

Group I: Gamified Attention Bias Modification Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This ABM variant will be completed on participants' mobile devices (iOS or Android). During app use, they will be presented with sad-happy stimulus pairs followed by target probes (tracing a path) always appearing at the happy stimulus location.

Group II: Traditional Attention Bias Modification Active Control 1 Intervention

This ABM variant is a web-based program delivered to participants via a computer. It presents pairs of stimuli to the right and left visual fields from two stimulus categories: sad or neutral facial expressions from the Pictures of Facial Affect (POFA) collection and dysphoric or neutral scenes from or from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS) collection.

Group III: Sham Attention Bias Modification Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Sham and traditional ABM interventions will be identical in all respects with one critical exception. For sham ABM, after stimuli offset the target will appear with equal probability (50%) in the location of the neutral or the dysphoric stimulus.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas at Austin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

86,100+

Arcade Therapeutics

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

600+

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Attention Bias Modification training in individuals with depressive symptoms: A randomized controlled trial. [2022]

2. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Attention bias modification in depression: A randomized trial using a novel, reward-based, eye-tracking approach. [2021]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of attention bias modification on depressive symptoms in a comorbid sample: a randomized controlled trial. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mental Health on the Go: Effects of a Gamified Attention Bias Modification Mobile Application in Trait Anxious Adults. [2022]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Gamification improves antidepressant effects of cognitive control training-A pilot trial. [2022]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of a Smartphone Application on the Reduction of Attentional Bias Toward Alcohol Among Students&#8224;. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing Attentional Bias in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorders With a Tablet Application: A Randomized Controlled Trial Pilot Study. [2020]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recent Advances in Attention Bias Modification for Substance Addictions. [2019]

9. Egypt pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A multiple case series analysis of six variants of attentional bias modification for depression. [2021]