Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)Attention Bias Modification Treatment (ABMT)Placebo Effect
Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)
Dot-Probe Attention Bias Modification (ABM)Placebo Training
Dot-Probe Attention Bias Modification (ABM): Participants complete a computerized dot-probe attention training task designed to train attention away from threat-related stimuli. During each trial, angry and neutral facial expressions are presented simultaneously, followed by a probe that consistently appears in the location of the neutral face. Participants complete eight training sessions over four weeks.
Placebo Training: Participants complete a computerized task matched to the active training condition in duration, structure, and task demands, but without exposure to emotional stimuli or attentional training contingencies. The task is designed to control for nonspecific factors such as expectancy and engagement. Participants complete eight sessions over four weeks.
Study summary
This study examines whether a computerized attention-training intervention called attention bias modification (ABM) can reduce symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adults, and whether symptom improvement is specifically related to changes in attentional processing or to nonspecific factors such as expectancy and placebo effects.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
18 Years
Max age
65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 18-65 years
* Primary diagnosis of generalized Social Anxiety Disorder based on clinical evaluation, the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), and a Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) score greater than 50
* Normal or corrected-to-normal vision without color blindness
* Sufficient Hebrew proficiency to complete clinical interviews, self-report questionnaires, and computerized cognitive tasks
Exclusion Criteria:
* Previous participation in attention bias modification training using a dot-probe task
* Previous participation in eye-tracking-based attention training
* Current diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
* Current or past diagnosis of psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder
* Neurological disorder (e.g., epilepsy or traumatic brain injury)
* Severe suicidal ideation
* Current substance or alcohol use disorder
* Concurrent pharmacological or psychosocial treatment, unless medication has been stable for at least 45 days
* Pregnancy
* Uncorrected visual impairment or use of multifocal glasses
Primary outcome measure(s)
Change in social anxiety symptoms — a) Baseline one-week before treatment begins; b) an average of 2 weeks following treatment completion. Total time frame (baseline-post) an average of 6 weeks. Change in social anxiety symptom severity from baseline to post-intervention as measured by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Min-Max values 0-80, higher scores mean worse outcome.
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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