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Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Methods to Test Visual Attention Online
Published on: February 19, 2015
A Systematic Review of Efficacy of the Attention Training Technique in Clinical and Nonclinical Samples
Mark M Knowles1, Philip Foden2, Wael El-Deredy3,4
1University of Manchester. mark.knowles@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk.
Objective:
The Attention Training Technique (ATT; Wells, 1990) is a brief metacognitive treatment strategy aimed at remediating self-focused processing and increasing attention flexibility in psychological disorder.
Method:
We systematically reviewed and examined the efficacy of ATT in clinical and nonclinical samples. Scientific databases were searched from 1990 to 2014 and 10 studies (total N = 295) met inclusion criteria. Single-case data were meta-analyzed using the improvement rate difference, and standardized between and within-group effect sizes (ESs) were examined across 4 analogue randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Results:
Single-case outcomes indicated that ATT yields large ES estimates (pooled ES range: 0.74-1.00) for anxiety and depressive disorders. Standardized ESs across the RCTs indicated that ATT yields greater treatment gains than reference groups across majority outcomes (adjusted Cohen's d range: 0.40-1.23).
Conclusions:
These preliminary results suggest ATT may be effective in treating anxiety and depressive disorders and help remediate some symptoms of schizophrenia. Although a limited number of studies with small sample sizes warrants caution of interpretation, ATT appears promising and future studies will benefit from adequately powered RCTs.
