Attentional bias modification treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a randomized clinical trial

Attention Bias Modification Treatment (ABMT) is a computer-based intervention targeting aberrant threat-related attention in anxiety. Despite inconsistent findings in various neuropsychiatric disorders, it remains a potential alternative for reducing the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. This study presents the first randomized, double-blind trial of ABMT in patients with OCD.

Thirty patients were randomly assigned to active (n = 15) or sham condition (n = 15), undergoing 10 ABMT sessions targeting symmetry and cleaning symptoms.

Both groups were similar in baseline attentional bias and clinical scores. No significant change in attention bias scores for symmetry-related stimuli or cleaning-related stimuli was observed at post-treatment. Additionally, no significant reduction in OCD severity was found in the active group compared to sham, nor in specific symmetry or cleaning symptomatology. However, both groups showed a significant time effect, indicating an overall decrease in OCD severity. Intra-group analysis revealed a significant reduction in anxiety-related severity within the active group, while the sham group did not exhibit a statistically significant change.

ABMT was demonstrated to be a feasible and well-tolerated intervention. However, additional research on efficacy is needed before we can recommend it as a formal treatment for OCD.