scholarly journals Attentional Bias Modification Training for Itch: A Proof-of-Principle Study in Healthy Individuals

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoinette I. M. van Laarhoven ◽  
Jennifer M. Becker ◽  
Dimitri M. L. van Ryckeghem ◽  
Stefaan Van Damme ◽  
Geert Crombez ◽  
...  

Itch draws our attention to allow imposing action against bodily harm (e.g., remove insects). At the same time, itch is found to interfere with ongoing tasks and daily life goals. Despite the key role of attention in itch processing, interventions that train individuals to automatically disengage attention from itch cues are lacking. The present proof-of-principle attention bias modification (ABM) training study was aimed at investigating whether attention to itch as well as sensitivity to mild itch can be changed. Healthy volunteers were randomized over three ABM-training conditions. Training was done via a modified pictorial dot-probe task. In particular, participants were trained to look away from itch stimuli (n = 38), toward itch stimuli (n = 40) or not trained toward or away from itch at all (sham training, n = 38). The effects of the ABM-training were tested primarily on attention to itch pictures. Secondarily, it was investigated whether training effects generalized to alterations in attention to itch words and mechanical itch sensitivity. The ABM-training did not alter attention toward the itch pictures, and there was no moderation by baseline levels of attention bias for itch. Also, attention bias to the itch words and itch sensitivity were not affected by the ABM-training. This study was a first step toward trainings to change attention toward itch. Further research is warranted to optimize ABM-training methodology, for example increasing motivation of participants. Eventually, an optimized training could be used in patient populations who suffer most from distraction by their symptoms of itch.Clinical Trial Registration: Identifier: NL6134 (NTR6273). The website URL is: https://www.trialregister.nl/

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 118-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ólafía Sigurjónsdóttir ◽  
Andri S. Björnsson ◽  
Sigurbjörg J. Ludvigsdóttir ◽  
Árni Kristjánsson

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (23) ◽  
pp. e2012941118
Author(s):  
Muhammad A. Parvaz ◽  
Pias Malaker ◽  
Anna Zilverstand ◽  
Scott J. Moeller ◽  
Nelly Alia-Klein ◽  
...  

A relapse in addiction is often precipitated by heightened attention bias to drug-related cues, underpinned by a subcortically mediated transition to habitual/automatized responding and reduced prefrontal control. Modification of such automatized attention bias is a fundamental, albeit elusive, target for relapse reduction. Here, on a trial-by-trial basis, we used electroencephalography and eye tracking with a task that assessed, in this order, drug cue reactivity, its instructed self-regulation via reappraisal, and the immediate aftereffects on spontaneous (i.e., not instructed and automatized) attention bias. The results show that cognitive reappraisal, a facet of prefrontal control, decreased spontaneous attention bias to drug-related cues in cocaine-addicted individuals, more so in those with less frequent recent use. The results point to the mechanisms underlying the disruption of automatized maladaptive drug-related attention bias in cocaine addiction. These results pave the way for future studies to examine the role of such habit disruption in reducing compulsive drug seeking outside the controlled laboratory environment, with the ultimate goal of developing a readily deployable cognitive-behavioral and personalized intervention for drug addiction.


Author(s):  
Yasaman Shiasy ◽  
Shima Shakiba ◽  
Farhad Taremian ◽  
Seyed Majid Akhavan Hejazi ◽  
Alireza Abasi

Objective: The present study aimed to compare the effect of ABM (attention bias modification) with and without tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) on attention bias, pain intensity, and disability due to pain and pain-related psychological consequences, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Method: Using convenience sampling, 60 individuals who met the criteria for chronic low back pain (LBP) were selected and randomly assigned in to 2 experimental groups and 2 control and sham-tDCS groups. The experimental ABM group received 5 sessions of the dot-probe task, while the second experimental group received 5 sessions of dot-probe task combined with tDCS. Results: The findings indicated that ABM and ABM+tDCS could reduce attention bias and pain-related psychological consequences significantly, compared to the control and sham groups. Also, attention bias and pain outcomes (depression, anxiety, disability due to pain and pain intensity) remained in ABM+tDCS group than in ABM group in a 1-month follow-up. Conclusion: It was found that tDCS + ABM had no additional effects at the end of intervention, but led to more long-lasting effects in 1-month follow-up. Randomized clinical trial registry number: IRCT20171107037306N1.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document