Efficacy of Attention Bias Modification vs. Placebo for Social Anxiety Disorder

NCT07666776 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: ABM_P
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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.

Conditions

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD); Attention Bias Modification Treatment (ABMT); Placebo Effect

Keywords

Social Anxiety; Placebo; Treatment; Attention Bias

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in social anxiety symptoms

  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.

  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.

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Change in reaction-time-based attention bias measured in miliseconds

  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 reaction-time-based attention bias variability

  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 eye-tracking-based attention bias

  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 eye-tracking-based attention bias variability

  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.

• Treatment Expectancy and Credibility

  Baseline one-week before treatment begins

Study Arms (3)

Active ABM Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Mechanized Dot-Probe Attention Bias Modification (ABM) training attention away from threat faces. Participants identify the direction of an arrowehead presented at the location of neutral faces.

Behavioral: Dot-Probe Attention Bias Modification (ABM)

Placebo Training

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Mechanized Intervention: Placebo Training, presenting a single, centered, non-face oval shape in each trial. Participants identify the direction of an arrowehead centrally presented.

Behavioral: Placebo Training

Wait-List Control

NO INTERVENTION

No Intervention / Wait-List, assessments at the same intervals as the active and placebo conditions without intervention in between.

Interventions

Dot-Probe Attention Bias Modification (ABM) BEHAVIORAL

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.

Also known as: ABM

Active ABM Training

Placebo Training BEHAVIORAL

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.

Placebo Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tel Aviv University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tel Aviv university

Tel Aviv, Israel

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Phobia, Social

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Phobic Disorders; Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Yair Bar-Haim, PhD

  Tel Aviv University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Yair Bar-Haim, PhD

CONTACT

97236405465; yair1@tauex.tau.ac.il

Lital Kohn, MA

CONTACT

97236405465; litalkohn@tauex.tau.ac.il

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Independent assessors will be clinical psychologists blind to study design or patient asignment. Participants and assessors will be instructed not to discuss treatment. The invesigator will have no direct contact with participants and will be blind to condition assignment.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 15, 2026
• First Posted: June 24, 2026
• Study Start: June 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2027
• Last Updated: June 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IL (1)