Fewer intrusions after an attentional bias modification training for perceptual reminders of analogue trauma
Open accessAbstract
The present experimental analogue study used computerised attention training to investigate the role of attention bias in the prediction of intrusive memories. After exposure to a trauma film, participants in a training group (n=22) were presented with a variant of the exogenic cueing task (ECT) in which visual film reminders (i.e., stills from the trauma film) were always presented during invalid and neutral control stimuli always during valid trials. The purpose of this cue-location contingency was reinforcing the direction of attention away from film reminders. Control participants (n=23) performed a similar training without such a contingency. Post-training processing bias was assessed with a single target Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP) task, in which trauma-film reminders served as task-irrelevant distracters appearing shortly before a neutral target. The frequency of film-related intrusions was recorded in a take-home diary and at a follow-up session three days after film viewing. Participants who underwent attention training reported fewer film-related intrusions and showed less interference by visual film distracters than controls. Implications for research on attention bias after real-life trauma are discussed.
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- Authors
- Verwoerd, J., Wessel, I., & de Jong, P. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Groningen (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Verwoerd, Johan
- Venue
- Cognition & Emotion
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2012-01
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 153-165
- ISSN
- 0269-9931 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-0600
- OpenAlex
- W1988943592
- Cited by
- 27
- References
- 32
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- research.rug.nl
- Licence
- other-oa
- Locations
- Cognition & Emotion (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- attentional bias modification, intrusive memories, trauma, attentional bias, rapid serial visual presentation, visual reminders, post-traumatic stress, memory intrusion, attention training
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Attention, Cues, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Photic Stimulation, Teaching, Visual Perception, Wounds and Injuries
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