Fewer intrusions after an attentional bias modification training for perceptual reminders of analogue trauma

Fewer intrusions after an attentional bias modification training for perceptual reminders of analogue trauma

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.

当前的实验模拟研究使用计算机化的注意力训练来探究注意力偏差在侵入性记忆预测中的作用。在观看一部创伤性影片之后，训练组（n = 22）的参与者接受了一种外源性线索提示任务（ECT）的变体，在该任务中，视觉影片提示物（即来自创伤性影片的剧照）总是在无效试验和中性控制刺激期间呈现，而中性控制刺激总是在有效试验期间呈现。这种线索 - 位置关联的目的是强化注意力远离影片提示物的方向。对照组参与者（n = 23）进行了类似的训练，但没有这种关联。训练后的加工偏差通过单一目标快速序列视觉呈现（RSVP）任务进行评估，在该任务中，创伤性影片提示物作为与任务无关的干扰物，在中性目标之前不久出现。与影片相关的侵入性记忆的频率记录在带回家的日记中以及观看影片三天后的随访环节中。接受注意力训练的参与者报告的与影片相关的侵入性记忆较少，并且与对照组相比，视觉影片干扰物造成的干扰也较小。讨论了对现实生活创伤后注意力偏差研究的启示。