Comparing traditional and gamified methods to improve attention in people with depression
Official title: Confirmatory Efficacy Trial of a Traditional vs. Gamified Attention Bias Modification for Depression
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11091606 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at two different ways to help adults with depression feel better—one is a traditional method, and the other is a fun mobile game—and we want to see which one works best in lifting their mood.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | July 20, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $629,984 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131750-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091606 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing elevated symptoms of depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have symptoms of depression or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of two different approaches to attention bias modification (ABM) for adults experiencing symptoms of depression. One approach uses a traditional method, while the other employs a gamified mobile application designed to make the process more engaging. Participants will be assessed for their symptoms of depression before and after using these methods, with the goal of determining which approach is more effective in reducing negative feelings. The study will involve a large group of adults to ensure robust results and will follow established guidelines for clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide new, more engaging treatment options for individuals suffering from depression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that traditional attention bias modification can be effective for depression, but the gamified approach is relatively novel and has not yet been fully tested for this purpose.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beevers, Christopher G — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Beevers, Christopher G
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.