Attention Bias Modification for Social Anxiety Disorder: Does training help, or is it a placebo effect?

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized trial compares three groups of adults with generalized Social Anxiety Disorder: active dot-probe attention bias modification training, a placebo training, and a wait-list control. Participants complete eight training sessions over four weeks, with symptom changes assessed via clinical interviews and self-report measures before and after the intervention. The study also aims to disentangle the effects of attentional bias modification from nonspecific factors such as expectancy and engagement. Conducted at Tel Aviv University, the trial includes adults aged 18-65 with confirmed SAD and a LSAS score above 50, and excludes those with certain psychiatric or neurological conditions. Outcomes will inform whether ABM provides a specific therapeutic benefit beyond placebo in SAD.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* 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

Exclusion Criteria:

* 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

Where it's running

• Tel Aviv university
  Tel Aviv, Israel Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Yair Bar-Haim, PhD — Tel Aviv University
• Study coordinator: Yair Bar-Haim, PhD
• Email: yair1@tauex.tau.ac.il
• Phone: 97236405465

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.