Eye-tracking attentional therapy to reduce PTSD symptoms

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Eye-tracking Assisted Attentional Bias Reduction Therapy on Reducing Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

This trial tests whether adding eye-tracking to attention-control training can reduce PTSD symptoms in French-speaking adults with PTSD.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 140 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 60 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University Hospital, Lille (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Lille)
• Trial ID: NCT05331534 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The protocol compares an eye-tracking–assisted attention control training that specifically targets sustained attention to negative stimuli with a standard attention control training in adults meeting DSM-5 PTSD criteria. Participants are screened with CAPS and PCL-5 and must have normal or corrected vision and hearing and be able to consent in French. The eye-tracking version provides real-time measurement and feedback to interrupt pathological sustained attention to negative images, while the control uses conventional attention tasks without eye-tracking. Symptom measures and eye-tracking attention metrics are collected before and after the intervention to determine whether the targeted approach leads to greater symptom reduction.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults who meet DSM-5 criteria for PTSD, speak French, have normal or corrected vision and hearing, hold health insurance, and can give informed consent are the intended participants.

Not a fit: People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have neurological disorders, active substance use (other than tobacco/alcohol), significant psychiatric comorbidity, sensory impairments, or who cannot attend sessions in Lille are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a non-drug therapy that reduces PTSD symptoms by retraining attention away from negative stimuli.

How similar studies have performed: Previous attention-bias modification studies have shown mixed results, while eye-tracking–assisted targeting of sustained bias is relatively novel with some preliminary promising data.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Understanding and able to express themselves in French
* Giving informed consent, by dating and signing the study participation form
* Having health insurance coverage
* Normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing
* DSM-5 PTSD criteria, assessed using the CAPS and PCL-5

Exclusion Criteria:

* Minors or adults under guardianship, under judicial protection, persons deprived of liberty
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women
* Refusal to participate after being clearly and fairly informed about the study
* Sensory, visual or auditory incapacity to participate in the study
* Personal history of neurological disorder or current neurological disorder
* Use of drugs other than tobacco and alcohol
* Alcohol use on the day of experimentation
* Personal history of psychiatric disorders or current psychiatric disorders other than anxiety, depressive, or trauma and stress disorders assessed at clinical interview and with MINI
* Personal history of multiple trauma in childhood
* Psychotropic medication treatment not stabilized over the past 4 weeks
* MOCA \< 26
* Contraindication to prolonged exposure therapy

Where this trial is running

Lille

• Hôpital Fontan 2 — Lille, France (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Guillaume Vaiva, MD,PhD — University Hospital, Lille
• Study coordinator: Guillaume VAIVA, MD,PhD

Conditions: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Attentional bias, Eye tracking, Attention Control Training