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An Investigation into the Efficacy of a Single-Session Attention Bias Modification Program for Individuals with Chronic Pain
Conference presentation   Open access   Peer reviewed

An Investigation into the Efficacy of a Single-Session Attention Bias Modification Program for Individuals with Chronic Pain

Laura Johnson, Mary Katsikitis, Kate Mulgrew, Tania Morris, Rachael Sharman, Melanie White and Rosemary Crake
International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP): From crisis to sustainable well-being, 28th (Paris, France, 08-Jul-2014–13-Jul-2014)
International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP)
2014
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Abstract

Psychology attention bias modification attention modification attentional bias chronic pain intervention visual-probe task
Research has consistently identified those individuals experiencing chronic pain exhibit attentional biases towards pain (threat) stimuli in their environment, which tends to exacerbate and maintain the chronicity and severity of the current pain symptoms. Attentional bias modification (ABM) programs have previously been trialled in other forms of psychopathology, most notably depression and anxiety disorders, with benefits noted. To date, only two studies have trialled an ABM program with pain patients. The current study aimed to add to this emerging body of research. Specifically, this study examined the efficacy of a single-session attentional bias modification (ABM) program in reducing individuals' attentional bias to pain stimuli and improving pain-related clinical outcomes in a sample of chronic pain patients. Thirty two chronic pain patients were randomly allocated to receive either an ABM intervention that attempted to train attention away from pain stimuli or a similar task with no training contingency. Pre- and post-test measures of participants' attention bias to pain stimuli were collected. Following completion of the intervention, measures of participants' current pain ratings, mood, fear of pain, and pain catastrophising levels were completed. Participants who received the single-session ABM intervention did not show any significant changes from pre- to post-test in attention bias, compared to participants who received the placebo. Although no attention bias training effects were observed, participants who received the ABM intervention exhibited better clinical outcomes following treatment. Specifically, the ABM group reported significantly lower levels of current pain ratings, particularly lower affective pain symptoms, and pain catastrophising symptoms. This preliminary evidence investigating the utility of ABM interventions in chronic pain indicates that a single-session ABM intervention did not result in an immediate changes to attention biases, however may improve clinical outcomes for people with chronic pain. These results provide promising support for the clinical utility of ABM programs in chronic pain treatment.

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