Mental Health on the Go: Effects of a Gamified Attention Bias Modification Mobile Application in Trait Anxious Adults

Abstract

Interest in the use of mobile technology to deliver mental health services has grown in light of the economic and practical barriers to treatment. Yet, research on alternative delivery strategies that are more affordable, accessible, and engaging is in its infancy. Attention bias modification training (ABMT), has potential to reduce treatment barriers as a mobile intervention for stress and anxiety, but the degree to which ABMT can be embedded in a mobile gaming format and its potential for transfer of benefits is unknown. The present study examined effects of a gamified ABMT mobile application in highly trait anxious participants (N = 78). A single session of the active compared to placebo training reduced subjective anxiety and observed stress reactivity. Critically, the long (45 minutes) but not short (25 minutes) active training condition reduced the core cognitive process implicated in ABMT (threat bias) as measured by an untrained, gold-standard protocol.

Keywords: anxiety; attention bias modification training; gamification; mobile application; stress.

Figures

Figure 1

The dot probe task.

Figure 2

Screen shots of the app game play.

Figure 3

State anxiety before and after training.

Figure 4

For short training version of both the ABMT and PT conditions, pre- to post-training reductions in threat bias and in difficulty disengaging from threat were associated with lower levels of negative mood after the TSST (top row). Pre- to post-training reductions in difficulty disengaging from threat were also associated with less nervous speech during the TSST (bottom row).

Figure 4

For short training version of both the ABMT and PT conditions, pre- to post-training reductions in threat bias and in difficulty disengaging from threat were associated with lower levels of negative mood after the TSST (top row). Pre- to post-training reductions in difficulty disengaging from threat were also associated with less nervous speech during the TSST (bottom row).

Figure 4

For short training version of both the ABMT and PT conditions, pre- to post-training reductions in threat bias and in difficulty disengaging from threat were associated with lower levels of negative mood after the TSST (top row). Pre- to post-training reductions in difficulty disengaging from threat were also associated with less nervous speech during the TSST (bottom row).

Figure 5

For the long training version only, the association between training condition and post-TSST negative mood was moderated by changes in vigilance.