N/A
N=95
The Impact of the Attention Training Technique on Attention Control and High Worry
Excessive Worry
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03216382 ↗Enrolled (actual)
95
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Jul 2021
Primary outcome: Primary: Breathing Focus Task -Negative Intrusions — 2.85; 2.55; 2.45; 2.26 score on a scale — p=.93
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- Attention Training Technique (Behavioral); Control Condition (Behavioral)
- Age
- Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- Primary completion
- Jun 2019
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Breathing Focus Task -Negative Intrusions |
2.85; 2.55; 2.45; 2.26; 1.79; 1.64 | .93 |
| PRIMARY Daily Worry Questions |
3.66; 3.15; 3.56; 3.63; 2.86; 3.34 | .74 |
| SECONDARY Penn State Worry Questionnaire-Past Week |
71.91; 72.72; 67.38; 67.51; 61.06; 63.07 | .17 |
| SECONDARY Self-Attention Rating Scale |
3.72; 3.56; 3.11; 3.11; 3.18; 3.69 | .50 |
| SECONDARY Attention Network Task (ANT) |
104.60; 108.82; 80.02; 85.58; 80.51; 76.76 | .46 |
| SECONDARY Metacognition Questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30) Cognitive Self Consciousness Subscale |
17.21; 17.84; 17.56; 18.02; 16.65; 17.82 | .53 |
| SECONDARY Metacognitions Questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30) Negative Beliefs About the Uncontrollability of Thoughts and Danger Subscale |
17.68; 18.07; 17.00; 17.84; 15.21; 17.36 | .07 |
| SECONDARY Attention Control Scale |
47.59; 44.09; 46.62; 44.61; 49.17; 46.72 | .58 |
| SECONDARY Dot Probe |
6.78; -1.75; 2.14; -2.42; 0.65; -5.83 | .86 |
| SECONDARY Southampton Mindfulness Questionnaire |
36.09; 32.21; 36.38; 34.77; 43.88; 38.68 | .39 |
Summary
Excessive and uncontrollable worry has been associated with deficits in attention control. The Attention Training Technique (ATT; Wells, 1990) is a 12-minute audio recording that was developed to train attention control, so that individuals could learn to shift their attention away from maladaptive cognitive processes such as worry. The technique has shown to be promising at reducing symptoms across a variety of mental disorders (Knowles, Foden, El-Deredy, & Wells, 2016) and is recommended for use in people who suffer from chronic worry. To date, little research has been conducted examining the benefits of using this technique in such a population. The present study aims to examine the immediate and short term effects of weekly ATT practice, compared to a control condition, in a population that suffers from high levels of worry about a variety of topics. About one-hundred participants who suffer from chronic worry will be randomly assigned to listen to the ATT or a control recording, every day for a week. Changes in attention control, worry, and cognitive processes will be examined over the course of the intervention period.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Score of 65 or higher on the Penn State Worry Questionnaire.
- Endorsement of chronic worry as per the description of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
Exclusion Criteria
- Has current or past history of psychosis or mania, or endorse symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of a substance use disorder in the past 12 months
- Report clinically significant suicidal ideation, intent, or plan
- Participants will be excluded if they are currently receiving psychological treatment or counseling (e.g., cognitive behaviour therapy, supportive counseling, etc.), unless this treatment is infrequent (once monthly or less) or the participant has been receiving consistent weekly treatment for at least 12 weeks and still meets all other eligibility criteria
- Are taking psychotropic medications and have had a change in dose in the past 12 weeks. If they have recently discontinued a psychotropic medication, they will be included if it has been at least 1 month since discontinuation, or 3 months if they had been taking fluoxetine/Prozac. If a participant is taking benzodiazepines on an 'as needed' basis they will be included and their use of this medication will be noted. Daily benzodiazepine usage will exclude participants, and if participants have ever taken benzodiazepines daily, they must be abstinent for at least one year.
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03216382). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.