在家執行的注意力偏誤訓練行動應用程式與穿戴裝置對類廣泛性焦慮疾患參與者之注意力控制能力、憂慮嚴重度、與心血管反應的訓練效果

The Effects of Home-Delivered Attention Bias Modification Training on the Attention Control Ability, Severity of Anxiety, and Cardiovascular Response of Participants with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

研究目的：在家執行之注意力偏誤操弄（home-delivered attention bias modification training, HD-ABM）可能改善廣泛性焦慮疾患（generalized anxiety disorder, GAD）的注意力控制與症狀。研究方法：本研究招募具GAD診斷之大學生，並分派至HD-ABM組（n = 15，女性11位；訓練參與者注意威脅刺激後轉而注意中性刺激）、安慰組（n = 15，女性10位；訓練程式之形式與HD-ABM組相同，但不特定訓練注意威脅或中性刺激）、與等待組（n = 14，女性9位）。前二組參與者透過注意力訓練行動應用程式（mobile application, app; 加入Posner線索作業（Posner cueing task）概念以著重注意力控制訓練）完成4週訓練；再由具光體積描計圖（photoplethysmogram, PPG）感應器的運動手錶（Zoetek），記錄心血管反應。每位參與者還需要定期進行症狀、注意力偏誤程度、注意力控制功能、以及心血管反應指標的測量。研究結果：HD-ABM組參與者、安慰組參與者在訓練後期都有顯著的執行控制能力增加，自評焦慮症狀降低、與心跳速率（heart rate, HR）降低現象；而HD-ABM組參與者的憂慮程度以及訓練期間的HR也顯著降低。研究結論：本研究進一步證實HD-ABM訓練可能有助於提升GAD病患的注意力控制功能，並反映在注意力偏誤程度、症狀、與心血管反應的改善。

Objective: This study explored whether home-delivered attention bias modification training (HD-ABM) can improve the attention control and symptoms of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Methods: University students diagnosed with GAD were assigned to one of three groups: the HD-ABM group (n = 15, 11 women), in which the participants were asked to shift their attention to neutral stimuli after they were exposed to threatening stimuli; the placebo group (n = 15; 10 women), in which no specific training targets were employed; and the waiting group (n = 14; 9 women). Participants in the HDABM and placebo groups completed a 4-week program using an attention training mobile application that incorporated a Posner cueing task to train attention control. During the program, their cardiovascular responses were recorded using a Zoetek sports watch equipped with a photoplethysmography sensor. All participants were examined regularly in terms of their symptoms, attention bias, attention control, and cardiovascular response indicators. Results: The executive control ability of the HD-ABM and placebo groups significantly improved in the later training period, and their self-reported anxiety level and heart rate were reduced. The anxiety level and heart rate of the HD-ABM group also decreased significantly during the training period. Conclusion: This study verified that HD-ABM can help patients with GAD improve their attention control, which alleviates their attention bias and symptoms and enhances their cardiovascular response.