Attention Bias Modification Treatment for children with anxiety disorders who do not respond to cognitive behavioral therapy: a case series

•We conducted an open trial of Attention Bias Modification Treatment (ABMT).•Six child CBT non-responders with anxiety disorders participated.•Each child completed eight sessions of ABMT without cancelations or absences.•Anxiety severity significantly decreased from pre-treatment to posttreatment.•Feasibility and promise of ABMT as an adjuvant treatment was supported.

Evidence is emerging to support the promise of Attention Bias Modification Treatment (ABMT), a computer-based attention training program, in reducing anxiety in children. ABMT has not been tested as an adjuvant for children with anxiety disorders who do not respond to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This case series presents findings from an open trial of ABMT among six children (four girls; M age = 11.2 years) who completed a CBT protocol and continued to meet diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. All children completed the ABMT protocol with no canceled or missed sessions. Child self-ratings on anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms significantly decreased from pretreatment to posttreatment, as did parent ratings on child anxiety-related impairment. Parent ratings on child anxiety and internalizing symptoms displayed non-significant decreases from pretreatment to posttreatment. These findings support the potential promise of ABMT as a feasible adjuvant treatment that reduces anxiety and impairment among child anxiety CBT nonresponders.