Cognitive bias modification

Cognitive bias modification (CBM) refers to the process of modifying cognitive biases in healthy people and also refers to a growing area of psychological (non-pharmaceutical) therapies for anxiety, depression and addiction called cognitive bias modification therapy (CBMT). CBMT is sub-group of therapies within a growing area of psychological therapies based on modifying cognitive processes with or without accompanying medication and talk therapy, sometimes referred to as applied cognitive processing therapies (ACPT). Other ACPTs include attention training, interpretation modification, approach/avoid training, imagery modification training, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for PTSD. Cognitive bias modification (CBM) refers to the process of modifying cognitive biases in healthy people and also refers to a growing area of psychological (non-pharmaceutical) therapies for anxiety, depression and addiction called cognitive bias modification therapy (CBMT). CBMT is sub-group of therapies within a growing area of psychological therapies based on modifying cognitive processes with or without accompanying medication and talk therapy, sometimes referred to as applied cognitive processing therapies (ACPT). Other ACPTs include attention training, interpretation modification, approach/avoid training, imagery modification training, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy for PTSD. According to Yiend et al. 2013 in an article in the journal Cognitive Therapy Research, 'CBM treatments are a more convenient and flexible than other modes of treatment because they do not require meetings with a therapist. They offer the potential for delivery using modern technologies (e.g. internet or mobile phone) and require minimal supervision. They could therefore become highly cost effective and widely accessible. CBM methods are also less demanding and more acceptable to patients than traditional therapies. This is because personal thoughts and beliefs are not directly interrogated, and there is no need for social interaction or stigmatizing visits to outpatient clinics. Similarly, patient insight is not required because CBM seeks to target the underlying maintaining cognitive bias directly; therefore, patient engagement is likely to be easier. In sum, CBM methods offer a high gain, low cost treatment option because they can circumvent many of the practical and psychological requirements that disadvantage competing psychological interventions.' CBMT techniques are technology assisted therapies that are delivered via a computer with or without clinician support. CBM combines evidence and theory from the cognitive model of anxiety, cognitive neuroscience and attentional models. CBM can be seen as one version of attentional retraining. It has been described as a 'cognitive vaccine'. CBMT is a growing area of evidence-based psychological therapy, in which cognitive processes are modified in an effort to relieve suffering from mental illnesses such as: Some preliminary evidence indicates that CBM can change brain activity, moving prefrontal cortex activity more to the left side, which in turn is associated with more positive and happier thinking.