Brain training or placebo? new study tests computer game for social anxiety
NCT ID NCT07666776
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at whether a computer-based attention training program can help adults with social anxiety disorder. Participants will complete eight sessions over four weeks, either doing the active training or a placebo version. The goal is to see if the training reduces anxiety symptoms and whether any improvement is due to the training itself or just the expectation of getting better.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- computerized attention training (dot-probe attention bias modification)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could show that attention training helps ease social anxiety, and clarify whether the benefits come from the training itself or from expecting to feel better.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with only 90 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The training is brief (8 sessions over 4 weeks), and any improvements might be due to placebo effects rather than the training.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ATTENTION BIAS MODIFICATION TREATMENT (ABMT) are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Tel Aviv university
RECRUITINGTel Aviv, Israel
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can rewiring fear expectations stop anxiety from coming back?
- Rewiring the anxious brain: can a phone app turn down social fear?
- Mind over muscle: could a sugar pill boost your workout like caffeine?
- Mind over muscle: could a fake pill enhance Real-World athletic performance?
- Warm-up secrets: can a fake workout boost athletic performance?
- Can an AI chatbot cure social anxiety? new study tests smartphone therapy