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Evaluation ViewAttendees 5

Cognitive Science/ Cognitive Processes
Session Type:: Symposia

Symposium 54 - Real world applications of digital interventions utilizing Cognitive Bias Modification

Sunday, November 23, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM CST
Location: Celestin D&E, Level 3
CE: 1.5

Keywords: Cognitive Biases / Distortions, Technology / Mobile Health, Anxiety
Level of Familiarity: Moderate to Advanced
Recommended Readings: Cognitive Bias Modification in Internet-Based Interventions for Mood, Anxiety, and Substance Use Disorders. In D. Mucić & D. M. Hilty (Eds.), Digital Mental Health: The Future is Now (pp. 351–377). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-59936-1_14,   Jones, E. B., & Sharpe, L. (2017). Cognitive bias modification: A review of meta-analyses. Journal of Affective Disorders, 223, 175–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.07.034,   Martinelli, A., Grüll, J., & Baum, C. (2022). Attention and interpretation cognitive bias change: A systematic review and meta-analysis of bias modification paradigms. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 157, 104180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2022.104180,   ,  

Cognitive Bias Modification of interpretations (CBM-I) and attention (CBM-A) has a wealth of research supporting its efficacy in addressing cognitive biases associated with negative mental health outcomes. Changes in these cognitive biases have demonstrated a reduction in symptoms for anxiety, depression, and OCD (though some studies report null findings). While research has demonstrated the efficacy of CBM interventions, the next step in this field of research is to 1) study the implementation of CBM interventions in real-world settings (e.g., in the individual’s home, in residential treatment facilities), and 2) address factors relevant to the implementation of CBM interventions such as engagement, attrition, and cultural adaptations.
First, we will present data that test the effects of home-based CBM interventions for anxious parents and youth. A principal investigator from an academic medical center will begin by describing a randomized control trial comparing the use of an app-based CBM-I intervention and Symptom Tracking to modify interpretation bias and thereby decrease anxiety symptoms in anxious parents. A psychology professor will share two-year follow-up data from a computer-based CBM-A intervention for adolescents and discuss the impact of parents’ anxiety on long-term follow-up. Together, these talks will demonstrate the use of CBM as an accessible intervention for addressing anxiety in children and parents and speak to the interplay between parent and child mental health. Next, we will present a series of studies that assess factors relevant to the implementation of CBM interventions in the real world: engagement, attrition, cultural adaptations, and using CBM as an augmentation strategy. A research director from an intensive OCD residential treatment program will present on the feasibility and acceptability of smartphone based CBM-I intervention to augment Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for adults with OCD. A doctoral student will present on participant-level predictors of engagement with an app-based CBM-I intervention for adults in the general U.S. population. Finally, a doctoral student will discuss qualitative feedback on a translated and culturally tailored app-based CBM-I intervention for anxious Hispanic adults. Our discussant, a psychology professor and expert on cognitive bias modification and implementation science, will conclude the symposium by synthesizing findings across presentations and discussing future directions.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the learner will be able to:
  1. Discuss evidenced-based methods for the implementation of digital CBM interventions into real-world settings.
  2. Address factors relevant to the implementation of CBM interventions such as duration of effects, high attrition rates, and cultural adaptations.
  3. Convey the importance of using of both quantitative and qualitative methods in researching the implementation of digital interventions.

Presentations:

  • 12:05 PM - 12:22 PM CST
    (SYM 54) A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Interpretation Bias Modification Smartphone App
    for Anxious Parents

    Speaker: Courtney Beard, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School

    Co-author: Kobe L. Huynh, B.A. – McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School

    Co-author: Zelda C. McGhee, B.S. – McLean Hospital

    Co-author: Gabriela Kovarsky Rotta, B.A. – McLean Hospital

    Co-author: Doah E. Shin, B.A. – McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School

    Co-author: Alexandra L. Silverman, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School

  • 12:22 PM - 12:39 PM CST
    (SYM 54) Precision Medicine: Modulating a Biomarker of Anxiety Using Attention Bias Modification, a 2-year Follow up Study

    Speaker: Nader Amir, Ph.D. – San Diego State University

    Co-author: Olivia M. Wallace, B.S. – San Diego State University

    Co-author: Jennie M. Kuckertz, Ph.D. – McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School

  • 12:39 PM - 12:56 PM CST
    (SYM 54) Feasibility and Acceptability of an Adjunctive Smartphone-based Cognitive Bias Intervention During Intensive/residential OCD Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    Speaker: Martha J. Falkenstein, PhD (she/her/hers) – McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School

    Co-author: Lauren Oh, BA (she/her/hers) – McLean Hospital

    Co-author: Mira S. Becker, BA (she/her/hers) – McLean Hospital

    Co-author: Heather S. Martin, B.A. – University of Massachusetts Boston

    Co-author: Christian A. Webb, Ph.D. – Harvard Medical School & McLean Hospital

    Co-author: Sabine Wilhelm, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Massachusetts General Hospital

    Co-author: Courtney Beard, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School

    Co-author: Martha J. Falkenstein, PhD (she/her/hers) – McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School

  • 12:56 PM - 1:13 PM CST
    (SYM 54) Participant-level Predictors of Engagement with a Smartphone-delivered Interpretation Bias Intervention

    Speaker: IreLee Ferguson, B.S. (she/her/hers) – University of Vermont

    Co-author: Gabriela Kovarsky Rotta, B.A. – McLean Hospital

    Co-author: Doah E. Shin, B.A. – McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School

    Co-author: Courtney Beard, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School

    Co-author: Shari Steinman, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – University of Vermont

  • 1:13 PM - 1:30 PM CST
    (SYM 54) User Perceptions of a Culturally Tailored Digital Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretation Program for Anxious Hispanic Individuals

    Speaker: Taylor Myers-Brower, M.A. (she/her/hers) – University of Virginia

    Co-author: Taylor Myers-Brower, M.A. (she/her/hers) – University of Virginia

    Co-author: Emilú Englander-Fuentes, B.A. (she/her/hers) – University of Virginia

    Co-author: Valentina Mendoza Gonzalez, B.A. (she/her/hers) – University of Virginia

    Co-author: Mark Rucker, M.S. – University of Virginia

    Co-author: Laura A. Barnes, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – University of Virginia

    Co-author: Kaitlyn D. Petz, B.A. (she/her/hers) – University of Virginia

    Co-author: Bethany Teachman, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – University of Virginia