Published Research
Our game-based approach to the cognitive training technique Attention Bias Modification (ABM) has been widely published in leading peer-reviewed research journals.
Mobile Attention Bias Modification Training Is a Digital Health Solution for Managing Distress in Multiple Sclerosis
Charvet, L., George, A., Cho, H., Crupp, L.B. & Dennis-Tiwary, T. A. (2021)
Purpose
Proof-of-concept longitudinal study to investigate potential for game-based therapeutic targeting MS-related anxiety
Study Population
Patients (ages 12-24) with pediatric-onset Multiple Sclerosis
Administration
30 minutes per week over 4 weeks
Primary Endpoints
- Self-reported anxiety for adults (Beck Anxiety Inventory)
- Self-reported anxiety for youth (Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children)
- Self-reported mood (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule)
Results
38%
Reduction in adult self-reported anxiety (BAI)
20%
Reduction in youth self-reported anxiety (MASC)
15%
Reduction in negative affect (PANAS)
tDCS Augments the Effects of Gamified, Mobile Attention Bias Modification
Myruski, S., Cho, H., Bikson, M., & Dennis-Tiwary, T. A. (2021)
Purpose
Proof-of-concept study to investigate potential for combination treatment of neurostimulation and game-based intervention for anxiety.
Study Population
Adults with normal to moderate levels of anxiety measured by DASS-21
Administration
Single session in combination with tDCS neurostimulation headset; placebo tDCS arm
Primary Endpoints
- Self-reported anxiety (Analog Mood Scale)
- Cognitive signs of anxiety (Dot Probe Task Measure)
Results
41.6%
Reduction in self-reported anxiety (AMS)
257%
Reduction in cognitive signs of anxiety (DPTM)
A Single Session of Attentional Bias Modification Reduces Alcohol Craving and Implicit Measures of Alcohol Bias in Young Adult Drinkers
Luehring-Jone, P., Louis, C., Dennis-Tiwary, T. A., and Erblich, J. (2017)
Purpose
Proof-of-concept study to investigate potential for game-based intervention for alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Study Population
Adult alcohol drinkers with varied responses to Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and Obsessive-Compulsive Drinking Scale. Participants excluded if they drink less than three times per week.
Administration
Single session with placebo arm
Primary Endpoints
- Cue-induced alcohol craving
- Cognitive measures of preferential processing of alcohol-related information (Alcohol Stroop Task)
Results
40%
Reduction in alcohol cravings (CIAC)
293%
Reduction in alcohol-related attention bias (AST)
Salutary effects of an attention bias modification mobile application on biobehavioral measures of stress and anxiety during pregnancy
Dennis-Tiwary, T. A., Denefrio, S., and Gelber, S. (2017)
Purpose
Proof-of-concept longitudinal study to investigate potential for game-based therapeutic targeting pregnancy-related anxiety
Study Population
Patients aged 23-45 in their 19th-29th week of pregnancy
Administration
30 minutes per week for 4 weeks with placebo arm
Primary Endpoints
- Salivary cortisol following exposure to standardized stressor (AUC1)
- Cognitive signs of anxiety (Dot Probe Task Measure)
Results
9.4%
Reduction in stress hormone cortisol (AUC1)
491%
Reduction in cognitive signs of anxiety (DPTM)
For whom the bell tolls: Neurocognitive individual differences in the acute stress-reduction effects of an attention bias modification game for anxiety
Dennis-Tiwary, T. A.,Egan. L. J., Babkirk, S., and Denefrio, S. (2016)
Purpose
To map out individual cognitive differences among patient cohorts with high trait anxiety for game design optimization.
Study Population
Participants aged 18-38 with high trait anxiety, measured via State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Administration
Single session study with placebo arm
Primary Endpoints
- Cognitive control; event related potentials (ERPs) measured via Negative Deflection After Visual Stimulus (N2)
- Stress resilience measured via Trier Social Stress Test (TSST)
Results
147%
difference in male cognitive control vs. placebo (N2)
30%
difference in female stress resilience relative to placebo (TSST)
Mental Health on the Go: Effects of a Gamified Attention-Bias Modification Mobile Application in Trait Anxious Adults
Dennis-Tiwary, T. A., and O’Toole, L., J. (2014)
Purpose
Two randomized controlled trials conducted to optimize gameplay dosage and serve as proof of concept studies for individuals with high trait anxiety.
Study Population
Participants aged 18-38 with high trait anxiety, measured via State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Administration
Two separate single session studies at varying durations with placebo arms
Primary Endpoints
- Self-reported state anxiety measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
- Cognitive signs of anxiety (Dot Probe Task Measure)
Results
Short Study
8.9%
Reduction in anxiety (STAI)
Long Study
204%
Reduction in cognitive signs of anxiety (DPTM)
