Antianxiety effect and mechanisms of cognitive bias modification

Negative cognitive bias is closely linked with the production and development of anxiety disorder.Recently, cognitive bias modification (CBM) has been developed to correct negative cognitive bias in anxiety.By retrieving literature researches, this paper analyzed the progress of cognitive bias modification intervention.Seventy-one literatures published in the last decade and with key words of cognitive bias and anxiety were included.Attentional bias modification and interpretation bias modification are the most useful treatment which could improve negative cognitive bias, however the controversial remains about the training effect of CBM on anxiety symptoms.Researchers have found positive results when cognitive bias modification and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) are combined to treat anxiety disorder.Researches on the brain mechanism of cognitive bias modification provide the neurophysiological basis for the occurrence of the intervention. Cognitive bias modification help to improve negative cognitive bias in anxiety.Combination of CBM and CBT is an effective method of anxiety treatment. Key words: Anxiety; Cognitive bias; Cognitive bias modification; Attentional bias modification; Interpretational bias modification