Table_1_Neural correlates of the attention training technique as used in metacognitive therapy – A randomized sham-controlled fMRI study in healthy volunteers.DOCX

IntroductionThe Attention Training Technique (ATT) developed as part of metacognitive therapy is a psychotherapeutic treatment method used to enhance top-down attentional flexibility and control. This study investigated potential neurocognitive changes due to ATT and its underlying neural mechanisms using pre-to-post functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).Materials and methodsFifty-four healthy participants were subjected to a randomized, sham-controlled attention training and evaluated using a neurocognitive test battery that partly took place in an fMRI environment. Participants received two doses ATT or sham ATT daily for 1 week. On day eight, all subjects completed the neurocognitive test battery again.ResultsAfter the training, the ATT group showed a significant improvement in reaction times regarding attentional disengagement compared to the sham ATT group. fMRI data showed decreased levels of activation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) when comparing the ATT group to the sham ATT group during attentional disengagement post intervention. No ATT > sham ATT effects were found regarding selective auditory attention, working memory performance and inhibitory control.DiscussionThese findings putatively indicate that ATT facilitates faster attention allocation and increased attentional flexibility in healthy subjects. The fMRI results suggest this ATT-dependent improvement is accompanied by reduced ACC activity, indicating a more flexible attentional state.

引言：作为元认知疗法的一部分，注意力训练技术（ATT）是一种心理治疗方法，旨在提升自上而下的注意力灵活性及控制能力。本研究旨在探究ATT及其潜在的神经认知变化，并利用干预前后的功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）数据来揭示其神经机制。材料与方法：选取了54名健康参与者，在随机对照的假控制注意力训练下进行评估，并使用神经认知测试电池进行评估，其中部分测试在fMRI环境下进行。参与者每日接受两次ATT或假ATT的干预，持续一周。在第8天，所有受试者再次完成神经认知测试电池。结果：经过训练后，与假ATT组相比，ATT组在注意力转移的反应时间上表现出显著改善。fMRI数据显示，在注意力转移的干预后，与假ATT组相比，ATT组的额叶扣带回皮层（ACC）激活水平降低。在选择性听觉注意力、工作记忆表现和抑制控制方面，未发现ATT与假ATT之间存在显著差异。讨论：这些发现推测表明，ATT有助于提高健康受试者的注意力分配速度和增加注意力灵活性。fMRI结果提示，这种依赖于ATT的改善伴随着ACC活动的减少，表明了一种更为灵活的注意力状态。