Abstract
Cognitive bias, a specific pattern of information processing such as interpretation of ambiguous information in a negative way and captured attention to negative stimulus, is often seen in anxious and depressive individuals. Such cognitive biases have been considered to lead clinically significant anxiety and depression. A cognitive bias modification program (CBM) that aims to modify a cognitive bias thereby reducing anxiety and depression has been developed by transforming a computer-based program used for cognitive bias measurement. A recent meta- analysis has revealed that the CBM does have an effect of alleviating anxiety and depression and that its effect is largely influenced by programming parameters (e. g., duration of stimulus presentation and types of stimulus). In this review, based on recent meta- analytic findings on a relationship between cognitive bias and anxiety/depression, we will provide optimal parameters for methodological elaboration of existing cognitive bias measurement programs and eventually for further development of CBMs.
