Attentional bias in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A preliminary eye-tracking study

Attentional biases have been overlooked as a treatment focus in CBT practice. This pilot study examined patterns of attentional bias an OCD clinical sample with view to understanding the key mechanisms order inform assessment and intervention. It was hypothesised that individuals would demonstrate vigilance, delayed disengagement, maintenance towards OCD-related stimuli relative matched control group. Participants ( n = 16) were compared healthy controls by age gender. Vigilance, disengagement measured recording eye-movements during free gaze task which pairs neutral-OCD neutral-aversive images presented. The group demonstrated no evidence vigilance or toward but did exhibit and, lesser extent, general aversive images. Clinical implications include patient aid interventions.