Trial Outcomes & Findings for Investigating Fear Of Recurrence as a Modifiable Mechanism of Behavior Change (NCT NCT03853213)

Last Updated: 2021-09-17

Results Overview

This 19-item self-report scale measures fear of recurrence of ACS events. It uses a 5-point Likert scale (0 to 4). It has three subscales: health worries (items 1-11; subscale range: 0-44), role worries (items 12-17: subscale range: 0-24), and death worries (items 18-19: subscale range: 0-8). The total score is computed as the sum of all items in the scale (total score range: 0 to 76). Higher total scores indicate greater fear of recurrence. The study will test whether there is a larger Time-1-to-Time-2 reduction in Concerns about Recurrence total scores for the intervention group relative to the control group. The outcome for each group is computed as mean of the difference of the Time-2 score minus the Time-1 score. This is the sole primary outcome because the trial design was statistically powered to reduce FoR.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

Target enrollment

26 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Pre-Training/Time 1, Post-Training/Time 2 (approximately 4 weeks apart)

Results posted on

2021-09-17

Participant Flow

English and Spanish-speaking patients with Elevated Threat Perception Scores were recruited for enrollment from a parent study after a suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) event. Patients were recruited both in hospital (on cardiac floors), as well as at home or in-clinic after discharge.

Twenty-six patients consented to the study. After consent, all participants were asked to complete a baseline questionnaire and a brief training with a demo tablet. Two participants decided to withdraw from the study, and four participants were administratively withdrawn by the PI as they were determined to be unable to comply with protocol (e.g., unable to complete tablet demo) and therefore not eligible for the study. These six participants were not assigned study groups.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure	Cognitive Bias Modification Training Participants in this intervention group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed to reinforce attention away from ACS threat-related stimuli (e.g., "death," "chest pain") and toward neutral stimuli (e.g., "curve," barn doors"). The second task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed to train participants to appraise ambiguous information that is potentially related to ACS threat as benign. Cognitive Bias Modification Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The letter appears in the neutral location on 90.6% of trials, thereby reinforcing participants' attending away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or phrase corresponding to a threatening (e.g., "dying") or benign (e.g., "sleep") interpretation of a sentence (e.g., "You have been waking up tired recently"). They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback ("Correct") is given for rejected threat interpretations and for benign interpretations. Otherwise, negative feedback ("Incorrect") is given.	Attention Control Training Participants in this placebo control group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed NOT to train attention toward or away from threatening or neutral information. The second task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed NOT to train the interpretation of information as either threatening or benign. Attention Control Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The target letter is equally likely to appear in the threat location as the neutral location. Thus, participants' patterns of attention are not trained toward or away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or short phrase corresponding to either a threatening or benign interpretation of a sentence that follows it. They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback and negative feedback are equally likely to be given regardless of whether participants endorse the threatening or benign interpretations.
Overall Study STARTED	11	9
Overall Study COMPLETED	10	7
Overall Study NOT COMPLETED	1	2

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure	Cognitive Bias Modification Training Participants in this intervention group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed to reinforce attention away from ACS threat-related stimuli (e.g., "death," "chest pain") and toward neutral stimuli (e.g., "curve," barn doors"). The second task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed to train participants to appraise ambiguous information that is potentially related to ACS threat as benign. Cognitive Bias Modification Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The letter appears in the neutral location on 90.6% of trials, thereby reinforcing participants' attending away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or phrase corresponding to a threatening (e.g., "dying") or benign (e.g., "sleep") interpretation of a sentence (e.g., "You have been waking up tired recently"). They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback ("Correct") is given for rejected threat interpretations and for benign interpretations. Otherwise, negative feedback ("Incorrect") is given.	Attention Control Training Participants in this placebo control group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed NOT to train attention toward or away from threatening or neutral information. The second task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed NOT to train the interpretation of information as either threatening or benign. Attention Control Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The target letter is equally likely to appear in the threat location as the neutral location. Thus, participants' patterns of attention are not trained toward or away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or short phrase corresponding to either a threatening or benign interpretation of a sentence that follows it. They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback and negative feedback are equally likely to be given regardless of whether participants endorse the threatening or benign interpretations.
Overall Study Extenuating Circumstances (COVID-19 pandemic)	1	0
Overall Study Other (e.g., too busy)	0	2

Baseline Characteristics

Investigating Fear Of Recurrence as a Modifiable Mechanism of Behavior Change

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure	Cognitive Bias Modification Training n=11 Participants Participants in this intervention group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed to reinforce attention away from ACS threat-related stimuli (e.g., "death," "chest pain") and toward neutral stimuli (e.g., "curve," barn doors"). The second task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed to train participants to appraise ambiguous information that is potentially related to ACS threat as benign. Cognitive Bias Modification Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The letter appears in the neutral location on 90.6% of trials, thereby reinforcing participants' attending away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or phrase corresponding to a threatening (e.g., "dying") or benign (e.g., "sleep") interpretation of a sentence (e.g., "You have been waking up tired recently"). They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback ("Correct") is given for rejected threat interpretations and for benign interpretations. Otherwise, negative feedback ("Incorrect") is given.	Attention Control Training n=9 Participants Participants in this placebo control group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed NOT to train attention toward or away from threatening or neutral information. The second task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed NOT to train the interpretation of information as either threatening or benign. Attention Control Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The target letter is equally likely to appear in the threat location as the neutral location. Thus, participants' patterns of attention are not trained toward or away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or short phrase corresponding to either a threatening or benign interpretation of a sentence that follows it. They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback and negative feedback are equally likely to be given regardless of whether participants endorse the threatening or benign interpretations.	Total n=20 Participants Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous	60.00 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.20 • n=5 Participants	59.88 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.69 • n=7 Participants	60.00 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.20 • n=5 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized Sex · Male	5 Participants n=5 Participants	5 Participants n=7 Participants	10 Participants n=5 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized Sex · Female	6 Participants n=5 Participants	4 Participants n=7 Participants	10 Participants n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Hispanic or Latino	6 Participants n=5 Participants	4 Participants n=7 Participants	10 Participants n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Not Hispanic or Latino	5 Participants n=5 Participants	5 Participants n=7 Participants	10 Participants n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) American Indian or Alaska Native	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Asian	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Black or African American	3 Participants n=5 Participants	1 Participants n=7 Participants	4 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) White	2 Participants n=5 Participants	3 Participants n=7 Participants	5 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) More than one race	0 Participants n=5 Participants	0 Participants n=7 Participants	0 Participants n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB) Unknown or Not Reported	6 Participants n=5 Participants	5 Participants n=7 Participants	11 Participants n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment United States	11 participants n=5 Participants	9 participants n=7 Participants	20 participants n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre-Training/Time 1, Post-Training/Time 2 (approximately 4 weeks apart)

Population: The number of participants analyzed is the number of participants who completed Visit 1 and Visit 2 such that the change score outcome could be computed. Only the subjects that completed both visits were included in the analysis (10 out of 11 subjects in intervention group and 7 out of 9 subjects in placebo group).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Cognitive Bias Modification Training n=10 Participants Participants in this intervention group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed to reinforce attention away from ACS threat-related stimuli (e.g., "death," "chest pain") and toward neutral stimuli (e.g., "curve," barn doors"). The second task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed to train participants to appraise ambiguous information that is potentially related to ACS threat as benign. Cognitive Bias Modification Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The letter appears in the neutral location on 90.6% of trials, thereby reinforcing participants' attending away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or phrase corresponding to a threatening (e.g., "dying") or benign (e.g., "sleep") interpretation of a sentence (e.g., "You have been waking up tired recently"). They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback ("Correct") is given for rejected threat interpretations and for benign interpretations. Otherwise, negative feedback ("Incorrect") is given.	Attention Control Training n=7 Participants Participants in this placebo control group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed NOT to train attention toward or away from threatening or neutral information. The second task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed NOT to train the interpretation of information as either threatening or benign. Attention Control Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The target letter is equally likely to appear in the threat location as the neutral location. Thus, participants' patterns of attention are not trained toward or away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or short phrase corresponding to either a threatening or benign interpretation of a sentence that follows it. They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback and negative feedback are equally likely to be given regardless of whether participants endorse the threatening or benign interpretations.
Change in Total Score for Concerns About Recurrence Scale [Adapted for Acute Coronary Syndrome]	-5.40 change in score on a scale Standard Deviation 19.55	-2.86 change in score on a scale Standard Deviation 3.93

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Post-Training/Time 2 (approximately 4 weeks after Time 1)

Population: The number of participants analyzed is the number of participants who completed Visit 2 such that the outcome score could be computed. Only the subjects that completed this questionnaire at Visit 2 were included in the analysis (7 out of 11 subjects in intervention group and 6 out of 9 subjects in placebo group).

The self-reported scale called the Extent of and Reasons for Nonadherence Scale \[Adapted\] measures how often participants do not take their prescribed medication and the reasons that they were nonadherent (e.g., forgot, out of routine, feeling down or upset). The measure of extent of nonadherence is the total of 3 items in the extent portion of the scale such that higher scores represent greater nonadherence (total score range: 3-15). The study will test whether there are lower self-reported extent of nonadherence scores for the intervention group relative to the control group at time 2. (Because not all participants are expected at time 1 to have been already taking the particular heart medication assessed in the study, the self-reported questions about medication adherence are only administered at time 2.)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Cognitive Bias Modification Training n=7 Participants Participants in this intervention group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed to reinforce attention away from ACS threat-related stimuli (e.g., "death," "chest pain") and toward neutral stimuli (e.g., "curve," barn doors"). The second task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed to train participants to appraise ambiguous information that is potentially related to ACS threat as benign. Cognitive Bias Modification Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The letter appears in the neutral location on 90.6% of trials, thereby reinforcing participants' attending away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or phrase corresponding to a threatening (e.g., "dying") or benign (e.g., "sleep") interpretation of a sentence (e.g., "You have been waking up tired recently"). They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback ("Correct") is given for rejected threat interpretations and for benign interpretations. Otherwise, negative feedback ("Incorrect") is given.	Attention Control Training n=6 Participants Participants in this placebo control group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed NOT to train attention toward or away from threatening or neutral information. The second task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed NOT to train the interpretation of information as either threatening or benign. Attention Control Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The target letter is equally likely to appear in the threat location as the neutral location. Thus, participants' patterns of attention are not trained toward or away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or short phrase corresponding to either a threatening or benign interpretation of a sentence that follows it. They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback and negative feedback are equally likely to be given regardless of whether participants endorse the threatening or benign interpretations.
Total Score for Self-reported Extent of Nonadherence to Medication From the Extent of and Reasons for Nonadherence Scale [Adapted]	11.71 score on a scale Standard Deviation 4.39	7.83 score on a scale Standard Deviation 3.92

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre-Training/Time 1, Post-Training/Time 2 (approximately 4 weeks apart)

Population: The number of participants analyzed is the number of participants who completed Visit 1 and Visit 2 such that the change score outcome could be computed. Only the subjects that completed this questionnaire at both visits were included in the analysis (9 out of 11 subjects in intervention group and 7 out of 9 subjects in placebo group).

This 7-item self-report scale measures the extent to which participants engaged in physical activity at a variety of intensity levels during the last week. Higher scores represent greater total metabolic equivalent of task (MET) minutes of physical activity per week based on the following estimates: 3.3 MET units for walking, 4.4 MET units for moderate activity, 8 MET units for vigorous activity. The study will test whether there is a larger Time-1-to-Time-2 increase in total scores on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (units: MET minutes/week) for the intervention group relative to the control group. The outcome for each group is computed as mean of the difference of the Time-2 score minus the Time-1 score.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Cognitive Bias Modification Training n=9 Participants Participants in this intervention group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed to reinforce attention away from ACS threat-related stimuli (e.g., "death," "chest pain") and toward neutral stimuli (e.g., "curve," barn doors"). The second task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed to train participants to appraise ambiguous information that is potentially related to ACS threat as benign. Cognitive Bias Modification Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The letter appears in the neutral location on 90.6% of trials, thereby reinforcing participants' attending away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or phrase corresponding to a threatening (e.g., "dying") or benign (e.g., "sleep") interpretation of a sentence (e.g., "You have been waking up tired recently"). They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback ("Correct") is given for rejected threat interpretations and for benign interpretations. Otherwise, negative feedback ("Incorrect") is given.	Attention Control Training n=7 Participants Participants in this placebo control group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed NOT to train attention toward or away from threatening or neutral information. The second task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed NOT to train the interpretation of information as either threatening or benign. Attention Control Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The target letter is equally likely to appear in the threat location as the neutral location. Thus, participants' patterns of attention are not trained toward or away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or short phrase corresponding to either a threatening or benign interpretation of a sentence that follows it. They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback and negative feedback are equally likely to be given regardless of whether participants endorse the threatening or benign interpretations.
Change in Total Score for the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in MET Minutes/Week	648.3 change in MET minutes/week Standard Deviation 3039.3	714.6 change in MET minutes/week Standard Deviation 2734.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre-Training/Time 1, Post-Training/Time 2 (approximately 4 weeks apart)

Population: The number of participants analyzed is the number of participants who completed Visit 1 and Visit 2 such that the change score outcome could be computed. Only the subjects that completed this questionnaire at both visit were included in the analysis (10 out of 11 subjects in intervention group and 7 out of 9 subjects in placebo group).

This self-report scale measures participants' ability to identify information about stressful situations that may be helpful for successfully and flexibly regulating unpleasant feelings of distress. In particular, the cue presence score reflects the sensitivity to the presence of meaningful contextual cues. This cue presence score is calculated as the sum of 10 relevant items from the scale. Greater cue presence scores indicate greater context sensitivity (cue presence score range: 10-77). The study will test whether there is a larger Time-1-to-Time-2 increase in cue presence scores on the Context Sensitivity Index for the intervention group relative to the control group. The outcome for each group is computed as mean of the difference of the Time-2 score minus the Time-1 score.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Cognitive Bias Modification Training n=10 Participants Participants in this intervention group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed to reinforce attention away from ACS threat-related stimuli (e.g., "death," "chest pain") and toward neutral stimuli (e.g., "curve," barn doors"). The second task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed to train participants to appraise ambiguous information that is potentially related to ACS threat as benign. Cognitive Bias Modification Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The letter appears in the neutral location on 90.6% of trials, thereby reinforcing participants' attending away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or phrase corresponding to a threatening (e.g., "dying") or benign (e.g., "sleep") interpretation of a sentence (e.g., "You have been waking up tired recently"). They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback ("Correct") is given for rejected threat interpretations and for benign interpretations. Otherwise, negative feedback ("Incorrect") is given.	Attention Control Training n=7 Participants Participants in this placebo control group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed NOT to train attention toward or away from threatening or neutral information. The second task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed NOT to train the interpretation of information as either threatening or benign. Attention Control Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The target letter is equally likely to appear in the threat location as the neutral location. Thus, participants' patterns of attention are not trained toward or away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or short phrase corresponding to either a threatening or benign interpretation of a sentence that follows it. They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback and negative feedback are equally likely to be given regardless of whether participants endorse the threatening or benign interpretations.
Change in Cue Presence Score for the Context Sensitivity Index	0.60 change in score on a scale Standard Deviation 12.59	-5.57 change in score on a scale Standard Deviation 9.36

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Pre-Training/Time 1, Post-Training/Time 2 (approximately 4 weeks apart)

Population: Only the subjects that completed this questionnaire at both visit were included in the analysis (10 out of 11 subjects in intervention group and 7 out of 9 subjects in placebo group).

This 10-item self-reported scale measures participants' perceptions of their own futures as either limited (lower scores) or expansive (higher scores). The total score is the sum of all 10 items after three of the items (8-10) have been reverse-coded (total score range: 10-77). The study will test whether there is a larger Time-1-to-Time-2 increase in Future Time Perspective total scores for the intervention group relative to the control group. The outcome for each group is computed as mean of the difference of the Time-2 score minus the Time-1 score.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Cognitive Bias Modification Training n=10 Participants Participants in this intervention group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed to reinforce attention away from ACS threat-related stimuli (e.g., "death," "chest pain") and toward neutral stimuli (e.g., "curve," barn doors"). The second task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed to train participants to appraise ambiguous information that is potentially related to ACS threat as benign. Cognitive Bias Modification Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The letter appears in the neutral location on 90.6% of trials, thereby reinforcing participants' attending away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or phrase corresponding to a threatening (e.g., "dying") or benign (e.g., "sleep") interpretation of a sentence (e.g., "You have been waking up tired recently"). They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback ("Correct") is given for rejected threat interpretations and for benign interpretations. Otherwise, negative feedback ("Incorrect") is given.	Attention Control Training n=7 Participants Participants in this placebo control group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed NOT to train attention toward or away from threatening or neutral information. The second task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed NOT to train the interpretation of information as either threatening or benign. Attention Control Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The target letter is equally likely to appear in the threat location as the neutral location. Thus, participants' patterns of attention are not trained toward or away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or short phrase corresponding to either a threatening or benign interpretation of a sentence that follows it. They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback and negative feedback are equally likely to be given regardless of whether participants endorse the threatening or benign interpretations.
Change in Total Score for Future Time Perspective Scale	2.30 change in score on a scale Standard Deviation 11.84	-2.77 change in score on a scale Standard Deviation 14.12

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Up to 2 months (starting after Pre-Training/Time 1 and extending for approximately 4 weeks after Post-Training/Time 2)

Population: Only the subjects that used the eCAP device to monitor their heart medication adherence were included in the analysis (9 out of 11 subjects in intervention group and 6 out of 9 subjects in placebo group).

Participants' post-hospitalization medication adherence is measured objectively through electronically recorded pill bottle openings using the eCAP device (Information Mediary Corp., Ottawa, Canada). The measure is operationalized as the percentage of adherent days. The study will test whether there is a higher percentage of adherent days across the entire study monitoring period for the intervention group relative to the control group.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure	Cognitive Bias Modification Training n=9 Participants Participants in this intervention group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed to reinforce attention away from ACS threat-related stimuli (e.g., "death," "chest pain") and toward neutral stimuli (e.g., "curve," barn doors"). The second task is Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed to train participants to appraise ambiguous information that is potentially related to ACS threat as benign. Cognitive Bias Modification Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The letter appears in the neutral location on 90.6% of trials, thereby reinforcing participants' attending away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or phrase corresponding to a threatening (e.g., "dying") or benign (e.g., "sleep") interpretation of a sentence (e.g., "You have been waking up tired recently"). They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback ("Correct") is given for rejected threat interpretations and for benign interpretations. Otherwise, negative feedback ("Incorrect") is given.	Attention Control Training n=6 Participants Participants in this placebo control group complete two tasks, each repeated 8 times over the course of 4 weeks (twice per week). The first task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Attention. It is designed NOT to train attention toward or away from threatening or neutral information. The second task is the placebo version of Cognitive Bias Modification Training for Interpretation. It is designed NOT to train the interpretation of information as either threatening or benign. Attention Control Training: In task 1, participants view a pair of threat-neutral words and then a single letter (E or F). Participants' task is to tap a button as quickly and accurately as possible to indicate whether they see E or F. The target letter is equally likely to appear in the threat location as the neutral location. Thus, participants' patterns of attention are not trained toward or away from threat. In task 2, participants view a word or short phrase corresponding to either a threatening or benign interpretation of a sentence that follows it. They are asked to tap a button to indicate whether the word or phrase was related to the sentence. Positive feedback and negative feedback are equally likely to be given regardless of whether participants endorse the threatening or benign interpretations.
Percentage of Adherent Days to Medication (Aspirin, Beta-blocker, or Statin)	61.78 percentage of days Standard Deviation 35.38	78.83 percentage of days Standard Deviation 24.77

Adverse Events

Cognitive Bias Modification Training

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Attention Control Training

Serious events: 0 serious events

Other events: 0 other events

Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Dr. Jeffrey Birk

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Phone: 212-342-5503

Email: [email protected]

Results disclosure agreements

Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
Publication restrictions are in place