Attention training may ease depression, but the evidence is weak.

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   1,262 people with depression took part in 19 trials. Sixteen trials had adults, four had teenagers, and nine were in China.

2. 02

   What they did

   Each trial gave computer training that moves attention toward neutral or positive faces and words, alone or with usual treatment. The other groups got attention control training or usual treatment alone. Training ran from 1 to 28 sessions over 1 to 4 weeks.

3. 03

   What happened

   Attention training eased depression more than the other training did, though less once the weakest trials were dropped. Going over the same thoughts (rumination) also dropped more, but attention control showed no clear difference. The funnel plot suggests some results went unpublished, and the evidence is rated low or very low.

What the review found

1. No difference

   In two trials, attention training did not beat control training on attention control.

   • Action: Train yourself to approach taskstested

   Pooled analysis of 2 studies · vs people who did the control training · they rated themselves · the authors rated their certainty very low

Source