Cognitive Remediation and Bias Modification Strategies in Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Cognitive impairments and biases, which are prevalent in patients with mood and anxiety disorders, can affect quality of life and functioning. Traditional treatments are only insufficiently addressing these impairments and biases. We review the cognitive impairments and biases present in these disorders as well as treatments targeting these domains. Interventions aimed at improving cognitive impairments and biases may help improve cognitive deficits and overall functioning in patients with mood and anxiety disorders. Direct comparisons of treatments for cognitive impairments or biases versus more traditional psychosocial interventions have produced diverse results. Overall, treatments for cognitive impairments and cognitive biases warrant additional study in clinical trials. Future research should explore cognitive remediation and cognitive bias modification adjunctive to psychosocial treatments to optimize patient outcomes in mood and anxiety disorders.