Cognitive training for modifying interpretation and attention bias in depression: Relevance to mood improvement and implications for cognitive intervention in depression

•Negative interpretation bias is a central component in cognitive models of depression psychopathology.•Ambiguous Hallmark Program (AHP) is a training program for modifying attention and interpretation bias in depression.•Cognitive training for modifying interpretation bias significantly decreased negative interpretations in the intervention group.•Modified interpretation bias was associated with reduced depressive symptoms.•Modifying interpretation and attention bias can be used as a cognitive intervention in depression. Depressed individuals interpret ambiguous information more negatively and this has been suggested a central component in cognitive models of depression. In this study we investigated the effectiveness of the interpretation modification training on modifying interpretation bias in depression and its association with symptoms reduction. In a double-blind, randomized controlled design, twenty-two depressed individuals (mean age = 19.86, SD = 1.16) were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. They completed 10 sessions of cognitive training with the Ambiguous Hallmark Program (AHP) over 5 weeks. Participants’ interpretation bias and their depressive scores were assessed and compared before and after the intervention. Results showed that the AHP significantly decreased negative interpretation in the experimental group. Additionally, a significant decrease in the depressive scores was also observed in the intervention group compared to the control group. We also observed the transfer of learning from the AHP training to another interpretation bias task. The AHP can significantly modify negative interpretations and symptoms in depression providing preliminary supporting evidence for its clinical application especially in mild-to-moderate depression. Improved cognitive control over emotional information and unbiased attention to them could explain effects of the Interpretation modification paradigm. Further studies need to examine the efficacy of the AHP as a potential cognitive intervention in depression.