Experiment 1: Attention Training Technique (ATT)

Based on the work by Tunheim & Papageorgiou (2025) I will practice ATT for four weeks and look for improvements in anxiety/depression symptoms and sleep quality.

ATT is an auditory exercise in active listening and focusing attention in the context of simultaneous sounds.

• Part 1 Selective Attention - focus on a single sound

• Part 2 Rapid Switching - switch your focus every 10 seconds between sounds

• Part 3 Divided Attention - try to hear all sounds simultaneously for one minute

Method:

• Twice daily, for 4 weeks, I will complete a 12-minute session of ATT by watching a guided video by: www.youtube.com/@AfternoonBreak 

Measurement:

• Mental health questionnaires (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) pre- and post- 4 weeks of training

• Sleep quality check pre- and post- 4 weeks of training

• Nightly sleep duration and quality (hours of REM)

Results (In Progress)

Pre-training scores: 

• PHQ-9 = 7

• GAD-7 = 7