Approach bias retraining through virtual reality in smokers willing to quit smoking: A randomized-controlled study

Area of Science:

• Addiction research
• Behavioral psychology
• Virtual reality applications

Background:

• Automatic approach biases towards smoking cues contribute to addiction.
• Existing bias modification techniques show limited and inconsistent effects.
• Virtual reality (VR) offers a novel platform for therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of VR-based Approach Bias Modification (VR-ABM) in modifying approach biases and reducing smoking behavior.
• To assess the impact of VR-ABM compared to a VR-control condition in smokers undergoing cessation treatment.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 108 smokers undergoing behavioral counseling.
• Participants received either VR-ABM or a VR-control training over six sessions within two weeks.
• Assessments of approach biases, cognitive biases, and smoking behavior were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up.

Main Results:

• VR-ABM did not significantly alter approach biases or other cognitive biases.
• VR-ABM demonstrated superiority in reducing daily smoking, but this effect was confined to the training period.
• Both groups showed improvements in smoking cessation and health-related variables over time.

Conclusions:

• While VR-ABM did not modify underlying biases, it showed a transient benefit for smoking reduction.
• Further investigation into the mechanisms and optimal components of ABM is warranted.
• VR technology holds significant potential for public health interventions in addiction treatment.