Approach bias retraining to augment smoking cessation: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Addiction Medicine
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Approach tendency to smoking cues is linked to increased cravings, dependence, and relapse risk.
• Standard smoking cessation treatments (ST) can be enhanced by modifying this approach tendency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of approach bias retraining (ABR), which increases avoidance tendency, when integrated with standard ST.
• To determine if ABR improves smoking cessation outcomes compared to sham retraining.

Main Methods:

• A pilot randomized clinical trial involving 96 adult smokers motivated to quit.
• Participants received either ST with ABR (ST+ABR) or ST with sham retraining (ST+Sham) for 7 weekly sessions.
• Abstinence was measured up to 3 months post-quit attempt; avoidance tendency was assessed throughout the study.

Main Results:

• The ST+ABR group showed significantly higher abstinence rates (50% PPA, 66% PA) compared to the ST+Sham group (31% PPA, 47% PA).
• Participants in the ST+ABR condition demonstrated a significant increase in avoidance tendency scores.
• The odds of abstinence were more than doubled for the ST+ABR group (OR=2.03).

Conclusions:

• Integrating ABR with standard smoking cessation treatment (ST) shows initial evidence of efficacy.
• Further research is warranted to confirm long-term efficacy and explore the mechanisms of action for this combined intervention.