Protocol for an RCT on cognitive bias modification for alcohol use disorders in a religion-based rehabilitation...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Alcohol-related cues can trigger relapse in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
• Cognitive bias modification (CBM) has shown potential in reducing alcohol approach tendencies.
• AUD treatment in religious settings may benefit from interventions that acknowledge patients' religious attitudes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effectiveness of a religion-adapted approach bias modification (ApBM) intervention for AUD.
• To compare religion-adapted ApBM with standard ApBM and sham ApBM in reducing alcohol-seeking behaviors.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on abstinence rates and meaning in life.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, multiarm parallel randomized controlled trial with 120 AUD patients.
• Intervention groups: religion-adapted ApBM, standard ApBM, and sham ApBM, delivered over 4 days.
• Assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and at 1 and 4 months follow-up.

Main Results:

• Primary outcomes include percentage of days abstinent and meaning in life at 4-month follow-up.
• Secondary outcomes include training satisfaction and AUD symptom severity.
• Multivariate analysis of variance will be used to analyze the data.

Conclusions:

• Religion-adapted ApBM offers a novel approach to AUD treatment in faith-based rehabilitation centers.
• This intervention aims to enhance CBM effectiveness by integrating religious motivational cues.
• The study will provide valuable insights into tailored interventions for AUD recovery.