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Developing digital interventions for a post-Covid world: A smartphone-based approach-avoidance training to reduce
Nele Peerenboom1, Natalie V Guzman1,2, Timo Kvamme1,3
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
|October 19, 2023
Summary
Smartphone-based cognitive bias modification training significantly reduced alcohol craving in heavy drinkers. This digital intervention offers a promising approach for managing harmful alcohol use, especially when in-person treatment is challenging.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Digital Therapeutics
Background:
- Harmful alcohol use presents a significant public health challenge.
- COVID-19 pandemic restrictions limited access to traditional in-person addiction treatment.
- There is a need for accessible, at-home interventions for heavy drinkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a smartphone-based cognitive bias modification training (approach-avoidance training or AAT) for heavy alcohol consumers.
- To assess the impact of AAT on alcohol craving and problematic alcohol use.
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1: 62 heavy drinkers (14+ units/week) received a 20-30 minute smartphone AAT or were waitlisted; craving assessed at 1-day follow-up.
- Experiment 2: 107 heavy drinkers (20+ units/week) received updated smartphone AAT or an active control; AUDIT scores and craving assessed at 1-week follow-up.
Main Results:
- Experiment 1 demonstrated a significant reduction in image-induced alcohol craving post-training.
- Experiment 2 showed significant reductions in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores at 1-week follow-up.
- Craving for soft drinks remained unchanged, indicating specificity of the AAT intervention for alcohol.
Conclusions:
- Smartphone-based AAT serves as a viable proof of concept for reducing alcohol craving.
- The AAT intervention shows sustained effects on problem alcohol use at 1-week follow-up.
- Digital cognitive bias modification offers a scalable solution for addressing harmful alcohol use.
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