Abstract
Objective
Poor inhibitory control is a characteristic of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) that might be associated with worse treatment outcomes because of its contribution to the likelihood of relapse. One valid and efficient tool to examine inhibitory control is the Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (Stroop inhibition). The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the consistency of findings on the Stroop inhibition subtest and its relationship to length of use and duration of abstinence in AUD.
Data Selection
Three researchers independently searched nine databases (e.g., PsycINFO, Pubmed, ProceedingsFirst), extracted required data, and calculated effect sizes. Inclusion criteria identified studies that had (a) compared participants with AUD to healthy controls and (b) matched groups on either age, education, or IQ. Studies were excluded if participants were reported to have Axis I diagnoses (other than AUD) or comorbidities known to impact neuropsychological functioning. Twelve articles were coded and analyzed for the current study.
Data Synthesis
Studies comparing AUD to controls showed a medium statistically significant effect size (g = 0.355, p < 0.001) with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0). Length of use and duration of abstinence did not predict effect sizes.
Conclusions
The Stroop inhibition measure distinguishes between AUD participants and controls. Given the robustness of this finding, the lack of heterogeneity among studies, and the extensive past use of the Stroop to measure inhibitory control; this test should be considered when examining AUD patients. This is especially important when patients exhibit poor inhibition in daily functioning.
Chains of risk for alcohol use disorder: Mediators of exposure to neighborhood deprivation in early and middle childhood
