scholarly journals Retraining automatic action tendencies for smoking using mobile phone-based approach-avoidance bias training: Study protocol for a randomized controlled study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alla Machulska ◽  
Tanja Joan Eiler ◽  
Armin Grünewald ◽  
Rainer Brück ◽  
Katharina Jahn ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Automatic tendencies to approach drug-related cues have been linked to the development and maintainance of harmful drug taking behavior. Recent studies have demonstrated that these automatic approach tendencies can be targeted directly by means of Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) approaches. Moreover, changing those approach tendencies may enhance treatment outcomes. However, training and therapy effects tend to be rather small and adherence to the training might be impaired by time-consuming multiple lab-training sessions. Here, we present a protocol for a randomized waitlist-control design to improve CBM training efficiency and facilitate access to the training by providing mobile phone-based training sessions at home to current smokers motivated to quit smoking. Methods/Design: Participants (n = 100) are current smokers who smoke at least 6 cigarettes per day for at least 6 months and are willing to quit smoking. All participants attend a brief smoking cessation intervention (TAU) and are randomly assigned either to a training or a waitlist-control group. Participants in the training condition are given access to a training app aimed at retraining automatic approach biases for smoking cues. Participants are instructed to perform the app-training outside the laboratory context on a daily basis for 14 consecutive days. Approach, attentional and association biases, biochemical outcomes, and self-reported smoking behavior will be measured at baseline, directly after training, and at a 4-week follow-up. After completition of the study, smokers in the waitlist-control condition will receive access to the training app. Discussion: This RCT is the first to test the effectiveness of an app-based CBM intervention as an adjunct to a brief smoking cessation intervention in smokers motivated to quit smoking. The results of this study can inform future research in the optimisation and advancement of CBM treatment for addiction. Trial Registration: Registered with Current Controlled Trials: study ID ISRCTN15690771. Registered on 20 November 2018; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN15690771

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alla Machulska ◽  
Kristian Kleinke ◽  
Tanja Joan Eiler ◽  
Armin Grünewald ◽  
Rainer Brück ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Automatic tendencies to approach drug-related cues have been linked to the development and maintainance of harmful drug taking behavior. Recent studies have demonstrated that these automatic approach tendencies can be targeted directly by means of Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) approaches. Moreover, changing those approach tendencies may enhance treatment outcomes. However, training and therapy effects tend to be rather small and adherence to the training might be impaired by time-consuming multiple lab-training sessions. Here, we present a protocol for a randomized control design to improve CBM training efficiency and facilitate access to the training by providing mobile phone-based training sessions at home to current smokers motivated to quit smoking. Methods: Participants (n = 100) are current smokers who smoke at least 6 cigarettes per day for at least 6 months and are willing to quit smoking. All participants attend a brief behavioral smoking cessation intervention (TAU) and are randomly assigned either to an experimental (TAU + training) or a control group. Participants in the experimental condition are given access to a training app aimed at retraining automatic approach biases for smoking cues. Participants are instructed to perform the app-training outside the laboratory context on a daily basis for 14 consecutive days. Participants in the control group do not receive the training. Primary outcome measures are changes in smoking-related approach biases and reductions in daily nicotine consumption as assessed at baseline, post-training and at a six-week follow-up. Secondary outcome measures include approach biases for alternative stimuli or smoking stimuli to which participants were not exposed during training, attentional and association biases, biochemical outcomes, and self-reported smoking behavior, also measured at three different time points (baseline, post-training, follow-up). After completion of the study, smokers in the control condition will receive access to the training app. Discussion: This RCT is the first to test the effectiveness of an app-based CBM intervention as an adjunct to a brief smoking cessation intervention in smokers motivated to quit smoking. The results of this study can inform future research in the optimisation and advancement of CBM treatment for addiction. Trial registration: Registered with Current Controlled Trials: study ID ISRCTN15690771. Registered on 20 November 2018; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN15690771 Key words: Approach Bias, Cogitive Bias Modification, cigarette smoking, nicotine addiction, Randomized Control Trial, smartphone apps


Trials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alla Machulska ◽  
Kristian Kleinke ◽  
Tanja Joan Eiler ◽  
Armin Grünewald ◽  
Rainer Brück ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Automatic tendencies to approach drug-related cues have been linked to the development and maintainance of harmful drug-taking behavior. Recent studies have demonstrated that these automatic approach tendencies can be targeted directly by means of cognitive bias modification (CBM). Moreover, changing those approach tendencies may enhance treatment outcomes. However, training and therapy effects tend to be rather small and adherence to the training might be impaired by time-consuming multiple laboratory training sessions. Here, we present a protocol for a randomized controlled design to improve CBM training efficiency and facilitate access to the training by providing mobile-phone-based training sessions at home to current smokers motivated to quit smoking. Methods Participants (n = 100) are current smokers who smoke at least six cigarettes per day for at least 6 months and are willing to quit smoking. All participants attend a brief behavioral smoking cessation intervention (TAU) and are randomly assigned either to an experimental (TAU + training) or a control group. Participants in the experimental condition are given access to a training application (app) aimed at retraining automatic approach biases for smoking cues. Participants are instructed to perform the app training outside the laboratory context on a daily basis for 14 consecutive days. Participants in the control group do not receive the training. Primary outcome measures are changes in smoking-related approach biases and reductions in daily nicotine consumption as assessed at baseline, post-training and at 6-week follow up. Secondary outcome measures include approach biases for alternative stimuli or smoking stimuli to which participants were not exposed during training, attentional and association biases, biochemical outcomes, and self-reported smoking behavior, also measured at three different time points (baseline, post-training, and follow up). After completion of the study, smokers in the control condition will receive access to the training app. Discussion This randomized controlled trial is the first to test the effectiveness of an app-based CBM intervention as an adjunct to a brief smoking cessation intervention in smokers motivated to quit smoking. The results of this study can inform future research in the optimization and advancement of CBM treatment for addiction. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN15690771. Registered on 20 November 2018.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alla Machulska ◽  
Kristian Kleinke ◽  
Tanja Joan Eiler ◽  
Armin Grünewald ◽  
Rainer Brück ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Automatic tendencies to approach drug-related cues have been linked to the development and maintainance of harmful drug taking behavior. Recent studies have demonstrated that these automatic approach tendencies can be targeted directly by means of Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) approaches. Moreover, changing those approach tendencies may enhance treatment outcomes. However, training and therapy effects tend to be rather small and adherence to the training might be impaired by time-consuming multiple lab-training sessions. Here, we present a protocol for a randomized control design to improve CBM training efficiency and facilitate access to the training by providing mobile phone-based training sessions at home to current smokers motivated to quit smoking. Methods: Participants (n = 100) are current smokers who smoke at least 6 cigarettes per day for at least 6 months and are willing to quit smoking. All participants attend a brief behavioral smoking cessation intervention (TAU) and are randomly assigned either to an experimental (TAU + training) or a control group. Participants in the experimental condition are given access to a training app aimed at retraining automatic approach biases for smoking cues. Participants are instructed to perform the app-training outside the laboratory context on a daily basis for 14 consecutive days. Participants in the control group do not receive the training. Primary outcome measures are changes in smoking-related approach biases and reductions in daily nicotine consumption as assessed at baseline, post-training and at a six-week follow-up. Secondary outcome measures include approach biases for alternative stimuli or smoking stimuli to which participants were not exposed during training, attentional and association biases, biochemical outcomes, and self-reported smoking behavior, also measured at three different time points (baseline, post-training, follow-up). After completion of the study, smokers in the control condition will receive access to the training app. Discussion: This RCT is the first to test the effectiveness of an app-based CBM intervention as an adjunct to a brief smoking cessation intervention in smokers motivated to quit smoking. The results of this study can inform future research in the optimisation and advancement of CBM treatment for addiction. Trial registration: Registered with Current Controlled Trials: study ID ISRCTN15690771. Registered on 20 November 2018; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN15690771 Key words: Approach Bias, Cogitive Bias Modification, cigarette smoking, nicotine addiction, Randomized Control Trial, smartphone apps


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Bendtsen ◽  
Catharina Linderoth ◽  
Preben Bendtsen

BACKGROUND Several large studies have shown that the risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, and wound-healing complications (including death) within 30 days of surgery is greater for smokers than for nonsmokers. However, there is evidence that even short-term perioperative smoking cessation may reduce postoperative morbidity. Over the past few years, it has become more evident that short message service (SMS)–based interventions can help individuals quit smoking. OBJECTIVE The overall aim of this project is to fill the knowledge gap on whether an SMS-based smoking-cessation intervention can be effective in helping patients stop smoking perioperatively. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of an SMS-based intervention on smoking behavior of patients undergoing elective surgery. METHODS A two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial will be conducted at 20 surgical departments in southeast Sweden. Smokers undergoing elective surgery who own a mobile phone will be included. Power calculations indicate that it will be necessary to randomize 434 participants. One group will be given access to a novel 12-week SMS program, which includes daily SMS messages with behavior change–enforcing text content and hyperlinks to interactive modules, while the other group will not be given access to the intervention. Both groups will have access to the surgical departments’ current routine for smoking cessation prior to surgery. Primary outcome measures, prolonged abstinence, and point prevalence of smoking cessation will be measured through questionnaires at 3, 6, and 12 months after randomization. Logistic regression models adjusted using baseline characteristics will be explored to identify potential effects of the intervention. RESULTS Recruitment started in late October 2018 and is expected to last for a maximum of 30 months. The first results are expected to be available approximately 3 months after the final date of recruitment. CONCLUSIONS Owing to the structural problems and scarcity of time and resources, patients at most Swedish surgical departments are simply instructed to quit smoking, and perhaps, referred to a primary health care clinic. An SMS-based smoking-cessation aid can be effective in helping individuals quit smoking and is a very simple and time-efficient tool for surgical departments to use. CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN33869008; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN33869008 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR PRR1-10.2196/12511


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Pócs ◽  
Tímea Óvári ◽  
Csaba Hamvai ◽  
Oguz Kelemen

BACKGROUND Smoking cessation support on Facebook (FB) is a cost-effective and extensible way to reduce tobacco use among young people. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a practical counselling style in face-to-face smoking cessation support and can be useful in web-based interventions as well. OBJECTIVE This study aimed at identifying which post creation strategies based on MI could achieve positive changes in FB post characteristics and FB users’ comments. METHODS We included MI-adherent posts (N=701) which were not boosted and were targeted at tobacco users. These FB posts have been categorized into five different groups according to specific MI strategies. The control group comprised entertaining and informative posts. Primary outcomes seem to highlight how the content has stimulated interactions (engagement rate), inhibited interactions (negative feedback) or appealed to the audience of the FB page (fan-total reach ratio). The first comments received on the FB posts were evaluated and used as secondary outcomes. We applied the classification of MI approach: change talk (CT), sustain talk (ST), desire, ability, reason, need (DARN), and commitment, activation, taking steps (CAT). RESULTS FB posts which used MI strategies were associated with significantly higher engagement rate (p=.010), higher fan-total reach ratio (p<.001), and more CT (p<.001), DARN (p=.005), or CAT comments (p=.003) compared to the control group. ‘Elaborating CT’ strategies elicited considerably more CT (p<.001) and DARN comments (p=.020). ‘Affirming CT’ strategies obtained higher fan-total reach ratio (p=.011) and generated significantly more CT (p=.006) and CAT comments (p<.001). ‘Reflecting CT’ strategies received significantly higher fan-total reach ratio (p<.001). Finally, ‘relational MI’ strategies achieved significantly higher engagement rate (p<.001) compared to the control group. It should be noted that we did not find significant difference in negative feedback and the number of ST comments. CONCLUSIONS Post creation strategies based on MI stimulated interactions with FB users and generated conversation about tobacco use cessation without relevant negative feedback. Our findings suggest that MI strategies may play a remarkable role in post creation within a web-based smoking cessation intervention. In the future, these strategies could be applicable to other online platforms, such as public health websites, health blogs, mobile applications or social networking groups.


2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. e49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Whittaker ◽  
Ralph Maddison ◽  
Hayden McRobbie ◽  
Chris Bullen ◽  
Simon Denny ◽  
...  

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 105 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 267-271
Author(s):  
Judith A. Groner ◽  
Karen Ahijevych ◽  
Lindsey K. Grossman ◽  
Leslie N. Rich

Objective. To determine if mothers receiving a smoking cessation intervention emphasizing health risks of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) for their children have a higher quit rate than 1) mothers receiving routine smoking cessation advice or 2) a control group. Design. Randomized, controlled trial. Setting. Primary care center in a large urban children's hospital. Intervention. Four hundred seventy-nine mothers were randomly assigned to a smoking cessation intervention either aimed at their child's health or their own health, or to a control group receiving safety information. Outcome Measures. Smoking status, stage of change, cigarettes/day, location smoking occurred, and knowledge of ETS effects. Results. Complete data (baseline and both follow-ups) were available for 166 subjects. There was no impact of group assignment on the quit rate, cigarettes/day, or stage of change. The Child Health Group intervention had a sustained effect on location where smoking reportedly occurred (usually outside) and on improved knowledge of ETS effects. Conclusions. Further research is needed to devise more effective methods of using the pediatric health care setting to influence adult smoking behaviors.


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