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Developing digital interventions for a post-Covid world: A smartphone-based approach-avoidance training to reduce alcohol craving.

Published version

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


Change log

Authors

Guzman, Natalie V 
Kvamme, Timo 
Ritou, Valentin 
Casero, Violeta 

Abstract

Harmful alcohol use is a major public health issue. In-person treatment has been hindered by the restrictions necessary during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study examined the effects of an at-home smartphone-based cognitive bias modification training in heavy drinkers. Experiment 1 tested the effect of a short 20-30-min smartphone-based approach-avoidance training (AAT) on image-induced craving at a 1-day follow-up. Sixty-two participants consuming 14+ units of alcohol/week were allocated to either the training or waitlist group. Experiment 2 used an updated version of the same short AAT intervention with a sample of n = 107 participants who consumed 20+ units of alcohol/week. Training effects at 1-week follow-up were compared to an active control group. Experiment 1 showed a significant reduction in image-induced craving for the training group at 1-day follow-up. Experiment 2 found that AUDIT weekly scores were significantly reduced at 1-week follow-up for the training group, all the while craving for soft drinks remained unchanged. Experiment 1 served as a first proof of concept for the efficacy of the new smartphone-based AAT training, and experiment 2 suggested that training effects on problem alcohol use hold at 1-week follow-up.

Description

Funder: Hans Böckler Stiftung; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100007440


Funder: Medical Research Council; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000265


Funder: Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004350

Keywords

CBM, Digital health, alcohol useapp, approach-avoidance, cognitive bias modification, Humans, Craving, Smartphone, Pandemics, COVID-19, Alcohol Drinking

Journal Title

Scand J Psychol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0036-5564
1467-9450

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley