Abstract
ContextThe recent development of “serious games” has produced encouraging results in maintaining adherence to health-related interventions. In alcohol research, several studies have shown that computerized training on attentional bias decreases alcohol consumption bias among students. However, these highly controlled experimental situations, do not allow for direct large-scale dissemination. Our objective is to evaluate an attentional bias remediation program using a gamified smartphone training procedure.MethodsFifty students from Clermont-Ferrand University were invited to participate in the study. After a cognitive assessment in the laboratory, the smartphone application was installed on each Student’s smartphone. Participants were randomly assigned to either the alcohol attentional training group or the control group Each student had to complete the 2-min program at least once a day for 15 days. After 15 days, a new cognitive assessment of attention bias was conducted in the laboratory. Forty-seven students were included in the study.ResultsOur analyses did not show any effect of the cognitive remediation program on attentional bias reduction between the two group [F(1, 44) < 1, p = 0.87], attentional performance [F(1, 45) = 1.63, p = 0.20] or inhibitory abilities [F(1, 45) < 1, p = 0.73]. These results were confirmed by Bayesian analyses.DiscussionDespite the absence of group effects, both the alcohol and control (non-alcohol) version of this program appeared to reduce attentional bias and increase inhibition capacities in the subset of participants who had attentional bias for alcohol at baseline This pilot study identifies areas for improvement in smartphone applications for future developments. Attentional bias remediation programs remain an interesting way to explore.
Highlights
According to the latest OFDT report (French Observatory of Drugs and Drug Addiction), 40% of 18–75 years old in France drink alcohol regularly with more than 8.4% of 17-year-olds in 2017 will drink alcohol regularly, and 44% will demonstrate at less one binge drinking behavior (4–5 drinks within a specific time period) during the past month (OFDT, 2019)
Several studies suggest that cognitive factors, such as weaker inhibitory functions (Tarter et al, 2003; Nigg et al, 2004), notably attentional bias (Cox et al, 2002), may be involved in problematic alcohol consumption
This study aims to reduce the attentional bias of students who drink alcohol via a smartphone application
Summary
According to the latest OFDT report (French Observatory of Drugs and Drug Addiction), 40% of 18–75 years old in France drink alcohol regularly with more than 8.4% of 17-year-olds in 2017 will drink alcohol regularly (at least 10 glasses in a month), and 44% will demonstrate at less one binge drinking behavior (4–5 drinks within a specific time period) during the past month (OFDT, 2019) This heavy consumption over less than 2 h can produce destructive short-term effects such as accidents, violence and even alcohol-related comas (Boles and Miotto, 2003) while impacting spatial working memory (Squeglia et al, 2011) and other cognitive functions (Howland et al, 2010). Preventive approaches aimed at developing these cognitive functions could be an innovative and effective method to reduce alcohol consumption
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