Cognitive bias modification as a web-based intervention for problem drinkers: A randomized controlled trial with a factorial design

IF 4.2 2区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Behaviour Research and Therapy Pub Date : 2025-03-07 DOI:10.1016/j.brat.2025.104718

Denise S. van Deursen , Lynn Mobach , Elske Salemink , Matthijs Blankers , Reinout W. Wiers

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

Previous studies have shown that Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) can decrease cognitive biases implicated in the maintenance of problem drinking. However, it is still unclear what the individual and combined effects of multiple CBM interventions are when delivered as an e-health intervention. The current study therefore investigated the effects of web-based modification of attention bias, selective inhibition, and approach bias in a 2 (attentional bias modification: intervention/placebo) x 2 (selective inhibition training: intervention/placebo) x 2 (approach bias modification: intervention/placebo) double-blind, randomized controlled trial in self-identified problem drinkers.

Method

Self-identified problem drinkers were randomly assigned to one of the eight CBM conditions. All participants first completed a personalized feedback intervention before completing 12 CBM sessions over six weeks. Cognitive biases were assessed with trained and untrained tasks at pre- and post-test and alcohol use was additionally measured three and six months later.

Results

427 self-identified problem drinkers (M_age = 51.2 years, SD_age = 8.69) were included. Results showed that alcohol use decreased over time, but the reductions in drinking did not differ between CBM conditions. There was little evidence that CBM changed cognitive biases. It should however be noted that some bias measures showed inadequate reliability.

Conclusions

The results indicate that in problem drinkers, web-based CBM does not add to the effects of a brief motivational intervention to reduce alcohol use over time. Findings may be due to unsuccessful bias modification. Future studies need to delineate moderators of effectiveness and investigate new and promising inference-based CBM-variations.

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来源期刊

Behaviour Research and Therapy PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

7.50

自引率

7.30%

发文量

148

期刊介绍： The major focus of Behaviour Research and Therapy is an experimental psychopathology approach to understanding emotional and behavioral disorders and their prevention and treatment, using cognitive, behavioral, and psychophysiological (including neural) methods and models. This includes laboratory-based experimental studies with healthy, at risk and subclinical individuals that inform clinical application as well as studies with clinically severe samples. The following types of submissions are encouraged: theoretical reviews of mechanisms that contribute to psychopathology and that offer new treatment targets; tests of novel, mechanistically focused psychological interventions, especially ones that include theory-driven or experimentally-derived predictors, moderators and mediators; and innovations in dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practices into clinical practice in psychology and associated fields, especially those that target underlying mechanisms or focus on novel approaches to treatment delivery. In addition to traditional psychological disorders, the scope of the journal includes behavioural medicine (e.g., chronic pain). The journal will not consider manuscripts dealing primarily with measurement, psychometric analyses, and personality assessment.