Attentional Bias and Craving in Smokers: The Impact of a Single Attentional Training Session

Investigations in both alcohol and smoking have provided preliminary evidence for the use of attentional training interventions to reduce vigilance toward salient drug cues. The current study evaluated the efficacy of an attentional training intervention for reducing attentional bias toward smoking cues and craving among cigarette smokers. Participants were randomized to receive an attentional training intervention or a control training. Sixty-four regular cigarette smokers (individuals smoking at least 10 cigarettes/day for at least 1 year) provided informed consent and were enrolled in the study. The dot probe paradigm was used both to measure attentional bias and for the training intervention. Attentional bias and craving were measured prior to and following training. Results indicated that the randomized groups did not differ significantly in attentional bias as measured by novel stimuli and, correspondingly, in craving response to relevant cues following the training intervention. These results for a single-session training suggest that this "dose" is insufficient for reducing attentional bias. Given the success of this intervention in other applications, research on the efficacy of multiple-session trainings is an important area for further study.