Evaluation of a Smartphone Application on the Reduction of Attentional Bias Toward Alcohol Among Students†.

CONTEXT: The 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. METHODS: Fifty 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. RESULTS: Our 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. DISCUSSION: Despite 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.

A network approach to the five-facet model of mindfulness.

Despite the large-scale dissemination of mindfulness-based interventions, debates persist about the very nature of mindfulness. To date, one of the dominant views is the five-facet approach, which suggests that mindfulness includes five facets (i.e., Observing, Describing, Nonjudging, Nonreactivity, and Acting with Awareness). However, uncertainty remains regarding the potential interplay between these facets. In this study, we investigated the five-facet model via network analysis in an unselected sample (n = 1704). We used two distinct computational network approaches: a Gaussian graphical model (i.e., undirected) and a directed acyclic graph, with each model determining the relations between the facets and their relative importance in the network. Both computational approaches pointed to the facet denoting Acting with Awareness as playing an especially potent role in the network system. Altogether, our findings offer novel data-driven clues for the field's larger quest to ascertain the very foundations of mindfulness.

Common sense model of self-regulation for understanding adherence and quality of life in type 2 diabetes with structural equation modeling.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to test the Common Sense Model of self-regulation (CSM) for its relevance for improving adherence and quality of life in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A sample of 253 patients with type 2 diabetes was recruited. They completed questionnaires about their perceptions regarding diabetes, coping strategies, therapeutic adherence and quality of life. Their HbA1c levels were also collected. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to check the adequacy of our theoretical model (CSM) with the patient data. RESULTS: The final model indicated that perceptions were directly and indirectly related to health outcomes through coping strategies and adequately matched the data (χ2 / df = 561/ 220 = 2.55; RMSEA = 0.08; PCFI = 0.66; PGFI = 0.70). Moreover, the model appeared to be identical for both types of treatment (oral and injectable). CONCLUSIONS: Illness perceptions and coping strategies, or, more specifically, how patients accept disease and think they are able to manage it, significantly affect therapeutic adherence and quality of life in type 2 diabetes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These results pave the way for developing psychological treatments aimed at improving patient acceptance and internal resources (e.g. use of autobiographical memory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).

Reducing Attentional Bias in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorders With a Tablet Application: A Randomized Controlled Trial Pilot Study.

AIMS: Cognitive bias modification (CBM) training has been considered a promising and effective intervention tool for reducing cognitive biases toward alcohol. However, the link between the cognitive process and actual behavior remains statistically insignificant because computerized tasks do not have sufficient ecological validity and suffer from high dropout rates. The recent development of 'serious games' has shown encouraging results in maintaining adherence to health-related interventions. We aim to evaluate a CBM program using a gamified attentional bias (AB) training procedure on a touchpad for individuals with alcohol use disorders. METHODS: Forty-one patients were included in this study, 33 of whom displayed an AB and were randomly assigned into the 'CBM group' (N = 18, 16.7% women) or 'Memory group'-which involved playing a memory game-(N = 15, no woman). Eight other participants (12.5% women) with no AB comprised the 'Without AB group'. Efficacy was assessed for AB, craving, and inhibition and attentional capacities before and after the program. RESULTS: We observed that the reduction of AB was higher for the 'CBM group' (Mbefore = 153.61, SD = 172.21; Mafter = 18.00, SD = 77.71; t (17) = 4.21, P = 0.001) than for the 'Memory group' (Mbefore = 73.20, SD = 66.65; Mafter =42.47, SD = 113.77; ts < 1). The analysis showed that for the 'Without AB group', there was no significant difference in AB (t (7) = -2.15, P = .07) after the program. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated an increased reduction of AB for patients included in the CBM program on a touchpad than for patients playing only a memory game.

Craving Mediates the Relation Between Impulsivity and Alcohol Consumption Among University Students.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship between impulsivity and craving in severe alcohol use disorders is well established, but the presence and characteristics of this link in University students are still to be established. The present study aims to better understand the relationship between impulsivity and craving in university students and to determine the influence of these variables on alcohol consumption characteristics. METHODS: A large sample of university students (N = 1055, mean age: 20.9 years; 713 women) completed an online questionnaire to evaluate alcohol use, impulsivity, and craving. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis demonstrated that the compulsive dimensions of craving (P < .001), sensation seeking (P < .001), and lack of premeditation (P < .001) constitute strong predictors of current consumption. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the threshold level above which craving intensity can identify specific high-risk populations. A mediation analysis showed that craving has a partial mediator effect on the impact of impulsivity on alcohol consumption for this population (37,8%, P < .001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The sensation seeking and lack of premeditation dimensions of impulsivity, coupled with compulsive craving, are efficient predictors of excessive alcohol consumption for university students. The partial mediator effect of craving is important in terms of characterizing the relationship between impulsivity and alcohol consumption. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Our study centrally shows that the interaction between elevated levels of impulsivity and craving constitute a crucial risk factor for alcohol consumption in university students, and should thus constitute a target for primary prevention programs (Am J Addict 2019;00:00-00).

A multi-dimensional evaluation of craving and impulsivity among people admitted for alcohol-related problems in emergency department.

Craving and impulsivity are key psychological dimensions involved in the development and maintenance of severe alcohol-use disorders. This study proposes an integrative evaluation of craving (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS and Obsessive Compulsive Drinking Scale, OCDS) and impulsivity (UPPS Scale and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale) among patients admitted in emergency department for alcohol misuse. Ninety-eight patients were included. Regression analyses showed that the scores obtained at the compulsive subscale of the OCDS, at the VAS and at the Urgency subscale of impulsivity constitute the main predictors of the severity of alcohol-use disorders (indexed by the AUDIT). These results suggest that specific sub-dimensions of craving and impulsivity may play a critical and joint role in the maintenance of excessive alcohol consumption.

How can the health belief model and self-determination theory predict both influenza vaccination and vaccination intention ? A longitudinal study among university students.

Background and objective Seasonal influenza is frequent among students and often responsible for impaired academic performance and lower levels of general health. However, the vaccination rate in this population is very low. As the seasonal influenza vaccine is not compulsory in France, it is important to improve the vaccination uptake by identifying predictors of both intention and behaviour. This study investigated the effect of decisional balance, motivation and self-efficacy on vaccination acceptance using the Extended Health Belief Model (HBM) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Design and Main Outcome Measures University students were invited to fill in an online survey to answer questions about their influenza vaccination intention, and HBM and SDT constructs. A one-year longitudinal follow-up study investigated vaccination behaviour. Results Autonomous motivation and self-efficacy significantly influenced the intention to have the influenza vaccine, and vaccine behaviour at one-year follow-up. Intention predicted a significant proportion of variation (51%) in behaviour, and mediated the effect of these predictors on vaccination behaviour. Conclusion These results suggest that motivation concepts of the Self-Determination Theory can be adequately combined with the Health Belief Model to understand vaccination behaviour.

Desire thinking as a confounder in the relationship between mindfulness and craving: Evidence from a cross-cultural validation of the Desire Thinking Questionnaire.

Desire thinking and mindfulness have been associated with craving. The aim of the present study was to validate the French version of the Desire Thinking Questionnaire (DTQ) and to investigate the relationship between mindfulness, desire thinking and craving among a sample of university students. Four hundred and ninety six university students completed the DTQ and measures of mindfulness, craving and alcohol use. Results from confirmatory factor analyses showed that the two-factor structure proposed in the original DTQ exhibited suitable goodness-of-fit statistics. The DTQ also demonstrated good internal reliability, temporal stability and predictive validity. A set of linear regressions revealed that desire thinking had a confounding effect in the relationship between mindfulness and craving. The confounding role of desire thinking in the relationship between mindfulness and craving suggests that interrupting desire thinking may be a viable clinical option aimed at reducing craving.