Attentional bias predicts outcome in smoking cessation.
Most attempts to quit smoking end in failure, with many quitters relapsing in the first few days. Responses to smoking-related cues may precipitate relapse. A modified emotional Stroop task-which measures the extent to which smoking-related words disrupt performance on a reaction time (RT) task-was used to index the distracting effects of smoking-related cues. Smokers (N = 158) randomized to a high-dose nicotine patch (35 mg) or placebo patch completed the Stroop task on the 1st day of a quit attempt. Smokers using an active patch exhibited less attentional bias, making fewer errors on smoking-related words. Smokers who showed greater attentional bias (slowed RT on the first block of smoking words) were significantly more likely to lapse in the short-term, even when controlling for self-reported urges at the test session. Attentional bias measures may tap an important component of dependence.
Waters
Andrew J
AJ
Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, USA. ajwaters@mdanderson.org
Shiffman
Saul
S
Sayette
Michael A
MA
Paty
Jean A
JA
Gwaltney
Chad J
CJ
Balabanis
Mark H
MH
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011930:Reaction Time; D012008:Recurrence; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014825:Vocabulary