title: Are addiction-related memories malleable by working memory competition? Transient effects on memory vividness and nicotine craving in a randomized lab experiment.
abstract: Experimental research suggests that working memory (WM) taxation reduces craving momentarily. Using a modified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) procedure, prolonged reductions in craving and relapse rates in alcohol dependence have been demonstrated. Modified EMDR-procedures may also hold promise in smoking cessation attempts. A proof-of-concept study was conducted to narrow the gap between WM-taxation experiments and clinical EMDR studies. To this end the clinical EMDR-procedure was modified for use in a laboratory experiment.
  
  
  
  Daily smokers (n = 47), abstaining overnight, were allocated (by minimization randomization) to one of two groups using a parallel design. In both cases a modified EMDR-procedure was used. In the experimental group (n = 24) eye movements (EM) were induced while control group participants (n = 23) fixed their gaze (not taxing WM). During 6 min trials, craving-inducing memories were recalled. Craving, vividness of target memories, and smoking behavior were assessed at several variable-specific time-points between baseline (one week pre-intervention) and one week follow-up.
  
  
  
  The experimental group showed significant immediate reductions of craving and vividness of targeted memories. However, these effects were lost during a one-week follow-up period.
  
  
  
  A limited dose of WM-taxation, in the form of EM in a modified EMDR-procedure, resulted in transient effects on memory vividness and nicotine craving. EM provide a valuable way of coping with the acute effects of craving during smoking cessation attempts. Other aspects of the EMDR-procedure may provide additional effects. Component and dose-response studies are needed to establish the potential of EMDR-therapy in smoking cessation.
authors.affiliation: IrisZorg, Institute for Addiction Care, Sheltered Housing and Social Support Services, Kronenburgsingel 545, P.O. Box 351, 6800 AJ, Arnhem, Netherlands; Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen/ACSW, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, Netherlands. Electronic address: w.markus@iriszorg.nl.
authors.forename: Wiebren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Markus
authors.affiliation: Victas, Centre for Addiction Care, P.O. Box 14116, 3508 SE Utrecht, Netherlands. Electronic address: gdweert@victas.nl.
authors.forename: Gerdien H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: de Weert-van Oene
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Department of Psychology, University of Bochum, P.O. Box, 44801 Bochum, Germany. Electronic address: marcella.woud@rub.de.
authors.forename: Marcella L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Woud
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Science Institute (BSI), Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, Netherlands. Electronic address: e.becker@psych.ru.nl.
authors.forename: Eni S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Nijmegen Institute for Scientist-Practitioners in Addiction (NISPA), Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen/ACSW, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, Netherlands. Electronic address: nispa.dejong@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cornelis A J
authors.initials: CAJ
authors.lastname: DeJong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D066249:Craving / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D057169:Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing / Q000379:methods; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine
keywords: Addiction; Craving; EMDR; Eye movements; Nicotine; Working memory taxation