IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/plo/pone00/0162226.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Bias Modification Interventions for Substance Addictions: A Meta-Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Ioana A Cristea
  • Robin N Kok
  • Pim Cuijpers

Abstract

Background and Aims: Cognitive bias modification (CBM) interventions, presumably targeting automatic processes, are considered particularly promising for addictions. We conducted a meta-analysis examining randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of CBM for substance addiction outcomes. Methods: Studies were identified through systematic searches in bibliographical databases. We included RCTs of CBM interventions, alone or in combination with other treatments, for any type of addiction. We examined trial risk of bias, publication bias and possible moderators. Effects sizes were computed for post-test and follow-up, using a random-effects model. We grouped outcome measures and reported results for addiction (all related measures), craving and cognitive bias. Results: We identified 25 trials, 18 for alcohol problems, and 7 for smoking. At post-test, there was no significant effect of CBM for addiction, g = 0.08 (95% CI -0.02 to 0.18) or craving, g = 0.05 (95% CI -0.06 to 0.16), but there was a significant, moderate effect on cognitive bias, g = 0.60 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.79). Results were similar for alcohol and smoking outcomes taken separately. Follow-up addiction outcomes were reported in 7 trials, resulting in a small but significant effect of CBM, g = 0.18 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.32). Results for addiction and craving did not differ by substance type, sample type, delivery setting, bias targeted or number of sessions. Risk of bias was high or uncertain in most trials, for most criteria considered. Meta-regression analyses revealed significant inverse relationships between risk of bias and effect sizes for addiction outcomes and craving. The relationship between cognitive bias and respectively addiction ESs was not significant. There was consistent evidence of publication bias in the form of funnel plot asymmetry. Conclusions: Our results cast serious doubts on the clinical utility of CBM interventions for addiction problems, but sounder methodological trials are necessary before this issue can be settled. We found no indication that positive effects on biases translate into effects on addiction outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Ioana A Cristea & Robin N Kok & Pim Cuijpers, 2016. "The Effectiveness of Cognitive Bias Modification Interventions for Substance Addictions: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(9), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0162226
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162226
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0162226
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0162226&type=printable
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1371/journal.pone.0162226?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nicola Orsini & Matteo Bottai & Julian Higgins & Iain Buchan, 2005. "HETEROGI: Stata module to quantify heterogeneity in a meta-analysis," Statistical Software Components S449201, Boston College Department of Economics, revised 25 Jan 2006.
    2. Sue Duval & Richard Tweedie, 2000. "Trim and Fill: A Simple Funnel-Plot–Based Method of Testing and Adjusting for Publication Bias in Meta-Analysis," Biometrics, The International Biometric Society, vol. 56(2), pages 455-463, June.
    3. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Melvyn Weibin Zhang & Jiang Bo Ying & Guo Song & Daniel S. S. Fung & Helen E. Smith, 2018. "Recent Advances in Attention Bias Modification for Substance Addictions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-8, April.
    2. Melvyn W.B. Zhang & Jiangbo Ying, 2019. "Incorporating Participatory Action Research in Attention Bias Modification Interventions for Addictive Disorders: Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Doris X.Y. Chia & Melvyn W.B. Zhang, 2020. "A Scoping Review of Cognitive Bias in Internet Addiction and Internet Gaming Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-11, January.
    4. Melvyn W. B. Zhang & Helen E. Smith, 2020. "Challenges When Evaluating Cognitive Bias Modification Interventions for Substance Use Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-7, October.
    5. Melvyn Zhang & Jiangbo Ying & Tracey Wing & Guo Song & Daniel S. S. Fung & Helen Smith, 2018. "A Systematic Review of Attention Biases in Opioid, Cannabis, Stimulant Use Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-12, June.
    6. Yi Zhuang Tan & Melvyn W.B. Zhang & Carol C. Choo, 2019. "Perspectives on Modifying Attentional Biases Amongst Individuals with Tobacco Use Disorder Using Technology: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-11, July.
    7. Melvyn W. B. Zhang & Sandor Heng & Syidda B. Amron & Zaakira Mahreen & Guo Song & Daniel S. S. Fung & Helen E. Smith, 2020. "Gamified M-Health Attention Bias Modification Intervention for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder: Protocol for a Pilot Randomised Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-10, January.
    8. Di Pietro Giorgio & European Commission & IZA, 2022. "Studying abroad and earnings: A meta‐analysis," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(4), pages 1096-1129, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Daniele Zago & Maria Eugênia Andrighetto Canozzi & Júlio Otávio Jardim Barcellos, 2020. "Pregnant beef cow’s nutrition and its effects on postnatal weight and carcass quality of their progeny," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-20, August.
    2. Viktoria Maria Baumeister & Leonie Petra Kuen & Maike Bruckes & Gerhard Schewe, 2021. "The Relationship of Work-Related ICT Use With Well-being, Incorporating the Role of Resources and Demands: A Meta-Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(4), pages 21582440211, November.
    3. Ritchwood, Tiarney D. & Ford, Haley & DeCoster, Jamie & Sutton, Marnie & Lochman, John E., 2015. "Risky sexual behavior and substance use among adolescents: A meta-analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 74-88.
    4. Christopher Winchester & Kelsey E. Medeiros, 2023. "In Bounds but Out of the Box: A Meta-Analysis Clarifying the Effect of Ethicality on Creativity," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(3), pages 713-743, March.
    5. Lianjie Liu & Zhuo Shao & Hang Yu & Wei Zhang & Hao Wang & Zubing Mei, 2020. "Is the platelet to lymphocyte ratio a promising biomarker to distinguish acute appendicitis? Evidence from a systematic review with meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, May.
    6. Fabrizio Sgolastra & Ambra Petrucci & Marco Severino & Roberto Gatto & Annalisa Monaco, 2013. "Relationship between Periodontitis and Pre-Eclampsia: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(8), pages 1-11, August.
    7. Je-Young Lee & Minkyung Baek, 2023. "Effects of Gamification on Students’ English Language Proficiency: A Meta-Analysis on Research in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-19, July.
    8. Martin Polak & Norbert Tanzer & Per Carlbring, 2022. "PROTOCOL: Effects of virtual reality exposure therapy versus in vivo exposure in treating social anxiety disorder in adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(3), September.
    9. Muthanna Samara & Bruna Da Silva Nascimento & Aiman El-Asam & Sara Hammuda & Nabil Khattab, 2021. "How Can Bullying Victimisation Lead to Lower Academic Achievement? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Mediating Role of Cognitive-Motivational Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-21, February.
    10. Xian-Tao Zeng & Wei Luo & Wei Huang & Quan Wang & Yi Guo & Wei-Dong Leng, 2013. "Tooth Loss and Head and Neck Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(11), pages 1-8, November.
    11. Zhao-Feng Chen & Lufei Young & Chong Ho Yu & S. Pamela K. Shiao, 2018. "A Meta-Prediction of Methylenetetrahydrofolate-Reductase Polymorphisms and Air Pollution Increased the Risk of Ischemic Heart Diseases Worldwide," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-16, July.
    12. Chun-Yu Chang & Po-Chen Lin & Yung-Jiun Chien & Chien-Sheng Chen & Meng-Yu Wu, 2020. "Analysis of Chest-Compression Depth and Full Recoil in Two Infant Chest-Compression Techniques Performed by a Single Rescuer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-17, June.
    13. Daniele Nucci & Cristina Fatigoni & Andrea Amerio & Anna Odone & Vincenza Gianfredi, 2020. "Red and Processed Meat Consumption and Risk of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-20, September.
    14. Lauren Maxwell & Karen Devries & Danielle Zionts & Jeanne L Alhusen & Jacquelyn Campbell, 2015. "Estimating the Effect of Intimate Partner Violence on Women’s Use of Contraception: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(2), pages 1-25, February.
    15. Woodley of Menie, Michael A. & Peñaherrera-Aguirre, Mateo & Sarraf, Matthew A., 2022. "Signs of a Flynn effect in rodents? Secular differentiation of the manifold of general cognitive ability in laboratory mice (Mus musculus) and Norwegian rats (Rattus norvegicus) over a century—Results," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    16. Teresa Del Giudice & Carla Cavallo & Francesco Caracciolo & Gianni Cicia, 2015. "What attributes of extra virgin olive oil are really important for consumers: a meta-analysis of consumers’ stated preferences," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 3(1), pages 1-15, December.
    17. Panayiotis D Ziakas & Rachana Thapa & Louis B Rice & Eleftherios Mylonakis, 2013. "Trends and Significance of VRE Colonization in the ICU: A Meta-Analysis of Published Studies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(9), pages 1-1, September.
    18. Shuying Chen & Qingyu Shen & Yamei Tang & Lei He & Yi Li & Hui Li & Mei Li & Ying Peng, 2014. "Efficacy and Safety of Adding Clopidogrel to Aspirin on Stroke Prevention among High Vascular Risk Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(8), pages 1-10, August.
    19. Beaulieu, Myriam & Tremblay, Joël & Baudry, Claire & Pearson, Jessica & Bertrand, Karine, 2021. "A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of the long-term treatment and support of substance use disorders," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    20. Heleen Riper & Matthijs Blankers & Hana Hadiwijaya & John Cunningham & Stella Clarke & Reinout Wiers & David Ebert & Pim Cuijpers, 2014. "Effectiveness of Guided and Unguided Low-Intensity Internet Interventions for Adult Alcohol Misuse: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(6), pages 1-11, June.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0162226. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: plosone (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.