Attention Training in Smokers: A Feasibility Study of an Ecological Momentary Assessment Approach

Abstract

Attention retraining (AR) is a novel potential treatment for tobacco dependence. AR trains smokers to attend away from smoking cues. Ordinarily AR has been delivered in the lab. We tested the feasibility of delivering AR on a PDA in the field. Smokers (N=12) were randomly assigned to an AR group or control (no training) group. They carried around a PDA for one week. They were prompted to complete 4 assessments per day, including 3 AR (AR group) or control tasks (control group). One PDA malfunctioned. Participants completed 196 of 255 (77%) of presented assessments. Training assessments lasted 10.27 minutes on average. Participants reported that they were not interrupted on the majority (69.4%) of assessments. The data suggested that AR appeared to have the intended effect on attention. This pilot study is the first to show that it is feasible to deliver cognitive training on a PDA in ecologically valid settings.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 04, 2011
Accession Number
AD1013414

Entities

People

  • William F. Kerst

Organizations

  • Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Cognition
  • Dielectric Gases
  • Digestive System Processes
  • Employment
  • Environmental Health
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Health Services
  • Human Behavior
  • Materials
  • Medical Personnel
  • Operating Systems
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Therapy

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.