Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Bias Correction in Real and Placebo Modes

• Main Authors: F Zeraat Herfeh, SMH Mousavi Nasab, A Rahmati
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Yasuj University Of Medical Sciences 2019-12-01
• Series: Armaghane Danesh Bimonthly Journal
• Subjects: attentional bias; drug users; opium dependence
• Online Access: http://armaghanj.yums.ac.ir/article-1-2380-en.html

Background & aim: Inability to control drug use is one of the main aspects of drug dependence. Part of this disability is due to the cognitive biases that result from people's constant exposure to substances. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the effectiveness of cognitive bias correction in real and placebo modes. Methods: The present research was a quasi-experimental study with pretest and posttest design and control group. of Kerman's opiate users in 2018, 75 individuals were selected by purposive sampling and were randomly divided into three equal groups(experimental, placebo, and control). Computer tasks were used to correct cognitive bias in both experimental and placebo groups. These tasks included: dot probe task (to correct attentional bias) and avoidance task(to correct tendency bias) that were used in each treatment session in combination. In the real group for 8 sessions, the real version of the cognitive bias correction task was presented and the placebo group received the placebo version for 8 sessions, but the control group received no intervention. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The results revealed that after intervention, attention bias in the real group(M=28.28 SD=38.57) compared to the placebo group(M=0.16 SD=34.36) and the control group decreased significantly. A significant decrease was also observed in (SD=33.73 M=16.03) and attentional bias correction treatment decreased attentional bias (p≥0.05), but placebo of this intervention had no effect on attentional bias. There was also a meaningful difference in tendency bias between the real and placebo groups (p≥0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated the effectiveness of cognitive bias correction intervention on attentional bias and tendency bias in opiate abusers and may be used as a complementary and low cost intervention in addiction treatment.