JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Abstract Background The advances in experimental psychology have led to a better understanding of unconscious, automatic processes that result in individuals relapsing into their substance-using habits. Whilst some reviews have demonstrated the effectiveness of bias retraining of these unconscious biases, there have been other reviews that have highlighted that bias retraining is not always effective. Other studies have revealed there being no baseline biases amongst some participants. An examination of mobile bias retraining interventions also revealed mixed results, with some reporting effectiveness and others null findings. Zhang et al. (2019) in their recent study revealed that 53% of participants have had no baseline biases, and 21% of those with positive baseline biases did not have a positive change in magnitude following intervention. Objective The aim of this article was to explore potential variables (demographic and clinical) that could account for the negative baseline biases in Zhang et al. (2019)’s prior study, and to discuss some of the factors that could account for the absence of baseline biases. We would also explore potential reasons for there to be no reduction in the magnitude of attentional biases, amongst individuals with baseline biases. Methods The methods for this study have been previously published as a study protocol (Zhang et al. (2018)) and in Zhang’s published feasibility and acceptability study. Results In our study, 53% of individuals did not present with baseline attentional biases, and amongst those with positive baseline biases, 21% (or three participants out of 14 participants) did not have a reduction in the overall magnitude of attentional biases. Chi-square analyses undertaken to compare the demographic characteristics of participants with and without baseline biases did not reveal any significant findings. However, with respect to clinical characteristics, those who have had positive baseline biases have experimented with more substances. Conclusions Our study is one of the first studies to have explored negative findings in attention bias modification interventions for individuals with addictive disorders. We postulate that being several factors that could account for the absence of baseline biases; and there being no changes following bias retraining. Future research ought to take into consideration these factors.