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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02481752

The Effect of AAT Training in Smokers

The purpose of this research study is to investigate the effect of a brief computer task (Approach Avoidance Task) on smoking cessation. The investigators will use a novel training protocol that works to target automatic thoughts and tendencies that occur outside of conscious control. Previous research suggests that these automatic tendencies may have a direct effect on certain health behaviors- like continuing to smoke despite having previous quit attempts.

The investigators hypothesize that individuals in the AAT training condition will evidence a greater decrease in reaction times to avoid smoking-related stimuli & approach positive stimuli relative to those in the control condition. The investigators also expect that individuals in the AAT condition will exhibit superior outcomes on several quit-related variables as evidenced by an increase in motivation to quit smoking, an increase in number of days abstinent following a self-guided quit attempt, an increase in self-efficacy, and a decrease in urge to smoke compared to those in the SHAM training condition.

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Key information

Conditions

Tobacco Use Behavior Chemically-Induced Disorders Mental Disorders Substance-Related Disorders Tobacco Use Disorder

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas, 78712, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male and female patients ages 18-65 capable of providing informed consent
  • Willing and able to provide informed consent, attend all study visits, and comply with the protocol
  • Daily smoker for at least 6 months
  • Currently smoke an average of at least 8 cigarettes per day
  • Report a motivation to quit smoking of at least 5 on a 10-point scale
  • Interest in making a serious quit attempt within the next month (without professional assistance or nicotine therapy)
  • Have not decreased their number of cigarettes by more than half in the last six months

Exclusion criteria

  • Visual or hand-motoric impairments
  • Current use of nicotine replacement therapy
  • Current use of tobacco products other than cigarettes
  • Insufficient command of the English language

Treatment and study plan

Approach Avoidance Training

Other

The Approach Avoidance Task (AAT) used for this experiment is an implicit, computerized paradigm in which participants respond to visually presented pictures on a computer screen displaying either 1) smoking-related images or 2) positive images, by pulling a joystick either towards their body (approach movement) or pushing it away from their body (avoidance movement). By pulling the joystick towards their body, the picture grows in size; by pushing the joystick away, the picture shrinks and then disappears from the screen. Participants are instructed to pull upon seeing an image tilted to the right and to push upon seeing a left-tilt image, while ignoring the image content and responding as quickly and as accurately as possible.

SHAM Training

Other

Primary outcomes

  1. Reaction Time on Approach Avoidance Task

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    The time between the start of the trial and the picture disappearing from the screen will be recorded. The investigators will look at the change in response times for each individual. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a greater decrease in reaction time for those in the AAT training group.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Motivation to Quit Smoking as assessed by having participants rate their motivation to quit smoking on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being not motivated at all and 10 being extremely motivated to quit).

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    The investigators expect that individuals in the AAT training condition will have a greater motivation to quit smoking relative to those in the SHAM condition.

  2. Number of Days Abstinent as assessed by daily cigarette count during a self-guided quit attempt.

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    The investigators hypothesize that individuals in the AAT training condition will be more likely to have a greater number of days abstinent following Quit Day relative to those in the SHAM condition.

  3. Self Efficacy as assessed by the Relapse Situation Self-Efficacy questionnaire.

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    The investigators expect to see a greater increase in self-efficacy for the AAT training group relative to the SHAM training group.

  4. Urge to Smoke as assessed by the QSU-brief (Questionnaire of Smoking Urges).

    Time frame: 2 weeks

    The investigators hypothesize that individuals in the AAT training condition will evidence a greater decrease in urge to smoke relative to those in the SHAM condition.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Jasper A. Smits

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Jun 25, 2015
Registry last updated
Jun 15, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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