Gamified Adaptive Approach Bias Modification on Individuals With Methamphetamine Use History
Condition: Addiction, Substance
MeSH terms: Substance-Related Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      A randomized controlled trial will be conducted to investigate whether a proposed algorithm
      that adjusts the congruency ratio based on the user's performance and difficulty can enhance
      the effectiveness of approach bias modification. Methamphetamine users will be recruited and
      randomized into an algorithm group, a standard group, and a control group.
    

Detailed description: 
      To assess the efficacy of an adaptive approach bias modification (A-ApBM) paradigm with
      gamified designs and dynamic difficulty adjustments in reducing cue-induced craving in
      individuals with methamphetamine use history. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with three
      study groups: Adaptive ApBM (A-ApBM), Static ApBM (S-ApBM), and control. A-ApBM and S-ApBM
      groups engaged in ApBM training using a smartphone application for four weeks. A-ApBM used an
      adaptive algorithm to dynamically adjust the difficulty level based on individual
      performance, while S-ApBM had a static difficulty level. Cue-induced craving scores were
      assessed using a visual analog scale at baseline, post-intervention, and at week-16
      follow-up.
    

Intervention name(s): Static Approach Bias Modification; Adaptive Approach Bias Modification
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): In the static approach bias modification, users were instructed to swipe upward when they see portrait format images and swipe downward when they see landscape format images. A shrinking animation comes after swiping upward to simulate the visual effect of moving away (approach), and a growing animation comes after swiping downward to simulate the visual effect of moving towards (avoidance). Two types of images, namely drug-related and non-drug-related, were used in the training. The drug-related images were related to methamphetamine (methamphetamine crystals, powders, and paraphernalia), and the non-drug-related images were related to healthy lifestyles (wealth, sports, gourmet, family activities, etc).; In the adaptive approach bias modification, users were instructed to swipe upward when they see portrait format images and swipe downward when they see landscape format images. A shrinking animation comes after swiping upward to simulate the visual effect of moving away (approach), and a growing animation comes after swiping downward to simulate the visual effect of moving towards (avoidance). Two types of images, namely drug-related and non-drug-related, were used in the training. The drug-related images were related to methamphetamine (methamphetamine crystals, powders, and paraphernalia), and the non-drug-related images were related to healthy lifestyles (wealth, sports, gourmet, family activities, etc). An algorithm continuously monitors the performance of the user and adjusts the ratio of congruent and incongruent trials accordingly to attain a desired difficulty curve.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment