Examining the Viability of Video Game Interventions for Heavy Alcohol Drinkers
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Date
2022-09-29
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Abstract
Alcohol cue reactivity is a process in which cues typically signaling alcohol administration come to elicit conditioned responses such as strong, positive emotions and cravings for alcohol in heavy drinkers. Research evidence suggests that impaired memory and/or attentional processes may, in part, contribute to cue reactivity for alcohol. Virtual video games can offer an improved way to measure cue reactivity and/or deliver cue exposure interventions for alcohol, although evidence for their potential efficacy remains understudied. In a series of studies, we examined the ability of novel video games to 1) measure attention and working memory, 2) measure cue reactivity in terms of in-game scoring and 3) examine subjective emotions and cravings for alcohol post-gameplay. We found that our games were significantly correlated with established measures of attention and memory. Performance on one of the games was also dependent upon participants’ drinking levels. Further, a heavy drinking sample playing game versions embedded with alcohol stimuli reported 1) increased cue reactivity for alcohol imagery after a single gaming session, and 2) decreased cue reactivity for neutral imagery after repeated gaming sessions. Our results suggest that video game interventions for heavy alcohol drinkers can decrease their positive feelings and cravings for alcohol, although this is likely influenced by the type of game played and length of exposure received.
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alcohol, cue reactivity, video games, attention, working memory