Shaping Habitual Impulses For a Tobacco-free Style

Approach Bias Retraining to Augment Long-Term Smoking Cessation Among a Diverse Sample

The present investigation aims to assess the efficacy of an innovative and novel smoking cessation intervention that integrates approach bias retraining (ABR) and standard smoking cessation treatment (ST). Participants will be randomized to either: (1) standard smoking cessation treatment and approach bias retraining (ST+ABR); (2) ST+Sham; or (3) ST-only.

The study employs a randomized controlled design to follow 300 individuals who smoke cigarettes as they engage in a smoking quit attempt following standard smoking cessation treatment (ST). Participants will be randomized to one of three conditions: (1) ST+ABR; (2) ST+Sham; or (3) ST-only. Participants will complete a self-screener, baseline appointment, 7 weeks of smoking cessation treatment, combined with approach bias retraining (if applicable) in the laboratory (with the quit day scheduled for the 6th session), 2x daily ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) for 4-weeks following their quit day, and 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups in the laboratory.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 18 years of age
• Ability to speak English fluently
• Ability to read English fluently
• Ability to write in English fluently
• Biochemical verification of self-reported smoking status following minimum study specified smoking rate endorsement
• Motivated to quit smoking
• Willing to attend in-person visits
• Provide written informed consent, accepting study inclusion criteria and the randomized group assignment
• English literacy of 7th grade or higher, as indicated by a score of 4 or greater on the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine-Short Form (REALM-SF)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having used an e-cigarette in the past 3 months
• Having initiated any mental health therapy or pharmacotherapy within the past 3 months
• Being currently in therapy for substance abuse (including nicotine dependence)
• Being currently enrolled in any other studies at the RESTORE lab to help quit smoking
• Currently using any NRT or psychotherapy products for nicotine cessation
• Currently using Bupropion as a smoking cessation aid and antidepressant
• Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Having high blood pressure that is not under control
• Having a heart attack within the past 2 weeks
• Having Visual impairments
• Hand-motoric impairments
• Currently suicidal or high suicide risk or current or past psychotic disorders of any type, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, anorexia, bulimia assessed using the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview
• Cognitive impairment, verified via a score of ≥8 on the Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6-CIT)