Fernanda Machado Lopes

Attentional bias modification in smokers trying to quit: A longitudinal study about the effects of number of sessions☆

Attentional bias modification (ABM) to avoid smoking-related cues is a potentially new intervention in addition to existing therapy to stop smoking. We examined immediate and long-term changes in attentional bias and treatment outcomes from multiple ABM sessions in 67 smokers trying to quit. After assessing attentional bias baseline, participants were randomly allocated to one of three training groups: three sessions of ABM (avoid 3); two sessions of placebo-ABM and one session of ABM (avoid 1); and three sessions of placebo-ABM (avoid 0). At baseline, all groups had similar positive attentional bias, which became negative at 24h post-training. After 1 month, avoid 1 and avoid 3 still exhibited negative attentional biases. Only avoid 3 maintained this effect at 6-month, but not at 12-month assessments. ABM produced a long-lasting automatic and maintained avoidance to smoking-related cues which depended on number of sessions; however its effects on treatment outcomes are uncertain.

Viés atencional no abuso de drogas: teoria e método

Attentional bias to drug-related cues can induce craving, decrease concentration on non-related drug tasks and increase vulnerability to relapse in drug addicts. The aim of this study is to discuss current theories and research methods about the attentional bias role on addictive behaviors. The literature review of Medline, Pubmed and Lilacs databases showed that the dot-probe task and the emotional Stroop test are among the main methods of attentional bias investigation. This review also pointed out the methodological limitations in attentional bias research, suggesting that this phenomenon should be studied under better controlled conditions, which should consider levels of dependence, withdrawal and craving. Further studies on attentional bias can help to understand cognitive processes that underlie addictive behaviors.

Attentional bias modification based on visual probe task: methodological issues, results and clinical relevance

INTRODUCTION Attentional bias, the tendency that a person has to drive or maintain attention to a specific class of stimuli, may play an important role in the etiology and persistence of mental disorders. Attentional bias modification has been studied as a form of additional treatment related to automatic processing. OBJECTIVES This systematic literature review compared and discussed methods, evidence of success and potential clinical applications of studies about attentional bias modification (ABM) using a visual probe task. METHODS The Web of Knowledge, PubMed and PsycInfo were searched using the keywords attentional bias modification, attentional bias manipulation and attentional bias training. We selected empirical studies about ABM training using a visual probe task written in English and published between 2002 and 2014. RESULTS Fifty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. Most (78%) succeeded in training attention in the predicted direction, and in 71% results were generalized to other measures correlated with the symptoms. CONCLUSIONS ABM has potential clinical utility, but to standardize methods and maximize applicability, future studies should include clinical samples and be based on findings of studies about its effectiveness.

Factors associated with recurrence of alcohol-related traffic violations in southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE To analyze variables associated with recurrence of blood alcohol content (BAC)-related traffic violations among drivers in southern Brazil. METHOD This cross-sectional study included 12,204 driving-under-the-influence (DUI) offenders according to data provided by the Rio Grande do Sul state Transportation Department. Sociodemographic characteristics, license duration, license category, and psychological assessment results were analyzed. Drivers convicted of DUI more than once in 2009/2010 were considered recidivists. Variables were evaluated using descriptive statistical analysis and Poisson regression, adjusted by sex, age, and education level. RESULTS A total of 538 (4.41%) drivers were considered recidivists. The following variables showed the strongest associations with recidivism: being aged 41-50 years (prevalence ratio [PR] = 3.41), being licensed for ≥ 12 years (PR = 1.86), being licensed for motorcycles, cars and trucks (PR = 1.36), having a license with psychological restrictions (PR = 1.33), and driving a truck or a similar vehicle at the moment of notification (PR = 1.08). CONCLUSIONS In the age group with the highest risk for recurrence, drivers showed a higher probability of having a diagnosis of alcohol dependence and other psychiatric comorbidities that hinder the control of alcohol use. Psychological assessments seem to be important in predicting repeat offenses, especially when limited aptitudes are suspected, and should therefore be better investigated.

Aplicação de um programa de cessação do tabagismo com rodoviários urbanos

El presente relato tiene como objetivo describir la aplicacion de un programa de cese del tabaquismo realizado en una empresa de transporte colectivo urbano que implanto la politica del ambiente libre del humo. Se desea contribuir presentando un modelo de intervencion de abordaje cognoscitivo comportamental posible de ser implantado en el contexto organizacional. Metodo: el programa fue realizado en tres etapas: computo del numero de fumadores (n=90; 13% del universo total de empleados), evaluacion del nivel de dependencia de nicotina (n=30; 33% de los fumadores) y realizacion de los grupos de cese del tabaquismo, de los cuales participaron 16 fumadores (18%). Los grupos ocurrieron en cuatro encuentros semanales, con duracion de dos horas cada uno, siendo que, despues de treinta dias, fue realizado un encuentro de mantenimiento. Resultados: el programa demostro una buena eficacia, pues, de los 16 fumadores que participaron, 7 alcanzaron la abstinencia y 9 redujeron el consumo. Conclusion: los psicologos pueden ser agentes comprometidos en mantener un ambiente libre de humo y prevenir los efectos del tabaquismo en las organizaciones utilizando intervenciones cognoscitivo comportamentales como la descripta.The aim of this report is to describe a smoking cessation program held in an urban bus company which implemented a smoke-free environment policy. The aim of the program was to offer cognitivebehavioral counseling to workers who wished to quit smoking, facilitating the transition to a smoke-free environment and reducing healthcare costs associated with smoking for both the employee and the employer. Method: the program was conducted in three stages: assessing the number of smokers (n=90; 13% of total employees), assessing their level of nicotine dependence (n=30; 33% of smokers) and offering smoking cessation assistance consisting of education and counseling in groups (n=16; 13% smokers agreed to participate). There were four weekly meetings in the company, lasting two hours each, and a fifth meeting thirty days later as a follow-up. Results: the program was efficient, as 7 quitted smoking and 9 reduced their consumption. Conclusion: psychologists can be comitted to maintain a smoke-free environment and the effect of smoking in organizations using planned cognitive-behavioral interventions similar to the one described in this report.The aim of this report is to describe a smoking cessation program held in an urban bus company which implemented a smoke-free environment policy. The aim of the program was to offer cognitivebehavioral counseling to workers who wished to quit smoking, facilitating the transition to a smoke-free environment and reducing healthcare costs associated with smoking for both the employee and the employer. Method: the program was conducted in three stages: assessing the number of smokers (n=90; 13% of total employees), assessing their level of nicotine dependence (n=30; 33% of smokers) and offering smoking cessation assistance consisting of education and counseling in groups (n=16; 13% smokers agreed to participate). There were four weekly meetings in the company, lasting two hours each, and a fifth meeting thirty days later as a follow-up. Results: the program was efficient, as 7 quitted smoking and 9 reduced their consumption. Conclusion: psychologists can be comitted to maintain a smoke-free environment and the effect of smoking in organizations using planned cognitive-behavioral interventions similar to the one described in this report.

Processamento implícito e dependência química: teoria, avaliação e perspectivas

Recent studies have investigated the implicit cognitive mechanisms that influence the decision to use drugs and drug use behavior, such as attentional bias and reactivity to cues. Those responses are automatically elicited and can increase vulnerability to addiction and relapse. This review aimed to present theoretical perspective of dual-process models of addictive behaviors and to discuss the influence of automatic processes in drug intake, how they can be assessed, and techniques to directly modify them. The results suggest that implicit measures can assess the automatic mechanisms more accurately than explicit measures. Therefore, it is suggested that interventions aimed at the transformation of implicit cognitions can be effective alternatives for the treatment of addictive behaviors.

Smoking cessation program held in an urban bus company

El presente relato tiene como objetivo describir la aplicacion de un programa de cese del tabaquismo realizado en una empresa de transporte colectivo urbano que implanto la politica del ambiente libre del humo. Se desea contribuir presentando un modelo de intervencion de abordaje cognoscitivo comportamental posible de ser implantado en el contexto organizacional. Metodo: el programa fue realizado en tres etapas: computo del numero de fumadores (n=90; 13% del universo total de empleados), evaluacion del nivel de dependencia de nicotina (n=30; 33% de los fumadores) y realizacion de los grupos de cese del tabaquismo, de los cuales participaron 16 fumadores (18%). Los grupos ocurrieron en cuatro encuentros semanales, con duracion de dos horas cada uno, siendo que, despues de treinta dias, fue realizado un encuentro de mantenimiento. Resultados: el programa demostro una buena eficacia, pues, de los 16 fumadores que participaron, 7 alcanzaron la abstinencia y 9 redujeron el consumo. Conclusion: los psicologos pueden ser agentes comprometidos en mantener un ambiente libre de humo y prevenir los efectos del tabaquismo en las organizaciones utilizando intervenciones cognoscitivo comportamentales como la descripta.The aim of this report is to describe a smoking cessation program held in an urban bus company which implemented a smoke-free environment policy. The aim of the program was to offer cognitivebehavioral counseling to workers who wished to quit smoking, facilitating the transition to a smoke-free environment and reducing healthcare costs associated with smoking for both the employee and the employer. Method: the program was conducted in three stages: assessing the number of smokers (n=90; 13% of total employees), assessing their level of nicotine dependence (n=30; 33% of smokers) and offering smoking cessation assistance consisting of education and counseling in groups (n=16; 13% smokers agreed to participate). There were four weekly meetings in the company, lasting two hours each, and a fifth meeting thirty days later as a follow-up. Results: the program was efficient, as 7 quitted smoking and 9 reduced their consumption. Conclusion: psychologists can be comitted to maintain a smoke-free environment and the effect of smoking in organizations using planned cognitive-behavioral interventions similar to the one described in this report.The aim of this report is to describe a smoking cessation program held in an urban bus company which implemented a smoke-free environment policy. The aim of the program was to offer cognitivebehavioral counseling to workers who wished to quit smoking, facilitating the transition to a smoke-free environment and reducing healthcare costs associated with smoking for both the employee and the employer. Method: the program was conducted in three stages: assessing the number of smokers (n=90; 13% of total employees), assessing their level of nicotine dependence (n=30; 33% of smokers) and offering smoking cessation assistance consisting of education and counseling in groups (n=16; 13% smokers agreed to participate). There were four weekly meetings in the company, lasting two hours each, and a fifth meeting thirty days later as a follow-up. Results: the program was efficient, as 7 quitted smoking and 9 reduced their consumption. Conclusion: psychologists can be comitted to maintain a smoke-free environment and the effect of smoking in organizations using planned cognitive-behavioral interventions similar to the one described in this report.

Aplicación de un programa de cese del tabaquismo con empleados del transporte urbano

El presente relato tiene como objetivo describir la aplicacion de un programa de cese del tabaquismo realizado en una empresa de transporte colectivo urbano que implanto la politica del ambiente libre del humo. Se desea contribuir presentando un modelo de intervencion de abordaje cognoscitivo comportamental posible de ser implantado en el contexto organizacional. Metodo: el programa fue realizado en tres etapas: computo del numero de fumadores (n=90; 13% del universo total de empleados), evaluacion del nivel de dependencia de nicotina (n=30; 33% de los fumadores) y realizacion de los grupos de cese del tabaquismo, de los cuales participaron 16 fumadores (18%). Los grupos ocurrieron en cuatro encuentros semanales, con duracion de dos horas cada uno, siendo que, despues de treinta dias, fue realizado un encuentro de mantenimiento. Resultados: el programa demostro una buena eficacia, pues, de los 16 fumadores que participaron, 7 alcanzaron la abstinencia y 9 redujeron el consumo. Conclusion: los psicologos pueden ser agentes comprometidos en mantener un ambiente libre de humo y prevenir los efectos del tabaquismo en las organizaciones utilizando intervenciones cognoscitivo comportamentales como la descripta.The aim of this report is to describe a smoking cessation program held in an urban bus company which implemented a smoke-free environment policy. The aim of the program was to offer cognitivebehavioral counseling to workers who wished to quit smoking, facilitating the transition to a smoke-free environment and reducing healthcare costs associated with smoking for both the employee and the employer. Method: the program was conducted in three stages: assessing the number of smokers (n=90; 13% of total employees), assessing their level of nicotine dependence (n=30; 33% of smokers) and offering smoking cessation assistance consisting of education and counseling in groups (n=16; 13% smokers agreed to participate). There were four weekly meetings in the company, lasting two hours each, and a fifth meeting thirty days later as a follow-up. Results: the program was efficient, as 7 quitted smoking and 9 reduced their consumption. Conclusion: psychologists can be comitted to maintain a smoke-free environment and the effect of smoking in organizations using planned cognitive-behavioral interventions similar to the one described in this report.The aim of this report is to describe a smoking cessation program held in an urban bus company which implemented a smoke-free environment policy. The aim of the program was to offer cognitivebehavioral counseling to workers who wished to quit smoking, facilitating the transition to a smoke-free environment and reducing healthcare costs associated with smoking for both the employee and the employer. Method: the program was conducted in three stages: assessing the number of smokers (n=90; 13% of total employees), assessing their level of nicotine dependence (n=30; 33% of smokers) and offering smoking cessation assistance consisting of education and counseling in groups (n=16; 13% smokers agreed to participate). There were four weekly meetings in the company, lasting two hours each, and a fifth meeting thirty days later as a follow-up. Results: the program was efficient, as 7 quitted smoking and 9 reduced their consumption. Conclusion: psychologists can be comitted to maintain a smoke-free environment and the effect of smoking in organizations using planned cognitive-behavioral interventions similar to the one described in this report.