RCT of an Alcohol Approach Bias Modification app among outpatients

We aimed to establish the efficacy of a personalised, gamified ‘approach bias modification’ (ApBM) smartphone app among individuals in outpatient treatment for alcohol disorders. In a double-blind RCT, participants from AOD services received either treatment as usual (TAU) + ApBM, or TAU + sham training over a 4-week period. ApBM participants completed 2 sessions a week and controls a weekly sham-training task, and reported past-week alcohol use at baseline and 4, 8, and 16 weeks later. The primary outcome was standard drinks in the past week. 79 participants downloaded the app and commenced training. Findings revealed a significant time x group interaction (p=.03), where past-week standard drinks declined significantly over the study period in ApBM participants (by 55%), but not controls (non-significant 11% reduction). Findings suggest a brief, simple, personalised ApBM-app can help further reduce alcohol consumption in outpatients.

Victoria Manning | Professor in Addictions, Head of Research, Monash/Turning Point

Victoria Manning is a Professor in Addiction Studies at Monash University and Head of Research & Workforce Development at Turning Point. She has worked as a clinical researcher in addictions in the UK, Asia and Australia for over 25 years, conducting studies that aim to enhance treatment access and innovation, including trials of novel psychological, neurocognitive and peer-based interventions.

Credited Persons

Joshua Garfield | Research Fellow, Monash/Turning Point

Sam Liu | Research Assistant, Monash/Turning Point

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