Perspectives on Modifying Attentional Biases Amongst Individuals with Tobacco Use Disorder Using Technology: A Review

Abstract

Smoking remains a significant health problem. Attentional biases influence smoking behaviours, but have not been the target of psychosocial interventions. The first part of this perspective article will provide an overview of the theoretical constructs underlying attentional biases, methods of measuring attentional biases, and evidence for attentional bias modification amongst individuals with tobacco use disorders. The second part of this article will outline how the advent of technological advances could be harnessed in attentional bias modification for smokers. As there is potential for attentional bias training to be delivered via mobile app, literature was reviewed over the recent decade, 2009 to 2019, to examine available research evidence. The search terms were “web-based” or “mobile based”, and “attention bias modification” or “attentional bias” and “smoking” or “tobacco use”. The PsycINFO, Scopus, and PubMed databases were initially used to identify papers with the above-mentioned inclusion criteria. Five papers were included in the review. Lastly, an integrated perspective will be provided, from both clinical and research standpoints. In conclusion, more research is needed to address the gaps in knowledge and to provide an evidence base for the implementation of mobile phone technologies for attention retraining in smokers.