A pilot trial of using ecological momentary intervention to deliver tetris for alcohol craving among women.

Abstract

Innovative and accessible interventions are critical to address rising rates of alcohol misuse and low rates of alcohol treatment engagement among women. Ecological momentary interventions (EMI) that use technology to deliver interventions in real-time may be a promising avenue to reduce barriers to alcohol interventions for women and ensure they receive intervention when they need it most. Craving is a key proximal predictor of alcohol use that may be beneficial to target using EMI. Tetris is a visuospatial task that may disrupt craving by placing competing demands on visual working memory. This study tested a Tetris EMI for craving and alcohol use among women who reported alcohol misuse. Forty women completed a two-week experimental EMA protocol involving a daily interval-contingent survey assessing past-day alcohol craving and consumption, as well as four daily signal-contingent surveys assessing momentary craving. Participants assigned to the intervention condition (n = 20) were prompted to complete Tetris for four minutes in response to momentary craving and those assigned to the control condition (n = 20) were prompted to wait four minutes before re-rating craving. Participants also completed baseline and post-experimental questionnaires. Results indicated that the Tetris EMI was highly acceptable and generally feasible. The EMI predicted average decreases in momentary craving for those who reported high levels of recognition of possible harms related to their drinking and readiness to change. However, the EMI did not lead to decreases in average daily craving or drinking. Findings suggest craving is a modifiable target for EMIs among women who are more ready for treatment.