Interoceptive attention or merely distraction? An examination of the effects of brief breath counting training on stress-induced alcohol-seeking behavior.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether brief breath counting (mindfulness) reduces stress-induced alcohol cravings more effectively than simple distraction (cross counting).
Results Summary
The study found that brief breath counting attenuated stress-induced increases in alcohol cravings, but it remains unclear whether this effect was due to increased mindfulness or mere distraction.
Population
University students from England and the United States who were young adult alcohol users.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
brief mindfulness (breath counting) interventions | decrease | stress-induced alcohol-related cravings | - | - | may be effective at attenuating | #1 |
brief breath counting | decrease | stress-induced increase in the relative value of alcohol | young adult alcohol users | - | would attenuate | #2 |
Prior research suggests brief mindfulness (breath counting) interventions may be effective at attenuating stress-induced alcohol-related cravings. However, it remains unclear whether this reduction in craving is due to increased state mindfulness or mere distraction. To test this, the present study examined whether brief breath counting would attenuate a stress-induced increase in the relative value of alcohol in young adult alcohol users, and whether this therapeutic effect was superior to simple distraction (cross counting). University students from England and the United States (