Modulation of smoking cue reactivity by social context—Implications for exposure therapy in virtual reality
Rationale: Social factors are considered important for the initiation and maintenance of drug abuse. Virtual reality (VR) research on cue reactivity and exposure frequently incorporates social stimuli as part of complex drug-intake scenarios. Attempts are rarely made to dissect the impact of the dif...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Virtual Reality |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2023.926679/full |
| _version_ | 1811158161630953472 |
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| author | Markus H. Winkler Yonghui Li Yonghui Li Paul Pauli Paul Pauli Andreas Mühlberger |
| author_facet | Markus H. Winkler Yonghui Li Yonghui Li Paul Pauli Paul Pauli Andreas Mühlberger |
| author_sort | Markus H. Winkler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Rationale: Social factors are considered important for the initiation and maintenance of drug abuse. Virtual reality (VR) research on cue reactivity and exposure frequently incorporates social stimuli as part of complex drug-intake scenarios. Attempts are rarely made to dissect the impact of the different components and their interactive effects. The present study critically extends this line of research by investigating the modulatory effects of social context on the reactivity evoked by proximal smoking cues.Methods: Thirty-two smokers and 33 never-smokers were presented in VR with proximal cues and neutral stimuli, embedded in a social context or a neutral context. A virtual hand model was used to translate real hand movements into VR. Each trial started with the presentation of the different stimulus–context combinations. Discrete stimuli were presented on the table in front of the participants, and contextual stimuli were presented at the end of the table. Afterward, participants were instructed to grasp the target stimulus (a cigarette vs. a pencil) in front of them. After successful contact, the stimulus appeared in the virtual hand. Modulation of cue reactivity by social context was assessed by self-report, physiological measures, and overt approach behavior.Results: The results revealed modulatory effects of social context on the responses to proximal smoking cues in smokers. In contrast to never-smokers, smoking cues evoked craving in smokers, which was attenuated in a social context. Furthermore, social context increased the latency to approach and contact the cigarette in the group of smokers but did not affect behavioral approach responses in never-smokers. Other data provided indications for interactive, but also main effects of cues and contexts. Interestingly, cue-evoked craving was increased after contact with the virtual cigarette.Conclusion: The present study critically extends previous research by providing evidence for the modulation of cue reactivity by social context. The results are particularly important given the well-established role of drug-associated environmental contexts in the stimulus control of addictive behaviors. Our results emphasize the need to address social context effects on cue reactivity in basic research and treatment and further suggest that changes in the perceived availability of smoking might enhance or inhibit cue-evoked reactivity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:19:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e5cf2b8415fd4f07bc1fa4532cd2ca2f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-4192 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T05:19:43Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Virtual Reality |
| spelling | doaj.art-e5cf2b8415fd4f07bc1fa4532cd2ca2f2023-03-08T11:18:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Virtual Reality2673-41922023-03-01410.3389/frvir.2023.926679926679Modulation of smoking cue reactivity by social context—Implications for exposure therapy in virtual realityMarkus H. Winkler0Yonghui Li1Yonghui Li2Paul Pauli3Paul Pauli4Andreas Mühlberger5Department of Psychology I, Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, GermanyKey Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Psychology I, Biological Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, GermanyCenter of Mental Health, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, GermanyDepartment of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, GermanyRationale: Social factors are considered important for the initiation and maintenance of drug abuse. Virtual reality (VR) research on cue reactivity and exposure frequently incorporates social stimuli as part of complex drug-intake scenarios. Attempts are rarely made to dissect the impact of the different components and their interactive effects. The present study critically extends this line of research by investigating the modulatory effects of social context on the reactivity evoked by proximal smoking cues.Methods: Thirty-two smokers and 33 never-smokers were presented in VR with proximal cues and neutral stimuli, embedded in a social context or a neutral context. A virtual hand model was used to translate real hand movements into VR. Each trial started with the presentation of the different stimulus–context combinations. Discrete stimuli were presented on the table in front of the participants, and contextual stimuli were presented at the end of the table. Afterward, participants were instructed to grasp the target stimulus (a cigarette vs. a pencil) in front of them. After successful contact, the stimulus appeared in the virtual hand. Modulation of cue reactivity by social context was assessed by self-report, physiological measures, and overt approach behavior.Results: The results revealed modulatory effects of social context on the responses to proximal smoking cues in smokers. In contrast to never-smokers, smoking cues evoked craving in smokers, which was attenuated in a social context. Furthermore, social context increased the latency to approach and contact the cigarette in the group of smokers but did not affect behavioral approach responses in never-smokers. Other data provided indications for interactive, but also main effects of cues and contexts. Interestingly, cue-evoked craving was increased after contact with the virtual cigarette.Conclusion: The present study critically extends previous research by providing evidence for the modulation of cue reactivity by social context. The results are particularly important given the well-established role of drug-associated environmental contexts in the stimulus control of addictive behaviors. Our results emphasize the need to address social context effects on cue reactivity in basic research and treatment and further suggest that changes in the perceived availability of smoking might enhance or inhibit cue-evoked reactivity.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2023.926679/fullcue reactivitysocial contextcue exposure therapycue availabilitysmokingsubstance use disorders |
| spellingShingle | Markus H. Winkler Yonghui Li Yonghui Li Paul Pauli Paul Pauli Andreas Mühlberger Modulation of smoking cue reactivity by social context—Implications for exposure therapy in virtual reality Frontiers in Virtual Reality cue reactivity social context cue exposure therapy cue availability smoking substance use disorders |
| title | Modulation of smoking cue reactivity by social context—Implications for exposure therapy in virtual reality |
| title_full | Modulation of smoking cue reactivity by social context—Implications for exposure therapy in virtual reality |
| title_fullStr | Modulation of smoking cue reactivity by social context—Implications for exposure therapy in virtual reality |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modulation of smoking cue reactivity by social context—Implications for exposure therapy in virtual reality |
| title_short | Modulation of smoking cue reactivity by social context—Implications for exposure therapy in virtual reality |
| title_sort | modulation of smoking cue reactivity by social context implications for exposure therapy in virtual reality |
| topic | cue reactivity social context cue exposure therapy cue availability smoking substance use disorders |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2023.926679/full |
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