An Attentional Control Task Reduces Intrusive Thoughts About Smoking
Open accessAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Attentional control tasks such as body scanning and following isometric exercise instructions have been shown to reduce smoking cravings, apparently by reducing stress (Ussher, M., Cropley, M., Playle, S., Mohidin, R., & West, R. [2009]. Effect of isometric exercise and body scanning on cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Addiction, 104, 1251-1257. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02605.x). Related work based upon elaborated intrusion theory (Kavanagh, D. J., Andrade, J., & May, J. [2005]. Imaginary relish and exquisite torture: The elaborated intrusion theory of desire. Psychological Review, 112, 446-467. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.112.2.446) has shown that similar tasks can reduce hungry participants' involuntary food-related thoughts (May, J., Andrade, J., Batey, H., Berry, L.-M., & Kavanagh, D. [2010]. Less food for thought: Impact of attentional instructions on intrusive thoughts about snack foods. Appetite, 55, 279-287. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2010.06.014). This study tests the effect of body scanning instructions upon smoking-related thoughts as well as craving. METHODS: Twenty-seven smokers took part in 2 counterbalanced sessions, on different days, having been asked to abstain from smoking for 2 hr. In each session, they followed audio instructions for three 10-min blocks during which their thoughts were probed 10 times. In the first and third blocks, they were instructed to let their mind wander; during the second block of the control session, they also let their mind wander, but in the experimental session, they followed body scanning instructions. "Smoking thought frequency" was assessed using thought probes; "Craving" was measured using Factor 1 of the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges (Tiffany, S. T., & Drobes, D. J. [1991]. The development and initial validation of a questionnaire on smoking urges. British Journal of Addiction, 86, 1467-1476. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.1991.tb01732.x). RESULTS: Participants reported fewer smoking-related thoughts and lower smoking cravings in the body scanning block of the experimental session, whereas they rose in the comparable mind-wandering block of the control session. The reduction in thoughts during the body scanning correlated with the corresponding reduction in craving. CONCLUSIONS: Body scanning reduces cravings and reduces the frequency or shortens the duration of smoking thoughts. Attentional control strategies may form a useful part of smoking cessation practices.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The overall mean ES indicated that PFM-based strategies were superior at reducing craving relative to inactive control.
“The overall mean ES from available data (Litvin et al. 2012; May et al. 2011; Ruscio et al. 2016; Ussher et al. 2009; Ussher et al. 2006; Westbrook et al. 2013) indicated that PFM-based strategies were superior at reducing craving relative to inactive control (k = 6, n = 386; ES = −0.24, 95% CI [−0.44, −0.03], z = 2.30, p = 0.02).”
From Mindfulness, Acceptance and Defusion Strategies in Smokers: A Systematic Review of Laboratory Studies (2018) · cites this paper as May et al. 2011
Six of the seven studies that compared a PFM strategy with an inactive control condition reported significantly larger reductions in cravings in the PFM group.
“Six of the seven studies that compared a PFM strategy with an inactive control condition reported significantly larger reductions in cravings in the PFM group”
From Mindfulness, Acceptance and Defusion Strategies in Smokers: A Systematic Review of Laboratory Studies (2018) · cites this paper as May et al. 2011
These effects were generally most evident immediately after strategy use.
“although these effects were generally most evident immediately after strategy use”
From Mindfulness, Acceptance and Defusion Strategies in Smokers: A Systematic Review of Laboratory Studies (2018) · cites this paper as May et al. 2011
To the extent that smoking-related thoughts contribute to craving, the latter findings suggest a more favourable outcome for suppression.
“To the extent that smoking-related thoughts contribute to craving (May et al. 2011), the latter findings suggest a more favourable outcome for suppression”
From Mindfulness, Acceptance and Defusion Strategies in Smokers: A Systematic Review of Laboratory Studies (2018) · cites this paper as May et al. 2011
May et al. (2011) showed that compared to an inactive (mind wandering) control, the PFM strategy (body scan) resulted in a reduction in the frequency of smoking thoughts.
“In contrast, May et al. (2011) showed that compared to an inactive (mind wandering) control, the PFM strategy (body scan) resulted in a reduction in the frequency of smoking thoughts.”
From Mindfulness, Acceptance and Defusion Strategies in Smokers: A Systematic Review of Laboratory Studies (2018) · cites this paper as May et al. 2011
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Smallwood, J., & Schooler, J. W. (2006) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.132.6.946 · Cited by 2,067 · see citing works
Load Theory of Selective Attention and Cognitive Control
Lavie, N., Hirst, A., de Fockert, J. W., & Viding, E. (2004) · Journal of Experimental Psychology: General · doi:10.1037/0096-3445.133.3.339 · Cited by 1,812 · see citing works
The psychology and neurobiology of addiction: an incentive–sensitization view
Robinson, T. E., & Berridge, K. C. (2000) · Addiction · doi:10.1046/j.1360-0443.95.8s2.19.x · Cited by 1,507 · see citing works
The development and initial validation of a questionnaire on smoking urges
TIFFANY, S. T., & DROBES, D. J. (1991) · British Journal of Addiction · doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.1991.tb01732.x · Cited by 974 · see citing works
Imaginary Relish and Exquisite Torture: The Elaborated Intrusion Theory of Desire.
Kavanagh, D. J., Andrade, J., & May, J. (2005) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037/0033-295x.112.2.446 · Cited by 956 · see citing works
Self-citationMcVay, J. C., & Kane, M. J. (2010) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0018298 · Cited by 631 · see citing works
Working memory and the vividness of imagery
Baddeley, A. D., & Andrade, J. (2000) · Journal of Experimental Psychology: General · doi:10.1037/0096-3445.129.1.126 · Cited by 568 · see citing works
Self-citationZhou, X., Nonnemaker, J., Sherrill, B., Gilsenan, A. W., Coste, F., & West, R. (2009) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2008.11.013 · Cited by 508 · see citing works
(1989) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.27-2392 · Cited by 438 · see citing works
Craving is associated with smoking relapse: Findings from three prospective studies.
Killen, J. D., & Fortmann, S. P. (1997) · Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1037//1064-1297.5.2.137 · Cited by 413 · see citing works
A day at a time: Predicting smoking lapse from daily urge.
Shiffman, S. M., Engberg, J., Paty, J. A., Perz, W. G., Gnys, M., Kassel, J. D., & Hickcox, M. (1997) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037//0021-843x.106.1.104 · Cited by 370 · see citing works
Implementation Intentions and Shielding Goal Striving From Unwanted Thoughts and Feelings
Achtziger, A., Gollwitzer, P. M., & Sheeran, P. (2008) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin · doi:10.1177/0146167207311201 · Cited by 348 · see citing works
Craving is associated with smoking relapse: Findings from three prospective studies.
Killen, J. D., & Fortmann, S. P. (1997) · Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1037/1064-1297.5.2.137 · Cited by 342 · see citing works
Taylor, A. H., Ussher, M. H., & Faulkner, G. (2007) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01739.x · Cited by 324 · see citing works
Severity of withdrawal symptoms as a predictor of outcome of an attempt to quit smoking
West, R. J., Hajek, P., & Belcher, M. (1989) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291700005705 · Cited by 279 · see citing works
A day at a time: Predicting smoking lapse from daily urge.
Shiffman, S. M., Engberg, J., Paty, J. A., et al. (1997) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037/0021-843x.106.1.104 · Cited by 273 · see citing works
Harnessing the wandering mind: The role of perceptual load
Forster, S., & Nilli Lavie, C. (2009) · Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.cognition.2009.02.006 · Cited by 253 · see citing works
INFORMATION THEORY AND STIMULUS‐INDEPENDENT THOUGHT
ANTROBUS, J. S. (1968) · British Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.2044-8295.1968.tb01157.x · Cited by 240 · see citing works
Images of desire: cognitive models of craving.
May, J., Andrade, J., Panabokke, N., & Kavanagh, D. (2004) · Memory · doi:10.1080/09658210444000061 · Cited by 222 · see citing works
Effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions among adults: a systematic review of reviews
Lemmens, V., Oenema, A., Knut, I. K., & Brug, J. (2008) · European Journal of Cancer Prevention · doi:10.1097/cej.0b013e3282f75e48 · Cited by 220 · see citing works
West, R., Walia, A., Hyder, N., Shahab, L., & Michie, S. (2010) · Nicotine & Tobacco Research · doi:10.1093/ntr/ntq074 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Working memory and stimulus-independent thought: Effects of memory load and presentation rate
Teasdale, J. D., Proctor, L., Lloyd, C. A., & Baddeley, A. (1993) · The European Journal of Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1080/09541449308520128 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Kemps, E., & Tiggemann, M. (2007) · Journal of Experimental Psychology Applied · doi:10.1037/1076-898x.13.2.95 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Thought suppression and smoking cessation
Salkovskis, P. M., & Reynolds, M. (1994) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/0005-7967(94)90112-0 · Cited by 137 · see citing works
Effect of isometric exercise and body scanning on cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms
Ussher, M., Cropley, M., Playle, S., Mohidin, R., & West, R. (2009) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02605.x · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Less food for thought. Impact of attentional instructions on intrusive thoughts about snack foods
May, J., Andrade, J., Batey, H., Emerson, L., & Kavanagh, D. J. (2010) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2010.06.014 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Self-citationCropley, M., Ussher, M., & Charitou, E. (2007) · Addiction · doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.01832.x · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Erskine, J., Georgiou, G. J., & Kvavilashvili, L. (2010) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0956797610378687 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Effect of brief imagery interventions on craving in college student smokers
Versland, A., & Rosenberg, H. (2007) · Addiction Research & Theory · doi:10.1080/16066350701200582 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Visuospatial tasks suppress craving for cigarettes
May, J., Andrade, J., Panabokke, N., & Kavanagh, D. J. (2010) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.02.001 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Self-citationAcute effect of isometric exercise on desire to smoke and tobacco withdrawal symptoms
USSHER, M. H., West, R., Doshi, R. H., & Sampuran, A. K. (2006) · Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental · doi:10.1002/hup.744 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Reduction of food cravings through concurrent visuospatial processing
Kemps, E., Tiggemann, M., Woods, D., & Soekov, B. (2004) · International Journal of Eating Disorders · doi:10.1002/eat.20005 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Emotional and Behavioral Reaction to Intrusive Thoughts
Berry, L.-M., May, J., Andrade, J., & Kavanagh, D. J. (2009) · Assessment · doi:10.1177/1073191109344694 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Self-citationEffect of thought suppression on desire to smoke and tobacco withdrawal symptoms
Erskine, J., USSHER, M. H., Cropley, M., Elgindi, A., Zaman, M., & Corlett, B. (2011) · Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1007/s00213-011-2391-4 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2008). Treating tobacco use and dependence: 2008 update of clinical practice guidelines. Rockville, MD. Retrieved 6/6/2011 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK12239/
Cited by
Sorted by citations
May, J., Kavanagh, D. J., & Andrade, J. (2015) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.09.016 · Cited by 216 · see citing works
Mindfulness and craving: effects and mechanisms
Tapper, K. (2018) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2017.11.003 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation
Heppner, W. L., Spears, C. A., Vidrine, J. I., & Wetter, D. W. (2015) · Handbook of Mindfulness and Self-Regulation · doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2263-5_9 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Ashe, M. L., Newman, M. G., & Wilson, S. J. (2015) · Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior · doi:10.1002/jeab.122 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Perkins-Porras, L., Riaz, M., Okekunle, A., Zhelezna, S., Chakravorty, I., & Ussher, M. (2018) · Chronic Respiratory Disease · doi:10.1177/1479972318766140 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Serfaty, S., Gale, G., Beadman, M., Froeliger, B., & Kamboj, S. K. (2018) · Mindfulness · doi:10.1007/s12671-017-0767-1 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
- Authors
- May, J., Andrade, J., Willoughby, K., & Brown, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Plymouth (GB)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Nicotine & Tobacco Research
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2011-12-16
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 472-478
- ISSN
- 1462-2203 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-994X
- OpenAlex
- W2163761767
- Cited by
- 24
- References
- 34
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- Nicotine & Tobacco Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PEARL (University of Plymouth) (submittedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Keywords
- body scanning, attentional control, intrusive thoughts, cigarette craving, smoking urges, smoking cessation, thought probes, mind wandering, craving reduction, stress reduction, isometric exercise, smoking withdrawal symptoms
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Attention, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Smoking, Substance Withdrawal Syndrome, Thinking, Tobacco Use Disorder, Exercise, Smoking Cessation, Behavior, Addictive, Young Adult
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
