Alcohol Use DisorderGamificationNCT07103785
The Effectiveness of a Mobile Game Intervention in Alcohol Use Disorder
A study testing Mobile game app and Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson) in people with Alcohol Use Disorder, run by University of Yalova at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile game application targeting attentional bias modification for alcohol stimuli in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder. Attentional bias is the tendency for individuals to pay more attention to some environmental stimuli than others. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Mobile game app and Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 11 Jun 2024to 30 Jun 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Being over the age of 18
- Ability to speak and understand Turkish
- Literacy (reading and writing)
- Ability to use a smartphone
- Having received a formal diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
- Receiving outpatient treatment and follow-up care for AUD
- Scoring 8 or higher on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
Who cannot join
- Currently experiencing an active psychotic episode
- Currently in a manic or hypomanic episode
- Having a neurodevelopmental or neurocognitive disorder
- Exhibiting symptoms of delirium
- Being under the influence of alcohol or other substances to a degree that negatively affects cognitive functioning
- Having participated as a qualitative data contributor in the initial phase of the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Erenköy Ruh Ve Sinir Hastaliklari Eğitim Ve Araştirma Hastanesi
Istanbul
About this study
Official title: The Effectiveness of a Mobile Game Intervention in Modifying Attentional Bias Toward Alcohol Cues: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile game application targeting attentional bias modification for alcohol stimuli in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder. Attentional bias is the tendency for individuals to pay more attention to some environmental stimuli than others. Previous evidence suggests that attentional bias for alcohol stimuli is associated with severity of drinking and craving. The research questions are as follows;
- Does the developed mobile game application reduce the attentional bias related to alcohol?
- Does the developed mobile game application reduce alcohol craving severity?
- Does the developed mobile game application reduce the severity of alcohol drinking? The researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of the mobile game, which aims to reduce attentional bias to alcohol stimuli, as standard treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder (medical treatment) versus standard treatment + mobile game application group.
Read more
Participants,
- Comply with the medical treatment prescribed by the doctor
- Use the mobile gaming app every other day for one month
- Come back in a month for an evaluation
- Be available for a telephone interview three months after the first interview
Read the detailed description
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a significant public health problem that has far-reaching consequences for the well-being of individuals, families, and society. Recent studies have demonstrated that attentional bias for alcohol-related stimuli is associated with several variables, including alcohol craving, alcohol consumption behavior, and relapse following treatment. Therefore, interventions aimed at modifying attentional bias for alcohol cues have been a subject of scholarly interest.
The literature shows that, in addition to psychotherapeutic strategies, computerized versions of conventional attentional bias assessment instruments-referred to as Attentional Bias Modification (ABM)-have been utilized to decrease alcohol-related attentional bias. Some research indicates that ABM training produces results similar to psychotherapeutic treatments. ABM has the benefits of fewer interaction demands, time, and geographical limitations.
Gamified ABM methods have displayed encouraging impacts in decreasing craving, substance use, and relapse in different types of addiction. Nevertheless, research assessing gamified ABM treatments in people specifically diagnosed with AUD is still limited. Due to this shortage, an investigation of the effectiveness of gamified ABM treatments for AUD is deemed both timely and essential. Notably, most current ABM games for AUD have been created for desktop and laptop computers. Considering the extensive availability of mobile devices, providing such treatments through mobile devices will likely boost reach and user acceptance.
To meet these requirements, the current study created a gamified mobile ABM treatment to decrease attentional bias for alcohol cues in patients diagnosed with AUD. In the first phase, qualitative content analysis was gathered, and expert and patient feedback on the game was analyzed. The game was adjusted, and its final version was prepared according to this feedback.
The game's efficacy was tested in a tertiary care hospital in a northwestern province of Türkiye. Sixty subjects were enrolled-30 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group. All the subjects were given standard medical therapy as prescribed by a physician. Besides, the intervention group was also asked to use the mobile game developed for altering alcohol-related attentional bias. They were told to play the game every other day for a month.
The participants filled out the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the Dot-Probe Task as pre- and post-tests. Three months following the post-test, follow-up data were gathered through phone interviews. Statistical analysis through chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, and linear mixed models will be used to assess intervention efficacy.
- Conditions
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Being tested
- Mobile game app, Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson)
- Keywords
- attentional bias, modification, mobile app, gamification
- Medical subject headings
- Alcoholism
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mobile game appOther
The mobile game designed to modify attentional bias toward alcohol-related cues was developed by integrating game elements into a modified version of the dot-probe task. This gamified intervention was installed on the smartphones of participants assigned to the experimental group, and each participant was provided with a unique username and password for access. Participants were instructed to engage with the mobile game every other day over one month.
Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson)Drug
Medicines prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson))
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control group | Active comparator | 30 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Receives: Drug: Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson) |
| Mobile game group | Experimental | 30 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Receives: Other: Mobile game app; Drug: Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Dot-Probe Task
The Dot-Probe Task was used to assess attentional bias toward alcohol cues. The procedure was built using E-Prime 3.0 and conducted via laptop. Each trial began with a fixation cross (1000 ms), followed by alcohol-neutral image pairs for another 500 ms, displayed on opposite sides of the screen. Ninety-two culturally relevant beverage images (46 alcohol, 46 non-alcohol) were used, including beer, wine, rakı, whiskey, water, soda, cola, and iced coffee. The experiment consisted of three blocks of 46 trials. Participants were instructed to identify the location of a probe, appearing where one image had been, by pressing the left or right arrow key as quickly as possible. A four-trial practice block preceded the task. Reaction time differences between probes replacing alcohol vs. neutral cues were used to calculate attentional bias scores. Higher bias scores indicated increased attention toward alcohol-related stimuli.
Measured: Average 30 days: measurement before intervention (Time 1), 4 weeks after intervention, immediately after intervention measurement (Time 2)
Secondary outcomes (2)
The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS)
The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) is a self-report instrument to assess the intensity of alcohol craving during the past week. It evaluates five dimensions of craving: frequency, intensity, duration, resistance, and overall craving. The scale consists of five items under a single subdimension. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 to 6, yielding a maximum total score of 30. Higher scores indicate greater levels of alcohol craving.
Measured: Average 30 days: pre-intervention measurement (Time 1), 4 weeks intervention, immediately after the intervention measurement (Time 2), Three months after Time 2 (Time 3)
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-item questionnaire designed to gather information on alcohol consumption, dependency, and related consequences over the past year. Each question offers 3 to 5 response options that categorize the frequency and amount of alcohol use. The total score is calculated by summing the numerical values assigned to each selected response. A total score of 8 or above indicates harmful use, while a score of 16 or above reflects a high-risk level. At the start of the study, this scale was used to include participants who scored 8 or higher. The AUDIT-C, comprising the first three items of the original AUDIT scale, was utilized as a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessment tool.
Measured: Average 30 days: pre-intervention measurement (Time 1), 4 weeks intervention, immediately after the intervention measurement (Time 2), Three months after Time 2 (Time 3)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Aug 2025
- Study start11 Jun 2024
- Primary completion30 May 2025
- Study completion30 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Alcohol Use DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Yalova
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- TC Erciyes University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Zehra Su Topbaş, TC Erciyes University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07103785
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2011-KAEK/80
- Acronym
- Gamification
- Status last verified
- Jul 2025
- First submitted
- 24 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 5 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Kvamme TL, Pedersen MU, Overgaard M, Thomsen KR, Voon V. Pilot study: Improving attention bias modification of alcohol cues through concealed gaze-contingent feedback in alcohol dependence. Addict Behav Rep. 2019 Nov 6;10:100231. doi: 10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100231. eCollection 2019 Dec.
PubMed 31832536Heitmann J, van Hemel-Ruiter ME, Huisman M, Ostafin BD, Wiers RW, MacLeod C, DeFuentes-Merillas L, Fledderus M, Markus W, de Jong PJ. Effectiveness of attentional bias modification training as add-on to regular treatment in alcohol and cannabis use disorder: A multicenter randomized control trial. PLoS One. 2021 Jun 4;16(6):e0252494. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252494. eCollection 2021.
PubMed 34086751
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effectiveness of a Mobile Game Intervention in Modifying Attentional Bias Toward Alcohol Cues: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07103785
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Gamification / 2011-KAEK/80
- Conditions
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Keywords
- attentional bias, modification, mobile app, gamification
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of YalovaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- TC Erciyes University
- Study start
- 11 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile game application targeting attentional bias modification for alcohol stimuli in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder. Attentional bias is the tendency for individuals to pay more attention to some environmental stimuli than others. Previous evidence suggests that attentional bias for alcohol stimuli is associated with severity of drinking and craving. The research questions are as follows;
- Does the developed mobile game application reduce the attentional bias related to alcohol?
- Does the developed mobile game application reduce alcohol craving severity?
- Does the developed mobile game application reduce the severity of alcohol drinking? The researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of the mobile game, which aims to reduce attentional bias to alcohol stimuli, as standard treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder (medical treatment) versus standard treatment + mobile game application group.
Participants,
- Comply with the medical treatment prescribed by the doctor
- Use the mobile gaming app every other day for one month
- Come back in a month for an evaluation
- Be available for a telephone interview three months after the first interview
Detailed description
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a significant public health problem that has far-reaching consequences for the well-being of individuals, families, and society. Recent studies have demonstrated that attentional bias for alcohol-related stimuli is associated with several variables, including alcohol craving, alcohol consumption behavior, and relapse following treatment. Therefore, interventions aimed at modifying attentional bias for alcohol cues have been a subject of scholarly interest.
The literature shows that, in addition to psychotherapeutic strategies, computerized versions of conventional attentional bias assessment instruments-referred to as Attentional Bias Modification (ABM)-have been utilized to decrease alcohol-related attentional bias. Some research indicates that ABM training produces results similar to psychotherapeutic treatments. ABM has the benefits of fewer interaction demands, time, and geographical limitations.
Gamified ABM methods have displayed encouraging impacts in decreasing craving, substance use, and relapse in different types of addiction. Nevertheless, research assessing gamified ABM treatments in people specifically diagnosed with AUD is still limited. Due to this shortage, an investigation of the effectiveness of gamified ABM treatments for AUD is deemed both timely and essential. Notably, most current ABM games for AUD have been created for desktop and laptop computers. Considering the extensive availability of mobile devices, providing such treatments through mobile devices will likely boost reach and user acceptance.
To meet these requirements, the current study created a gamified mobile ABM treatment to decrease attentional bias for alcohol cues in patients diagnosed with AUD. In the first phase, qualitative content analysis was gathered, and expert and patient feedback on the game was analyzed. The game was adjusted, and its final version was prepared according to this feedback.
The game's efficacy was tested in a tertiary care hospital in a northwestern province of Türkiye. Sixty subjects were enrolled-30 in the intervention group and 30 in the control group. All the subjects were given standard medical therapy as prescribed by a physician. Besides, the intervention group was also asked to use the mobile game developed for altering alcohol-related attentional bias. They were told to play the game every other day for a month.
The participants filled out the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the Dot-Probe Task as pre- and post-tests. Three months following the post-test, follow-up data were gathered through phone interviews. Statistical analysis through chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, and linear mixed models will be used to assess intervention efficacy.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control group | Active comparator | Drug: Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson)30 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. |
| Mobile game group | Experimental | Other: Mobile game app, Drug: Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson)30 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Being over the age of 18
- Ability to speak and understand Turkish
- Literacy (reading and writing)
- Ability to use a smartphone
- Having received a formal diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Currently experiencing an active psychotic episode
- Currently in a manic or hypomanic episode
- Having a neurodevelopmental or neurocognitive disorder
- Exhibiting symptoms of delirium
- Being under the influence of alcohol or other substances to a degree that negatively affects cognitive functioning
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile game appThe mobile game designed to modify attentional bias toward alcohol-related cues was developed by integrating game elements into a modified version of the dot-probe task. This gamified intervention was installed on the smartphones of participants assigned to the experimental group, and each participant was provided with a unique username and password for access. Participants were instructed to engage with the mobile game every other day over one month. | Other | Mobile game group |
| Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson)Medicines prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson)) | Drug | Control group, Mobile game group |
Primary outcome
Dot-Probe Task
Time frame: Average 30 days: measurement before intervention (Time 1), 4 weeks after intervention, immediately after intervention measurement (Time 2)
The Dot-Probe Task was used to assess attentional bias toward alcohol cues. The procedure was built using E-Prime 3.0 and conducted via laptop. Each trial began with a fixation cross (1000 ms), followed by alcohol-neutral image pairs for another 500 ms, displayed on opposite sides of the screen. Ninety-two culturally relevant beverage images (46 alcohol, 46 non-alcohol) were used, including beer, wine, rakı, whiskey, water, soda, cola, and iced coffee. The experiment consisted of three blocks of 46 trials. Participants were instructed to identify the location of a probe, appearing where one image had been, by pressing the left or right arrow key as quickly as possible. A four-trial practice block preceded the task. Reaction time differences between probes replacing alcohol vs. neutral cues were used to calculate attentional bias scores. Higher bias scores indicated increased attention toward alcohol-related stimuli.
2 secondary outcomes
The Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS)
Time frame: Average 30 days: pre-intervention measurement (Time 1), 4 weeks intervention, immediately after the intervention measurement (Time 2), Three months after Time 2 (Time 3)
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)
Time frame: Average 30 days: pre-intervention measurement (Time 1), 4 weeks intervention, immediately after the intervention measurement (Time 2), Three months after Time 2 (Time 3)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Aug 2025.
- Background: PubMed 31832536Kvamme TL, Pedersen MU, Overgaard M, Thomsen KR, Voon V. Pilot study: Improving attention bias modification of alcohol cues through concealed gaze-contingent feedback in alcohol dependence. Addict Behav Rep. 2019 Nov 6;10:100231. doi: 10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100231. eCollection 2019 Dec.
- Background: PubMed 34086751Heitmann J, van Hemel-Ruiter ME, Huisman M, Ostafin BD, Wiers RW, MacLeod C, DeFuentes-Merillas L, Fledderus M, Markus W, de Jong PJ. Effectiveness of attentional bias modification training as add-on to regular treatment in alcohol and cannabis use disorder: A multicenter randomized control trial. PLoS One. 2021 Jun 4;16(6):e0252494. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252494. eCollection 2021.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mobile game app and Akamprosat or Naltrekson or combined medical treatment (Akamprosat and Naltrekson) in people with Alcohol Use Disorder, run by University of Yalova at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Aug 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Dot-Probe Task (time frame: Average 30 days: measurement before intervention (Time 1), 4 weeks after intervention, immediately after intervention measurement (Time 2)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07103785, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Aug 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.