Does Attentional Bias Predict Relapse in Addiction? A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies

ABSTRACT Purpose The relationship between attentional bias and substance use patterns and cravings in addiction is well documented. However, the connections between attentional bias and relapse remain unclear. This systematic review aims to examine and synthesize longitudinal studies on the relation...

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Main Authors: Zehra Su Topbaş, Eda Albayrak Günday, Nuray Şimşek, Emre Usta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-03-01
Series:Brain and Behavior
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70300
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author Zehra Su Topbaş
Eda Albayrak Günday
Nuray Şimşek
Emre Usta
author_facet Zehra Su Topbaş
Eda Albayrak Günday
Nuray Şimşek
Emre Usta
author_sort Zehra Su Topbaş
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Purpose The relationship between attentional bias and substance use patterns and cravings in addiction is well documented. However, the connections between attentional bias and relapse remain unclear. This systematic review aims to examine and synthesize longitudinal studies on the relationship between attentional bias and relapse. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Scopus were searched, yielding 1992 articles. Ultimately, 13 studies were included in this systematic review. Studies were evaluated and coded using a tool developed by the researchers. This review includes studies that explore the associations between attentional bias and relapse related to alcohol and other psychoactive substances. Results Findings on the relationship between attentional bias and relapse were inconsistent. However, studies with larger sample sizes demonstrated significant associations between attentional bias and relapse. Generally, the lack of a clear definition of relapse, varied assessment methods, and differences in the implementation of attentional bias tasks contributed to conflicting results. Conclusion The findings provide valuable insights for professionals in the field of addiction and researchers focusing on attentional bias. Further research is necessary to elucidate the relationship between attentional bias and relapse, emphasizing the need for clear definitions of relapse and the use of reliable methods to evaluate both relapse and attentional bias. In addition, studies investigating the impact of attentional bias modification on relapse outcomes would be beneficial.
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spelling doaj-art-6e751adea0e7472db727fa2cb1a7bbda2025-08-20T03:05:14ZengWileyBrain and Behavior2162-32792025-03-01153n/an/a10.1002/brb3.70300Does Attentional Bias Predict Relapse in Addiction? A Systematic Review of Longitudinal StudiesZehra Su Topbaş0Eda Albayrak Günday1Nuray Şimşek2Emre Usta3Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Nursing Yalova University Yalova TürkiyeFaculty of Health Sciences, Department of Mental Health and Diseases Nursing Erciyes University Kayseri TürkiyeFaculty of Health Sciences, Department of Mental Health and Diseases Nursing Erciyes University Kayseri TürkiyeFaculty of Health Sciences, Department of Child Health and Disease Nursing Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Tokat TürkiyeABSTRACT Purpose The relationship between attentional bias and substance use patterns and cravings in addiction is well documented. However, the connections between attentional bias and relapse remain unclear. This systematic review aims to examine and synthesize longitudinal studies on the relationship between attentional bias and relapse. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, databases including PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Scopus were searched, yielding 1992 articles. Ultimately, 13 studies were included in this systematic review. Studies were evaluated and coded using a tool developed by the researchers. This review includes studies that explore the associations between attentional bias and relapse related to alcohol and other psychoactive substances. Results Findings on the relationship between attentional bias and relapse were inconsistent. However, studies with larger sample sizes demonstrated significant associations between attentional bias and relapse. Generally, the lack of a clear definition of relapse, varied assessment methods, and differences in the implementation of attentional bias tasks contributed to conflicting results. Conclusion The findings provide valuable insights for professionals in the field of addiction and researchers focusing on attentional bias. Further research is necessary to elucidate the relationship between attentional bias and relapse, emphasizing the need for clear definitions of relapse and the use of reliable methods to evaluate both relapse and attentional bias. In addition, studies investigating the impact of attentional bias modification on relapse outcomes would be beneficial.https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70300addictionattentional biasrelapsesubstance use disorder
spellingShingle Zehra Su Topbaş
Eda Albayrak Günday
Nuray Şimşek
Emre Usta
Does Attentional Bias Predict Relapse in Addiction? A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies
Brain and Behavior
addiction
attentional bias
relapse
substance use disorder
title Does Attentional Bias Predict Relapse in Addiction? A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies
title_full Does Attentional Bias Predict Relapse in Addiction? A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies
title_fullStr Does Attentional Bias Predict Relapse in Addiction? A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies
title_full_unstemmed Does Attentional Bias Predict Relapse in Addiction? A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies
title_short Does Attentional Bias Predict Relapse in Addiction? A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies
title_sort does attentional bias predict relapse in addiction a systematic review of longitudinal studies
topic addiction
attentional bias
relapse
substance use disorder
url https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70300
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AT nuraysimsek doesattentionalbiaspredictrelapseinaddictionasystematicreviewoflongitudinalstudies
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