A Trial Of Approach Bias Modification Training During Treatment For Cocaine Use Disorder

Launched by ASST FATEBENEFRATELLI SACCO · Jun 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new type of training called Approach Bias Modification (ABM) to see if it can help people with Cocaine Use Disorder reduce their cravings and stay off cocaine longer. ABM uses a computer game where participants learn to push away images related to cocaine and pull closer positive images, like pictures of nature, sports, or music. The goal is to help people develop a stronger automatic response to avoid drug-related cues and focus on healthier, positive things instead. Researchers want to find out if people who do this training have more days without using cocaine compared to those who just receive their usual treatment.

To take part, individuals must be at least 18 years old, have a current diagnosis of Cocaine Use Disorder, and be able to understand and speak Italian well enough to follow instructions and complete questionnaires. Participants will attend one 15-minute ABM session each week for four weeks, where they will use a joystick to respond to different images on a screen. After the training, they will be asked about their cocaine use and cravings at one month and three months to see how well the training worked. People with certain brain injuries, severe psychiatric conditions, or those taking antipsychotic medication will not be eligible. This trial is not yet recruiting but aims to explore a promising new tool to support recovery from cocaine addiction.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • participants must be aged at least 18 years;
• • current DSM 5 TR Cocaine Use Disorder;
• • sufficient Italian language proficiency to understand the participant information sheet, questionnaires and intervention task instructions;
• • signed Consent form.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Participants are excluded from participating if they have:
• • neurological disorder or injury or brain trauma involving loss of consciousness for longer than 30 minutes;
• • severe psychiatric disorder, as evaluated by clinical judgement;
• • antipsychotic medication;
• • intellectual disability;
• • missing Informed Consent;
• • planned absence from attendance through the training period (one month).