Investigating cognitive training tasks to reduce heavy drinking

INTERVENTION: Participants were randomised using the simple randomisation technique of a random number table. Participants attended the University of Manchester, and following consent, an alcohol breath test and drug urine screen will be obtained. Demographic information was collected and an assessment of drug and alcohol history, including the SCID (Structured Clinical Interview for Depression) for dependence history, was conducted. A 28‐day Timeline followback was be used to assess alcohol consumption. The 32 participants attended for a maximum 2 hour session comprising personality measures and neuropsychological testing both inside and outside of the scanner. Participants are randomised to read either an implementation intention or goal intention directed at task performance inside the scanner after the first round of neuropsychological tasks, but before repeating them. All questionnaires and tests were computerised and participants will perform the practice tests and questionnaires in a designated quiet testing room, with comfort breaks as required. The scanning element of the test session took approximately one hour. Questionnaire measures included measures of current alcohol behaviour, attitudes and habits as well as of impulsive behaviours. Participants were contacted one month later to complete another 28 day Timeline Followback via telephone. CONDITION: Heavy alcohol use ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders ; Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol PRIMARY OUTCOME: Alcohol consumption measured using a 28‐day Timeline Followback at baseline and one month follow‐up SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; 1. Cognition measured using reaction times and errors on the Approach Avoidance and Visual Probe tasks at a single session; 2. Blood‐oxygen‐level dependent (BOLD) activity assessed using MR techniques at a single session; INCLUSION CRITERIA: Consumption of 21 or more units of alcohol per week but not meeting SCID criteria for dependence