Reactivity to Smoking Cues in a Social Context: Virtual Reality Experiment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Social contextual factors influence the onset and maintenance of substance abuse. Virtual reality (VR) provides a standardized method to present social stimuli and is increasingly used in addiction research.

Objective

This study examines the influence of a smoking versus a nonsmoking agent in VR on craving in nicotine-dependent male participants. Our primary hypothesis was that the interaction with a smoking agent is associated with increased craving compared to a nonsmoking agent. We expected higher craving in the presence of an agent regardless of the agent's smoking status.

Methods

Using a head-mounted display (Oculus Rift), 50 nicotine-dependent smokers were exposed to four VR conditions on a virtual marketplace: first without an agent, second and third

SUBMITTER: Eidenmueller K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12129368 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature