The Effects of Working Memory Training on Cigarette Smoking

Abstract

This research addresses how improving working memory capacity could assist daily smokers to reduce cigarette smoking. The relationship between working memory capacity and reducing cigarette smoking may be moderated by automaticity. Six participants, classified as daily smokers via carbon monoxide breath samples, were recruited from Texas State University–San Marcos and were randomly assigned to a treatment or control group. Measures of cigarette dependence, automaticity, and withdrawal were taken from each participant. The treatment and control groups were assigned to a difficult or easy level of working memory training, respectively. This study had a 100% attrition rate; therefore, only descriptive statistics were available. Past literature on the implications of improving working memory to reduce unhealthy habits is promising. If completion rates can be improved, this study deserves further investigation.