The effect of a mindfulness-based decentering strategy on chocolate craving

Abstract

According to the elaborated-intrusion theory of desire, strategies that load visual working memory will reduce cravings. According to the grounded cognition theory of desire, cravings will be reduced with mindfulness-based decentering strategies that encourage individuals to see their thoughts as thoughts. However, decentering strategies also tend to load visual working memory making it difficult to test the latter prediction. This study addressed this issue by matching visualization across decentering and guided imagery tasks. Male and female participants (n = 101) underwent a chocolate craving induction before listening to a 4-min audio recording that guided them to (a) decenter from their thoughts and feelings, (b) engage in visualization, or (c) let their mind wander. Participants reported on chocolate craving before and after the craving induction and following the 4-min recording. They also provided retrospective reports of craving during the recording, reported on the extent to which they had adhered to the audio instructions and briefly indicated what they had been thinking about during the recording. Results showed a significant reduction in cravings to baseline following the recording across all three conditions (p < .001), but no significant differences between conditions or in the retrospective reports of craving. There was some evidence to suggest that participants in the mind wandering condition had been thinking about alternate goals, which may have inhibited thoughts about chocolate and been just as effective at reducing craving as the imagery and decentering strategies. Exploratory analyses showed a trend toward decentering being more effective than imagery where participants reported higher task adherence throughout the 4 min (p = .067). This raises the possibility that decentering effects may be improved with better strategy adherence, which might be achieved through practice or increased motivation.

Mindful eating: what we know so far

“…According to this theory, decentering strategies will reduce the believability of these mental simulations and, in doing so, lessen the extent to which they elicit craving and desire. Several studies support this prediction (Keesman et al, 2020; Schumacher et al, 2018; Schnepper et al, 2019; Tapper, 2018; Wilson et al, 2021, though see also Hinojosa‐Aguayo & González, 2022; Hulbert‐Williams et al, 2019; Mantzios et al, 2020; Masih et al, 2020; Tapper & Turner, 2018). As such, decentering strategies may be helpful for craving management even in the absence of additional mindfulness training.…”

Cognitive Defusion as Strategy to Reduce the Intensity of Craving Episodes and Improve Eating Behavior

“…Cognitive defusion has been considered a core process of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, where the objective is not to modify the content of thoughts but rather the way people react to them by helping individuals to separate themselves from their thoughts and emotions (Moffitt et al, 2012; for a review of the effects of mindfulness on craving and underlying mechanisms, see Tapper, 2018). In decentering, individuals are instructed to see their thoughts and feelings as transient events that are not part of themselves and that may not be a truthful reflection of reality (Tapper & Turner, 2018). In doing so, events become less believable and, as a consequence, they have a reduced capacity to trigger desire.…”

Targeting automatic processes to reduce unhealthy behaviours: a process framework

“…In contrast, acceptance provides limited effects as a skill to cope with cravings (Tapper, 2017(Tapper, , 2018. To deal with cravings (i.e., food) and resultant health behaviours disidentification (i.e., decentring) proves to be a promising strategy (Keesman et al, 2017;Papies et al, 2016;Tapper & Turner, 2018). While reason-based paradigms may be a 'losing a battle with urges', mindfulness-based strategies may be paramount to dealing with reward-based learning to change addictive health behaviours (Brewer, 2019).…”