Cocaine cues used in experimental research: A systematic review

Brobbin, Eileen, Cella, Matteo, Lowry, Natalie, Copello, Alex, Coulton, Simon, Di Pietro, Jerome, Drummond, Colin, Glautier, Steven, Kiyak, Ceyda, Phillips, Thomas, Stahl, Daniel, Starr, Shelley, Valmaggia, Lucia, Williams, Colin and Deluca, Paolo (2025) Cocaine cues used in experimental research: A systematic review. Brain Sciences, 15 (6). ISSN 2076-3425

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Abstract

Aims: Cue exposure therapy (CET) is a promising treatment approach for cocaine substance use disorder (SUD). CET specifically targets the psychological and physiological responses elicited by drug-related cues, aiming to reduce their motivational impact. To advance understanding of CET for cocaine treatment, this systematic review aims to categorise the range of cocaine cues used in research. Methods: A systematic review of the existing literature with searches conducted on PubMed and Web of Science bibliographic databases with no time constraints in August 2024 (PROSPERO: CRD42024554361). Three reviewers were independently involved in the screening, review and data extraction process, in line with PRISMA guidelines. Data extracted included participant demographics, study design, data on the cocaine cue task, and examples (if provided). Each study was appraised and received a quality score. The secondary outcome was to summarise examples for each category type identified. The data are presented as a narrative synthesis. Results: 3600 articles were identified and screened. 235 articles were included in the analysis. Cues identified included images, paraphernalia, drug-related words, cocaine smell, auditory stimuli presented via audiotapes, video recordings, scripts, and virtual reality environments, often combining multiple modalities. Included studies recruited cocaine-dependent individuals, recreational users, polydrug users, and non-cocaine-using controls. The sample sizes of the studies ranged from a single case study to a study including 1974 participants. Conclusions: This review found that studies employed a wide range of cue categories, but detailed examples were often lacking, limiting replication. The number and combination of cues varied: some studies used only cocaine-related images, while others included images, videos, physical items, and audiotapes. The level of immersion and personalisation also differed considerably. All studies used cocaine-specific cues, most commonly images or representations of cocaine substance, cocaine use or drug paraphernalia, drug preparation items, or conversations of cocaine use and its effects. The overall quality of the included studies was deemed good, with all adhering to standard research norms. While this review highlights the breath of cue types used in the literature, further research should focus on enhancing cue exposure techniques by incorporating more immersive and personalised stimuli, and by providing clearer documentation of cue characteristics to support replication and clinical translation.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Funding information: This project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) under its Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme (Grant Reference Number NIHR206721). PD, DS and CD were supported by the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London. PD, CD, TP, and SC were supported by the NIHR Mental Health Research Groups (MHRG) programme through the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Research at the University of Hull. CD was also supported by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London) at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	10 Jun 2025 16:30
Last Modified:	17 Jun 2025 00:31
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/99440
DOI:	10.3390/brainsci15060626

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