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document
Use of a clay modeling task to reduce chocolate craving . Elaborated Intrusion theory ( EI theory ; Kavanagh , Andrade , & May , 2005 ) posits two main cognitive components in craving : associative processes that lead to intrusive thoughts about the craved substance or activity , and elaborative processes supporting mental imagery of the substance or activity . We used a novel visuospatial task to test the hypothesis that visual imagery plays a key role in craving . Experiment 1 showed that spending 10 min constructing shapes from modeling clay ( plasticine ) reduced participants ' craving for chocolate compared with spending 10 min 'letting your mind wander ' . Increasing the load on verbal working memory using a mental arithmetic task ( counting backwards by threes ) did not reduce craving further . Experiment 2 compared effects on craving of a simpler verbal task ( counting by ones ) and clay modeling . Clay modeling reduced overall craving strength and strength of craving imagery , and reduced the frequency of thoughts about chocolate . The results are consistent with EI theory , showing that craving is reduced by loading the visuospatial sketchpad of working memory but not by loading the phonological loop . Clay modeling might be a useful self-help tool to help manage craving for chocolate , snacks and other foods .
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Intervention_Physical
clay modeling task
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Intervention_Educational
novel visuospatial task
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Intervention_Physical
constructing shapes from modeling clay ( plasticine )
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Intervention_Educational
'letting your mind wander '
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Intervention_Educational
simpler verbal task ( counting by ones )
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Intervention_Physical
clay modeling
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Intervention_Physical
Clay modeling
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Intervention_Physical
Clay modeling
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Outcome_Mental
chocolate craving
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Outcome_Mental
craving
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Outcome_Mental
craving
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Outcome_Mental
craving for chocolate
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Outcome_Mental
craving
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Outcome_Mental
craving
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Outcome_Mental
overall craving strength
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Outcome_Mental
strength of craving imagery
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Outcome_Mental
frequency of thoughts about chocolate
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Outcome_Mental
craving
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Outcome_Mental
craving
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Participant_Condition
chocolate craving
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Participant_Condition
craving for chocolate
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Participant_Condition
craving for chocolate , snacks and other foods