Imaginal retraining is a variant of approach bias modification and transfers the method into one’s own mind. As the technique contains multiple elements, this pilot study aimed to dismantle which of its components is most efficient in reducing craving for high-calorie food. A total of 113 women were randomly allocated to one out of six conditions containing a short intervention to mentally manipulate a picture displaying high-calorie foods. Four of the interventions involved different combinations of elements of the imaginal retraining technique, while the remaining two conditions comprised thought suppression or merely observing a picture. Participants rated their level of craving, as well as three pictures containing healthy and unhealthy foods regarding their pleasantness before and after the interventions took place. Within-group changes were assessed with paired t-tests (in case of non-normal data Wilcoxon paired t-tests) and between-group differences with one-way ANOVAs (non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis tests). A trend level reduction in craving was found in the imaginal retraining condition with and without a movement. A post hoc analysis of both conditions joint together showed a statistically significant reduction in craving. In addition, positive picture appraisal for unhealthy foods was significantly reduced in both imaginal retraining conditions (with and without movement) with medium to large effect sizes. This study demonstrated that imaginal retraining with an arm movement can reduce craving and picture appraisal for high-calorie foods significantly in a one-time application. It is a promising technique to reduce appraisal for unhealthy high-calorie foods. Future studies should repeat the experiment in situations of high craving and allow for a personalized selection of stimuli.

想象再训练是方法偏差修正的一种变体，并将方法转移到自己的头脑中。由于该技术包含多种元素，这项试点研究旨在消除其哪些成分最有效地减少对高热量食物的渴望。共有 113 名女性被随机分配到六分之一的条件中，这些条件包含对显示高热量食物的图片进行短暂干预的心理操纵。其中四个干预涉及想象再训练技术元素的不同组合，而其余两个条件包括思想抑制或仅观察图片。参与者评估他们的渴望程度，以及三张包含健康和不健康食物的图片，说明他们在干预前后的愉悦度。t -tests（在非正态数据的情况下 Wilcoxon 配对t-tests) 和单向方差分析的组间差异（非参数 Kruskal-Wallis 检验）。在有和没有运动的想象再训练条件下发现渴望的趋势水平降低。对这两种情况联合进行的事后分析表明，渴望在统计上显着减少。此外，在具有中到大效应大小的两种想象再训练条件下（有和没有运动），对不健康食品的正面评价显着降低。这项研究表明，在一次性应用中，通过手臂运动进行想象再训练可以显着减少对高热量食物的渴望和图片评估。这是一种很有前途的技术，可以减少对不健康的高热量食物的评价。