A smartphone app-based mindfulness intervention to enhance recovery from substance use disorders: Protocol for a pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundPoor long-term recovery outcomes after treatment (e.g., readmission to inpatient treatment) are common among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). In-person mindfulness-based treatments (MBTs) are efficacious for SUDs and may improve recovery outcomes. However, existing MBTs for SUD have limited public health reach, and thus scalable delivery methods are needed. A digitally-delivered MBT for SUDs may hold promise. MethodsWe recently developed Mindful Journey, a smartphone app-based adjunctive MBT for improving long-term recovery outcomes. In this paper, we present details on the app and describe the protocol for a single-site pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial of Mindful Journey. In this trial, individuals (n = 34) in an early phase of outpatient treatment for SUDs will be randomized to either treatment-as-usual (TAU) plus Mindful Journey, or TAU only. The trial will focus on testing the feasibility (e.g., engagement) and acceptability of the app (e.g., perceived usability and helpfulness for recovery), as well as feasibility of study procedures (e.g., assessment completion). The trial will incorporate ecological momentary assessment before and after treatment to assess mechanisms in real-time, including mindfulness, craving, difficulties with negative emotion regulation, and savoring. To examine the sensitivity to change of outcomes (substance use, substance-related problems, and psychological distress) and mechanism variables (noted above), we will test within-treatment-condition changes over time. DiscussionThe proposed pilot trial will provide important preliminary data on whether Mindful Journey is feasible and acceptable among individuals with SUDs. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05109507.