Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention Research Articles

Testing Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention with Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Among Adults in Outpatient Therapy: a Quasi-experimental Study.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the effectiveness of mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) with individuals receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in a naturalistic, open-ended outpatient group treatment setting.MethodsEighty participants (mean age 36.3) who had at least 90 consecutive days substance free self-selected into treatment (MBRP, n = 35) or comparison groups (treatment as usual, TAU, n = 45). Outcomes tracked included treatment retention and relapse, and self-reported craving, anxiety, depression, and mindfulness at baseline, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and 36 weeks post-recruitment. MBRP group participants attended biweekly 60-min sessions for 24 weeks. A linear mixed model analysis of variance determined the significance of the MBRP intervention on changes in craving, anxiety, depression, and mindfulness.ResultsNo significant differences in sex, education level, insurance status, relationship status, or employment status were detected at baseline between groups. The 36-week retention (74%, MBRP/MOUD; 71%, TAU/MOUD) and relapse rates (43%, MBRP/MOUD; 47%, TAU/MOUD) were similar for the groups. There were only four relapses on opioids. Significant reductions (p < .05) were observed in the MBRP/MOUD group for craving, anxiety, and depression in addition to significant increases in mindfulness compared to those in TAU/MOUD.ConclusionsAlthough state and federal resources are available to expand MOUD, no standard of behavioral therapy has been established as most complimentary to MOUD. The current study results suggest MBRP can be implemented as an outpatient therapy for individuals in MOUD.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention in Individuals with Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to understand the current state of the art about the effectiveness of mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) on individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), taking into account not only SUD variables (e.g., cravings, frequency of use) but also other relevant clinical variables (e.g., anxiety and depressive symptoms, quality of life). Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted to identify studies that investigate MBRP interventions on individuals with SUD. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were synthesized and assessed using systematic review methods. Results: Thirteen studies were included in the present review. The methodological quality of the included studies was moderately strong. Nine studies (69.2%) used the traditional 16 h MBRP program. Six studies (46.1%) chose to use a co-intervention treatment ranging from the treatment as usual (TAU) to cognitive behavioral therapy. All but one study indicated that their interventions produced positive effects on at least one addiction outcome measure. None of the interventions were evaluated across different settings or populations. Conclusions: Despite some heterogeneity regarding the type of MBRP program used, results support the effectiveness of these interventions in the SUD population, especially in reducing cravings, decreasing the frequency of use, and improving depressive symptoms.

The Role of Pretreatment Expectancy on Substance Use Outcomes in Women Mandated to Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention.

Background: More than one-third of justice-involved individuals meet the criteria for substance use disorder (SUD). Many studies show that treatment expectancy predicts longitudinal SUD outcomes; however, results are inconsistent, and the role of treatment expectancy on SUD outcomes for individuals mandated to a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) is unknown. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) has shown efficacy with justice-involved populations; however, enrollment in MBRP is typically voluntary. The current study assessed whether pretreatment expectancy predicted SUD- and affect-related outcomes in a sample of women (n = 54) mandated to MBRP as part of their residential SUD programming. Method: The authors employed a quasiexperimental design and administered measures at pre-, mid-, and postcourse. Results: Following mandatory participation in MBRP, significant reductions in craving and substance use were observed. However, contrary to hypotheses, higher pretreatment expectancy predicted greater substance dependence at postcourse. Conclusions: Positive treatment expectancy within the context of an MBI was not related to favorable posttreatment outcomes; in fact, it was related to higher postcourse substance dependence. This suggests that MBIs may be suitable for mandated individuals who may not have voluntarily chosen to participate in such an intervention, and thus may have lower expectancy for the treatment. This finding needs to be replicated in a larger sample to warrant a firmer conclusion.

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for cannabis regular users: Preliminary outcomes of a randomized clinical trial

Mindfulness-based approaches have shown their effectiveness in caring for patients with substance use disorders (SUD). Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) integrates practices from mindfulness-based interventions and cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention (RP) approaches. This article presents the preliminary results of a study that measures the effectiveness of an MBRP protocol for volunteer cannabis users willing to reduce or stop their consumptions. Twenty cannabis users were randomly assigned to either receive an eight-week outpatient MBRP program or treatment as usual (TAU). Cannabis use was assessed weekly through the timeline follow back (TLFB). Eighty percent of individuals received MBRP treatment and 60% of individuals received TAU completed treatment. Preliminary results did not find significant difference at the end of treatment (week 8) regarding the number of joints smoked. Despite the absence of any significant difference between the two groups, the contribution of mindfulness in the caring of SUD seems encouraging and promising. Many MBRP group participants reported qualitative changes in the way they consumed. This study will be continued in order to evaluate the effectiveness of MBRP on a larger number of subjects.

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for the Treatment of Gambling Disorder among U.S. Military Veterans: Case Series and Feasibility

Gambling disorder (GD) occurs at higher rates in U.S. veterans than civilians. The present case series describes the application of a manualized mindfulness treatment used with U.S. veterans seeking outpatient treatment for GD at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital. Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) was developed to treat substance use disorders, but its core principles can be readily applied to the treatment of behavioral addictions. However, there has been little empirical evidence demonstrating its successful application for GD, and none demonstrating its successful implementation with U.S. veterans. Three veterans receiving treatment for GD participated in a 9-session adapted MBRP protocol. Following completion of treatment, the veterans reported less frequent engagement in their gambling behavior, fewer cravings, and less intense craving. The veterans also experienced increased self-efficacy in managing urges, less impulsivity and emotion dysregulation, and improved functioning. Preliminary results provide support for a larger treatment trial for veterans seeking treatment for GD.

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention on the Chronic use of Hypnotics in Treatment-Seeking Women with Insomnia: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Hypnotics are one of the most frequently prescribed drugs worldwide, especially for women, and their chronic use may lead to tolerance, dosage escalation, dependence, withdrawal syndrome, and cognitive impairments, representing a significant public health problem. Consistent evidence from previous studies shows benefits of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for substance use disorders (SUD) and insomnia. However, to date, there is a lack of research about effects of MBIs on reduction/cessation of chronic hypnotic use among women with insomnia. The present randomized trial evaluated the efficacy of the 8-week group-delivered mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) program in an intervention group (IG, n = 34) compared with weekly phone monitoring only in the control group (CG, n = 36) in reducing hypnotic use and insomnia severity over a 6-month follow-up period. There were significant differences between groups at baseline regarding hypnotic use but not insomnia. Group effects on hypnotic use were found immediately after the intervention (bT1 = 2.01, p < 0.001) and at the 2-month follow-up (bT2 = 2.21, p < 0.001), favoring the IG. The IG also had a greater reduction from baseline levels than the control group in insomnia severity at the 4-month (bT3 = 0.21, p = 0.045) and 6-month (bT4 = 0.32, p = 0.002) follow-ups. The findings provide preliminary evidence of benefits of MBRP for reducing insomnia severity and potentially chronic hypnotic use. However, IG effects on chronic hypnotic use may have resulted from IG and control group differences in chronic hypnotic use at baseline. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02127411.

Efficacy of mindfulness-based relapse prevention in veterans with substance use disorders: Design and methodology of a randomized clinical trial

Mindfulness based interventions have been shown to be efficacious in treating depression, anxiety, pain and substance use disorders (SUDs). Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) is an intervention that integrates cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention and mindfulness meditation practices, in an 8-week, manualized group intervention designed to treat SUDs by helping patients regulate negative emotional states and reactive behavior. This paper describes the rationale, study design and methodology of a two-site, randomized controlled trial comparing MBRP to 12-Step Facilitation (TSF) in military Veterans following completion of intensive outpatient treatment for SUDs. The 8 weeks of 90-min, group-based MBRP or TSF sessions are followed by 3-, 6- and 10-month follow-up period with assessments of alcohol/drug use, quality of life, depression, anxiety, mindfulness and other functional outcomes, such as employment. The primary hypothesis is that MBRP will be significantly better than TSF in promoting recovery and prevention of relapse to substance use in a military Veteran population. The secondary hypothesis is that MBRP will lead to greater improvements in quality of life, depression/anxiety, and functional outcomes, such as employment. This study is designed to provide information about the use of group-based MBRP as a relapse prevention strategy for military Veterans who have completed an intensive SUD clinical treatment program.Clinical Trial Identifier: NCT02326363

Effect Of Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention Therapy on Uncontrolled Aggression Among Individual with Amphetamine use Disorder: a Systematic Review

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) is an approach that incorporates cognitive behavioral relapse prevention with mindfulness practice. The present research indicates that MBRP can effectively minimize craving in people with substance use disorder (SUD). The purpose of this review was to examine the efficacy Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) strategies to mitigate uncontrolled aggression in individuals with amphetamine use disorder. In the context of a systematic review, this paper proposes a research project to investigate the effect of mindfulness based relapse prevention therapy on uncontrolled aggression among individual with amphetamine use disorder. Selection of studies, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were carried out. PRISMA protocol was applied to ensure a standardized review strategy. No ethical approval was required. Review indicated that mindfulness training intervention as MBRP was successful for individuals with amphetamine use disorder. This preventive strategy has helped them improve their ability to deal with temptation and high-risk behaviors, such as uncontrolled aggression&#x0D;

A pilot study of mindfulness-based relapse prevention for compulsive sexual behaviour disorder.

Background and aims Compulsive sexual behaviour disorder (CSBD) is a medical condition that can impair social and occupational functioning and lead to severe distress. To date, treatment effectiveness studies of CSBD are under-developed; typically, treatment for CSBD is based on guidelines for substance or other behavioural addictions. Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) is an evidence-based treatment for substance addiction aimed at, among other things, reducing craving and negative affect—i.e. processes that are implicated in the maintenance of problematic sexual behaviours. However, to our knowledge no prior research has been published evaluating mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) in the treatment of CSBD, except two clinical case reports. Therefore, the aim of the current pilot study was to examine whether MBRP can lead to clinical improvement in CSBD.MethodsParticipants were 13 adult males with a diagnosis of CSBD. Before and after the eight-week MBRP intervention, participants completed a booklet of questionnaires including measurements of porn viewing, masturbation and emotional distress.ResultsAs expected, we found that after MBRP participants spent significantly less time engaging in problematic pornography use and exhibited a decrease in anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms.Discussion and ConclusionsThe findings indicate that MBRP could be beneficial for CSBD individuals. Further clinical effectiveness studies with bigger sample sizes, delayed post-training measurements and randomised control trial design are warranted. In conclusion, MBRP leads to a decrease in time spent watching porn and a decrease in emotional distress in CSBD patients.

Development of a mindfulness-based treatment for smoking cessation and the modification of alcohol use: A protocol for a randomized controlled trial and pilot study findings

The combined use of cigarettes and alcohol is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Yet, efficacious interventions that address both behaviors concurrently are lacking. Smoking cessation and alcohol modification not only garner health benefits, but there is also value in addressing alcohol use in the context of smoking cessation to reduce the risk for smoking relapse. In this paper we describe the development of mindfulness-based relapse prevention for smoking cessation and alcohol modification (MBRP-SA) and pilot study findings (Phase 1). Next, details regarding the methods and design of an ongoing, randomized controlled trial, Project RISE (Phase 2), are described. MBRP-SA is a group-based intervention that consists of eight weekly treatment sessions. Results from the Phase 1 pilot study (N = 21 enrolled) indicated that participants planned to use the skills learned in their everyday activities and to address their smoking and alcohol goals. Based on the progression of Phase 1 cohorts, modifications were made to the inclusion/exclusion criteria and recruitment methods that will be implemented in Phase 2. Phase 2 will assess the feasibility and acceptability of MBRP-SA, delivered via live online groups, as a primary treatment option for smoking cessation and alcohol use modification.

A Qualitative Study of Use of Mindfulness to Reduce Long-Term Use of Habit-Forming Prescription Drugs.

Objective: The aim of this study was to study how participants used a mindfulness-based program—Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention to reduce use of habit-forming prescription drugs after long-term use. We explored participants' descriptions of their post-intervention strategies for controlling medication intake.Method: Eighteen participants provided semi-structured qualitative interviews shortly after completion of the program and 13 participants were also interviewed 1 year after completion. Participants were asked about the conditions that originally led to use of medication, how they had attempted prior to the course to cope with problems associated with these conditions and their prescription drug-use, and whether and how their coping strategies had changed after participation in the program. Thematic analysis was performed within the framework of a realist epistemology, with an emphasis on researcher reflexivity.Results: The following themes were identified in the material: Increased present-moment sensory awareness, Observing without controlling, Self-acceptance, Making conscious choices, Non-judgmental self-guidance, Sense of control, and Challenges of learning and using mindfulness.Although these findings are closely related to the specific needs of our sample—mainly coping with tapering use of prescription drugs—they are largely in line with existing research on mindfulness interventions. An exception is the theme “Non-judgmental self-guidance,” which encompasses change in individuals' inner dialogue and practical self-care.Conclusions: Analyses suggested that mindfulness might increase individuals' control over medication intake by shifting individuals' attention toward present-moment sensory awareness of concrete stimuli, thereby facilitating other kinds of control, such as non-judgmental inner self-guidance and more adaptive ways of reducing distress. We suggest that it is the moment-to-moment sensory awareness and non-controlling observation of distress, together with inner self-guidance, that differentiates mindful control from dysfunctional attempts at direct, top down control of medication-use.

Ketamine-facilitated behavioral treatment for cannabis use disorder: A proof of concept study

ABSTRACT Background Sub-anesthetic ketamine infusions may benefit a range of psychiatric conditions, including alcohol and cocaine use disorders. Currently, there are no effective pharmacological treatments for cannabis use disorder. Objectives The objective of this uncontrolled proof of concept trial was to test the feasibility, tolerability, and potential therapeutic effects of integrating ketamine infusions with a behavioral platform of motivational enhancement therapy and mindfulness-based relapse prevention in treating cannabis use disorder (CUD). Methods Eight cannabis-dependent individuals (four female, four male) receiving motivational enhancement therapy and mindfulness-based relapse prevention behavioral treatments completed this single-blind outpatient 6-week study. Participants received either one or two infusions of ketamine (0.71 mg/kg [infusion 1]; 1.41 mg/kg [infusion 2] for non-responders) during the study. Participants self-reported cannabis use (Timeline Follow-Back) and underwent an assessment of confidence in abstaining from using cannabis (Drug-Taking Confidence Questionnaire) at predetermined time points throughout the study. Results Ketamine infusions were well-tolerated and there were no adverse events. Frequency of cannabis use decreased significantly from baseline (B = 5.1, s.e = 0.7) to the week following the first infusion (B = 0.8, s.e = 0.412), and remained reduced at the end of the study (B = 0.5, s.e = 0.3). Participants’ confidence in their ability to abstain from cannabis in potentially triggering situations increased significantly from baseline to the end of study. Conclusions These findings suggest that combining ketamine with behavioral therapy is feasible,tolerable, and potentially helpful, in treating cannabis-dependent individuals.

Adapting a Behavioral Intervention for Alcohol Use and HIV Medication Adherence for Lay Counselor Delivery in Cape Town, South Africa: A Case Series

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and problematic alcohol use are two ongoing and interconnected epidemics in South Africa, with untreated problematic alcohol use associated with poorer HIV treatment outcomes and disease progression. A lack of trained mental health providers is a primary barrier to increasing access to evidence-based treatment in this setting. To address this gap, we integrated evidence-based intervention components for problematic alcohol use and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, adapted for lay provider delivery in an HIV primary care setting in Cape Town, South Africa. The intervention, locally termed “Khanya” in isiXhosa, which means glow, direction, or light, comprises Life Steps adherence counseling, motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, and relapse prevention, including mindfulness-based relapse prevention components. In this case series, we present a detailed description of the intervention and provide three clinical cases of individuals who received the Khanya intervention to showcase necessary clinical adaptations and the supervision needed for optimal treatment delivery, flexibility in intervention delivery, and overall successes and challenges. We present descriptive data on alcohol use and ART adherence outcomes for the cases to supplement the narrative discussion. Successes of intervention delivery included participant uptake of mindfulness skills, reductions in alcohol use despite varying levels of motivation, and interventionist mastery over various clinical skills. Challenges included delivering the intervention within the allotted time and the strong influence of substance-using social networks. Overall, a pragmatic approach to intervention delivery was necessary, as was ongoing support for the interventionist to promote fidelity to both treatment components and therapeutic skills.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03529409. Trial registered on May 18, 2018.

Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based relapse prevention for opioid use disorders

The opioid misuse epidemic has reached a crisis level in the United States. Though mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) has been shown as effective in treating substance use disorders, there is limited research on its application to opioid use disorders specifically, and there is a need to understand the underlying mechanisms. This paper outlines a protocol for a randomized controlled trial of MBRP for opioid use disorders. MBRP is a group aftercare program that integrates mindfulness skills training with cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention strategies. We will recruit 240 participants who have completed opioid use disorder treatment, and randomize them to an 8-week MBRP group intervention or treatment as usual (TAU) control group. The TAU control group will complete the intervention after 8 weeks. Assessments will take place at baseline, 8 weeks, and 16 weeks. The primary outcome is frequency of opioid use. The secondary outcomes include craving and withdrawal symptoms, time to first opioid use, adherence to medication-assisted treatment plans, perceived stress, quality of life, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and chronic pain. We will also examine the following potential moderators and correlates of intervention outcomes: comorbid diagnoses, life events history, and MBRP intervention adherence. In addition, we will examine the following mediators of intervention outcome: mindfulness skills, emotion regulation skills, executive functioning skills, savoring, and positive and negative affect. This study will contribute to the evidence base regarding MBRP's efficacy in reducing opioid use, as well as contribute to the understanding of the causal mechanisms and factors that modify treatment outcome for MBRP for substance use disorders.

Evaluating substance use treatment efficacy for younger and older adults

The purpose of this study was to examine the differential efficacy of aftercare substance use treatments for younger (below 40, n = 107) versus older (40+, n = 114) adults (N = 221), using data from a randomized controlled trial in a community-based substance abuse treatment center. The younger adult sample had a mean age of 28.9 while the older adult sample had a mean age of 48.1. Primary outcomes were rates of abstinence and percent use days at 1-year follow-up. Outcomes were compared between standard cognitive behavioral relapse prevention (RP), Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), and 12-step-based treatment as usual (TAU). Results showed significant differences by treatment in the older, but not in younger, subsample of participants. Specifically, the older participants in MBRP had significantly higher abstinence rates compared with those in TAU. Further, the older individuals in MBRP had a significantly lower percent of days on which they used compared with those in TAU and RP. Overall, findings suggest that age group may impact aftercare treatment substance use outcomes.

Approach coping and substance use outcomes following mindfulness-based relapse prevention among individuals with negative affect symptomatology.

Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) for substance use disorders (SUDs) appears to be particularly effective among individuals with high levels of co-occurring affective symptoms. We sought to understand whether changes in approach and avoidance coping may explain the effects of MBRP among this subpopulation. The sample included 286 individuals with SUDs randomized to MBRP, relapse prevention (RP), or treatment-as-usual (TAU) as an aftercare treatment. We conducted conditional indirect effect models with treatment condition as the predictor, baseline affective symptoms as the moderator, changes in approach and avoidance coping over time from baseline through 6-months post-treatment as mediators, and substance use and substance-related problems at 12-months post-treatment as the outcome. Affective symptomatology at baseline was modeled as a latent factor indicated by depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. Change in approach and avoidance coping was modeled using latent growth curve analyses. We found significant conditional indirect effects of MBRP, such that the interaction of MBRP vs. TAU by affective symptoms predicted increases in approach coping, which in turn predicted fewer heavy drinking days and substance-related problems at month 12. Follow-up analyses showed that increases in approach coping mediated the therapeutic effect of MBRP on these outcomes among those with high, but not low or moderate, affective symptoms. We did not find indirect or conditional indirect effects when comparing RP to TAU, or when avoidance coping was the mediator. The pronounced therapeutic effects of MBRP among individuals with SUD and relatively higher negative affective symptoms may be due to increases in approach coping over time.

Using mind control to modify cue-reactivity in AUD: the impact of mindfulness-based relapse prevention on real-time fMRI neurofeedback to modify cue-reactivity in alcohol use disorder: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAlcohol Use Disorder is a severe mental disorder affecting the individuals concerned, their family and friends and society as a whole. Despite its high prevalence, novel treatment options remain rather limited. Two innovative interventions used for treating severe disorders are the use of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback that targets brain regions related to the disorder, and mindfulness-based treatments. In the context of the TRR SFB 265 C04 “Mindfulness-based relapse prevention as an addition to rtfMRI NFB intervention for patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (MiND)” study, both interventions will be combined to a state-of-the art intervention that will use mindfulness-based relapse prevention to improve the efficacy of a real-time neurofeedback intervention targeting the ventral striatum, which is a brain region centrally involved in cue-reactivity to alcohol-related stimuli.Methods/designAfter inclusion, N = 88 patients will be randomly assigned to one of four groups. Two of those groups will receive mindfulness-based relapse prevention. All groups will receive two fMRI sessions and three real-time neurofeedback sessions in a double-blind manner and will regulate either the ventral striatum or the auditory cortex as a control region. Two groups will additionally receive five sessions of mindfulness-based relapse prevention prior to the neurofeedback intervention. After the last fMRI session, the participants will be followed-up monthly for a period of 3 months for an assessment of the relapse rate and clinical effects of the intervention.DiscussionThe results of this study will give further insights into the efficacy of real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback interventions for the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder. Additionally, the study will provide further insight on neurobiological changes in the brain caused by the neurofeedback intervention as well as by the mindfulness-based relapse prevention. The outcome might be useful to develop new treatment approaches targeting mechanisms of Alcohol Use Disorder with the goal to reduce relapse rates after discharge from the hospital.Trial registrationThis trial is pre-registered at clinicaltrials.gov (trial identifier: NCT04366505; WHO Universal Trial Number (UTN): U1111–1250-2964). Registered 30 March 2020, published 29 April 2020.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention Program as an Adjunct to the Standard Treatment for Smoking: A Pragmatic Design Pilot Study.

Posttreatment relapse is a major roadblock to stemming the global epidemic of tobacco-related illness. This article presents results from a pilot trial evaluating the feasibility and initial efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) as an adjunct to standard relapse prevention treatment (ST) for smoking cessation. Smokers (n = 86) in the maintenance phase of treatment were randomized to receive either ST plus MBRP (MBRP) (n = 44) or ST alone (ST) (n = 42). Data were collected at baseline and at 4-, 12-, and 24-week follow-up points. We evaluated the feasibility of the protocol with frequency analysis, and the efficacy with both intention to treat and complete case analyses of the effects of MBRP on abstinence. Secondary outcomes included mindfulness, craving, depression, anxiety, and positive/negative affect. High adherence suggested MBRP is acceptable and feasible. Participants in the MBRP group reported increases in mindfulness (M = -7.833, p = .016), and reductions in craving (M = 17.583, p = .01) compared with the ST group. Intention to treat analysis found that, compared with MBRP (36.4%), ST (57.1%) showed trend-level superiority in abstinence at Week 4 (Prevalence Ratio = 0.63, p = .06); however at Week 24, the ST group (14.3%) demonstrated a twofold greater decrease in abstinence, compared with the MBRP group (20.1%) (Prevalence Ratio = 2.25, p = .08). Therefore, the MBRP group maintained a higher abstinence rate for longer. Reported effects were greater in the complete case analysis. MBRP holds promise for preventing relapse after aided tobacco quit attempts. Findings suggest that MBRP is acceptable, feasible, and valued by participants. At 24-week follow-up, there was a large effect size and a statistical trend toward fewer MBRP patients relapsing compared with ST patients. MBRP conferred ancillary benefits including reductions in craving and increases in levels of mindfulness. MBRP for tobacco cessation is highly promising and merits further research. clinicaltrials.gov. NCT02327104.

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Opioid Use Disorders

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Opioid Use Disorders

AJP Editors Select Best of Journal’s 2019 Studies

<i>AJP</i> Editors Select Best of Journal’s 2019 Studies