Evaluating Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention Compared to Unguided Meditative Relaxation for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating two psycho-physical interventions for people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder AUD to reduce heavy drinking days and prevent relapse. The study compares Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention MBRP, a structured program involving mindfulness practice, with an unguided meditative relaxation program. This research addresses the need for effective therapies in AUD, as only a small percentage of patients receive approved drugs, and some patients are resistant to cognitive behavioral therapies. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the MBRP group or a relaxationmeditation control group. MBRP involves seven sessions lasting 60 to 120 minutes each, covering topics such as triggers, relapse prevention, and mindfulness in daily life, including meditation exercises and discussions on at-home practice. The relaxation group attends seven sessions of unguided relaxation with nature sounds, accommodating up to 12 participants per group. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored for changes in heavy drinking days, alcohol consumption, craving frequency and strength, anxiety, depression, quality of life, emotion regulation, impulsivity, coping mechanisms, and cognitive impairment over 3, 6, and 12 months. Researchers will track the number of meditation sessions and assess mental health and behavioral changes. The primary outcome is the reduction in heavy drinking days six months after inclusion, with continued evaluations up to one year.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Two Psycho-physical Interventions: Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) and Unguided Meditative Relaxation in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder