Neuropsychological Assessment in Real Time of the Implicit Cognition in the Prediction of Relapse of Patients With Substance Use Disorder

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating patients with substance use disorders, specifically alcohol or cocaine addiction, to understand psychological factors and cravings during treatment. This observational study uses repeated assessments over time to explore how real-time psychological measures relate to relapse risk. The study involves 130 participants from the Provincial Service for Drug Dependence and Addictions in Huelva, Spain, recruited using stratified random sampling to reflect gender and substance type. Participants undergo an initial baseline evaluation including psychological and neuropsychological tests lasting about 90 minutes, during which they are trained to use a mobile platform. This platform is used daily for 12 days to complete ecological momentary assessments (EMA) that collect data on substance use, mood, anxiety, triggering situations, and cognitive bias through alternating tests (Drug Stroop Task and WAT-DUD). Throughout the study, participants continue their regular treatment supervised by clinical professionals. Participants' involvement includes completing daily and temptation-triggered assessments via the mobile platform. Follow-up data on treatment adherence and relapse are collected at three and six months from medical records. Researchers monitor engagement through phone calls and messages designed to encourage participation. The main outcomes measured are differences in assessment scores between daily and temptation times, relationships between craving episodes and test scores, and the impact of substance type and gender. Data will be analyzed statistically to identify patterns related to relapse risk over an average of two years.

EMA for Predicting Treatment Outcomes in Patients With SUD