Mindfulness‐Based Relapse Prevention and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Reduce Heavy Drinking: A Double‐Blind Sham‐Controlled Randomized Trial

Abstract

Background: Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have independently shown benefits for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). Recent work suggests tDCS may enhance mindfulness. The combination of MBRP and tDCS may provide synergistic benefits and may target both behavioral and neurobiological dysfunctions in AUD. The goal of this double-blind sham-controlled randomized trial was to examine the efficacy of a rolling group MBRP treatment combined with tDCS among individuals interested in reducing their drinking.Methods: Individuals who were interested in reducing their alcohol use (n = 84; 40.5% female; mean age = 52.3; 98.9% with current AUD) were randomized to receive active (2.0 milliamps) or sham (0.0 milliamps) anodal tDCS (5 cm 9 3 cm electrode) of the right inferior frontal gyrus with the 5 cm 9 3 cm cathodal electrode applied to the left upper arm, combined with 8 weeks of outpatient MBRP rolling group treatment. Assessments were conducted at baseline, posttreatment, and 2 months following treatment. The primary outcome was drinks per drinking day, and secondary outcomes were percent heavy drinking days, self-reported craving, alcohol cue reactivity in an alcohol cue task, and response inhibition in a stop signal reaction time task.Results: Results indicated significant reductions in drinks per drinking day over time, B (SE) = À0.535 (0.16), p = 0.001, and a significant dose effect for number of groups attended, B (SE) = À0.259 (0.11), p = 0.01. There were also significant effects of time and dose for number of groups attended on secondary outcomes of percent heavy drinking days and alcohol cue reactivity. There were no effects of active versus sham tDCS on primary or secondary outcomes.Conclusions: Findings from the current study provide initial support for the effectiveness of rolling group MBRP as an outpatient treatment for drinking reduction. The current study did not find additive effects of this tDCS protocol in enhancing MBRP among individuals with drinking reduction goals.

Discrimination of atypical parkinsonisms with transcranial magnetic stimulation

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“…So far, the relevant tDCS training studies yielded mixed results. In a recent double-blind training study, patients with alcohol use disorder received anodal tDCS over rIFG during 8-weeks of meditation [51]. At baseline and post-intervention, no effects of tDCS vs. sham stimulation on inhibitory control (SSRT) were reported.…”

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Mindfulness-based programs for substance use disorders: a systematic review of manualized treatments

“… Small sample size with large attrition rates through the 24-week follow-up in both groups (MPRB - 75%; ST - 78.57%). Witkiewitz et al, 2019 [ 42 ] MBRP + Active tDCS: 8, 120-min sessions with the first 30-min consisting of tDCS. MBRP + sham tDCS: Standard MBRP + 8, 120-min sessions with the first 30-min consisting of tDCS.…”

“…Furthermore, the efficacy of MBRP with active and sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was compared among individuals interested in decreasing their alcohol use [42]. Witkiewitz and colleagues' results demonstrated a decrease in drinks per drinking day over time among the sample as a whole and a significant dose effect for the number of groups attended.…”