Treatment effectiveness of a mindfulness-based inpatient group psychotherapy in adolescent substance use disorder - study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundCurrent treatments for adolescents with substance use disorder (SUD) have had only limited success. In recent years, research has underlined the role of self-regulatory processes and impulsivity in the development and maintenance of SUD in adolescents. Mindfulness has gained much attention due to its capacity to influence self-regulatory processes, particularly in adult populations. Initial studies have shown the potential of mindfulness-based approaches in younger SUD patients. The aim of the present clinical trial is to evaluate the added treatment effect of a mindfulness-based group psychotherapy (“Mind it!”) for adolescents with SUD in comparison to the current standard treatment. Moreover, we seek to explore the feasibility of the intervention and possible mediators of treatment effects.Methods/designThere will be N = 340 participants aged between 13 and 19 years who are receiving child or adolescent psychiatric or psychotherapeutic inpatient or day treatment targeting their SUD and who have reported substance use 30 days before detoxification and do not show acute psychotic or suicidal symptoms at baseline. The study is a prospective randomized controlled multi-center trial in which patients are assessed: (1) after completing a prior detoxification phase (t0), (2) at 4 weeks (t1), (3) at 8 weeks (t2), and (4) at 6 months after t2 (t3). Participants in the intervention group will receive mindfulness-based group psychotherapy in addition to their existing treatment regime. The primary outcome is substance use in the past 30 days at follow-up based on the Timeline Followback self-report. Secondary outcomes include craving, severity of dependence, and abstinence motivation. Mindfulness, impulsivity, and emotion regulation will be analyzed as possible mediators of treatment effects.DiscussionThis trial is expected to provide evidence of the added effect of a novel, safe, and feasible treatment option for adolescents with SUD.Trial registrationGerman Register of Clinical Studies, DRKS00014041. Registered on 17 April 2018.

Achtsamkeit in der Suchtprävention bei Jugendlichen mit MBID

“…Daneben sollten Rekrutierungserfolge und -probleme, die Einsetzbarkeit der im Konsortium einheitlich angewandten Erhebungsinstrumente, die technische Anwendbarkeit digitaler Nachbefragung per App und die Wirksamkeit incentiver Strategien für die Bereitschaft zur Studienteilnahme/ Compliance evaluiert werden. Keines der über die verschiedenen IMAC-Mind-Projekte harmonisierten Erhebungsinstrumente (vgl.Arnaud et al, 2020;Baldus et al, 2018;Lenz et al, 2018;Moesgen, Ise, Dyba & Klein, 2019; Waedel et al, 2020)…”

Selbstmanagement und Achtsamkeit: Janusköpfige Therapieziele

“…B. Arnaud & Thomasius, 2018;Baldus et al, 2018;Cunitz et al, 2019), muss diese Aspekte verantwortungsvoll im Blick behalten.…”

Full awareness or mindfulness in the practice of current clinical psychology and psychiatry: Explanatory contributions

“…For over a decade, mindfulness-based interventions have been studied as potentially valid treatments for many addictive behaviors [47]. Currently, this includes when teenagers exhibit problematic consumption behaviors [48]. This does not contradict what has been presented in some modern hypotheses about the biological foundations of maladaptive metacognitions, which could indeed lead to those problematic consumptions [49].…”