Minds and Mentors Program (MiMP)- R61

University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa21 enrolled

Overview

The proposed research effort will: The purpose of this study is as follows: 1. Test the feasibility and acceptability of a twelve- week mindfulness based relapse prevention protocol in combination with peer mentoring in individuals with opioid use disorder who are on medication assisted treatment. 2. Determine whether participation in a combination of mindfulness based relapse prevention and peer mentoring in comparison with an attentional control group: a) improves adherence to MAT b) decreases relapse and cravings c) improves psychosocial outcomes such as depression, anxiety, stress and social support

Although medication assisted therapy (MAT) for opioid use disorders (OUD) is safe and effective and is currently considered the gold standard for treating OUD, adherence to MAT regimens remains a challenge. The goal of the proposed study is to determine the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention that also utilizes peer mentors in addition to professional substance abuse therapists (the Minds and Mentors program \[MiMP\]) in improving adherence to MAT for OUD and reducing relapse rates in a sample of individuals with OUD who are also on MAT versus a twelve-step facilitation (TSF) program. The MiMP is a twelve-week intervention that uses group therapy and meets once a week for about two hours for eight weeks with a professional substance abuse therapist; after the completion of eight therapist led sessions, participants will attend four weeks of group therapy sessions conducted by a peer mentor. The peer mentor will also attend the initial eight sessions with the therapist to establish rapport with participants. The control group will attend twelve weeks of a standard twelve-step facilitation program. This study will utilize an individually randomized group treatment design with ten participants in both the intervention and control groups. Data collection will occur at baseline, end of treatment, and at 3, 6, and 12- month follow-up.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Interventions

Mindfulness based relapse prevention and peer mentoringBEHAVIORAL

Importantly, the treatment will utilize a group format. Group process can serve as a vital agent in breaking down client denial about drug abuse problems. Groups have also been shown to be suitable for treating problems commonly associated with substance abuse, including depression, isolation, and shame. Additionally, groups intrinsically have many rewarding benefits, including reducing isolation and enabling members to witness the recovery of others. The eight-week group therapy intervention is co-led by a licensed counselor and a peer mentor for eight weeks, then followed by group sessions led by peer mentors for an additional four weeks.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 19 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * At least 19 years old. * Opioid Use disorder diagnosis based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V) criteria in the past 30 days * Currently receiving MAT for OUD (e.g. methadone, naloxone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine) from an established provider * Are within maintenance phase of MAT (not actively detoxing) * May meet criteria for a mood, anxiety, or other psychiatric disorder based on the DSM-V criteria. Participants on maintenance medications for a mood or anxiety disorder must be stabilized on medications for at least 2 weeks before therapy initiation * Capable of reading and understanding English * Able to provide written informed consent (i.e. no surrogate) * Willing to commit to 8 group therapy sessions, baseline, and follow-up assessments for 12-months after the end of treatment (14- month total) Exclusion Criteria: * Significant cognitive impairment * Women who are pregnant * Actively suicidal or homicidal * Active psychosis and/ or * Unstable medical conditions that contraindicate proposed treatment Subject exit criteria: * Increases in alcohol or drug use leading to the need for a more intensive level of care (i.e., medical detoxification, inpatient) * Newly developed active suicidal or homicidal ideation * Inability to manage psychiatric symptoms within the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the study (i.e., need for the initiation of maintenance psychotropic medications; development of psychosis). If it is determined, based on clinical criteria, that a participant needs to be started on maintenance medications for anxiety, mood or psychotic symptoms during the study, they will be discontinued from the treatment trial * Inability to return for therapy sessions due to incarceration or hospitalization lasting longer than four weeks.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Number of Days Adherence to Medication Assisted Treatment

The primary outcome variable is adherence to medication-assisted therapy (MAT), quantified as the number of days MAT was received as indicated during the last 4 weeks of the intervention period. We expect that this can be treated as a continuous variable in regression models.

Time frame: Last 4 weeks of the intervention period

Secondary Outcomes

Feasibility of Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention as Measured by Retention Rate

Retention rate (the number of participants completing T4 divided by the number who were randomized for each treatment arm)

Time frame: 12 months

Acceptability and Adherence to Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention as Measured by the Treatment Acceptability/Adherence (TAAS) Scale

Scores on the TAAS are scored on a scale of 1-7. For ease of interpretation by our participants and for data entry purposes, we asked participants to rate the experience on a scale of 1-10. The composite sum score was used for each person. Therefore, scores ranged from 10 to 100. Higher numbers mean more treatment acceptability and adherence

Time frame: 3 months - at the end of the 12 week intervention

Satisfaction With the Intervention Program

Satisfaction with the intervention program will be assessed with the 8-item Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8). The total score will be computed by adding the 8 items for a composite score. The range for composite scores is from 8-32. Higher numbers mean more satisfied the participant is with the program.

Time frame: 3 months - at the end of the 12 week intervention

Acceptability of the Intervention Programs

Exit interviews were conducted with all participants to determine whether participants rated the intervention as acceptable. The number who rated each intervention as acceptable is reported.

Time frame: 3 months

Relapse Rate (Number of Participants With Relapse) as Determined by Urine Drug Screen

Relapse will be measured during the last 4 weeks of the intervention period as determined by Urine Drug Screen (UDS). Participants were only considered relapsed if they had opiates (outside prescribed MOUD) or any other illicit substance detected in the urine drug screen during the last four weeks of the 12-week intervention.

Time frame: Last four weeks of the 12-week intervention

Relapse Rate (Number of Participants With Relapse) as Measured Via Self-report

Relapse will be measured via self-report utilizing the Timeline Follow-back (TLFB). The total number of participants who self-reported relapse during the last four weeks of the intervention period per treatment arm.

Time frame: 3 months

Opioid Cravings as Measured by the Opioid Craving Scale

Cravings as measured by the Opioid Craving Scale (OCS), a modification of the Cocaine Craving Scale will be utilized to assess opioid craving. The OCS consists of three items rated on a visual analog scale from 0-10. The total score is calculated by averaging the three items. Higher means scores represent more craving.

Time frame: 6 months

Social Support as Measured by the Community Assessment Inventory

Social Support as measured by the Community Assessment Inventory (CAI) to assess perceived support. The original CAI contains 37 items covering support within four areas i.e., family living with and outside, friends, and communities, with items in each area summed to create the corresponding subscales. Lower scores indicate less support and higher scores indicate greater support. We will only evaluate community support for the current study (containing 13 items). Therefore, scores ranged from 13 to 52.

Time frame: 6 months

Depression as Measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire

Depression as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), a 9-item self-report that measures depressive symptoms. The participant's score may range from 1- 27. The interpretation of the total score is as follows: 1-4, Minimal depression; 5-9, mild depression; 10-14, Moderate depression; 15-19, Moderately severe depression; 20-27, Severe depression. Higher numbers mean more depressive symptoms at 12 weeks post-end of intervention.

Time frame: 6 months

Stress as Measured by the Perceived Stress Scale

Stress as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), a 10-item self-report of perceived stress. Scores may range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress. Scores ranging from 0-13 would be considered low stress. Scores ranging from 14 to 26 would be considered moderate stress. Scores ranging from 27-40 would be considered high perceived stress.

Time frame: 6 months

Anxiety as Measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale

Anxiety as measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), a 7-item self-report of anxiety. The score for the seven items ranges from 0 to 21. Scores of 5-9 represent mild anxiety, 10- 14 represent Moderate anxiety, and scores greater than 15 represent severe anxiety. Higher numbers indicate higher anxiety at 12 weeks post-end of intervention.

Time frame: 6 months

Feasibility of Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention as Measured by Randomization Rate

Randomization rate (the number of participants randomized divided by the number of participants who consented). Participants consented to hear about the study before screening for eligibility was conducted. This was based on how our protocol was written. Therefore, some of the people who consented did not end up meeting the eligibility criteria for the study, and therefore were not considered enrolled in the study. The difference between consented participants and the enrolled participants is due to the screen failures. Participants are also only considered randomized after they complete all baseline data collection, including providing biosamples. We have revised this protocol for the R33 phase to avoid the issue of screen failures after the consent process is completed.

Time frame: 12 months

Feasibility of Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention as Measured by Enrollment Rate

Enrollment rate (the number of participants who sign the informed consent form divided by the number who are approached). Participants consented to hear about the study before screening for eligibility was conducted. This was based on how our protocol was written. Therefore, some of the people who consented did not end up meeting the eligibility criteria for the study, and therefore were not considered enrolled in the study. The difference between consented participants and the enrolled participants is due to the screen failures. Participants are also only considered randomized after they complete all baseline data collection, including providing biosamples. We have revised this protocol for the R33 phase to avoid the issue of screen failures after the consent process is completed.

Time frame: 12 months

Minds and Mentors Program (MiMP)- R61

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (2)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes