CompletedNot Applicable

Neurocognitive Empowerment for Addiction Treatment (NEAT) in Opioid Use Disorder and Amphetamine Use Disorder

United States104 participantsStarted 2019-03-06

Plain-language summary

Chronic drug addiction is not only associated with increased mental health symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, but also with brain (neural and cognitive) deficits. These neurocognitive deficits (NCDs) in memory, attention, decision-making, self-control and judgement disturb normal daily functioning and attempts for abstinence. These NCDs are also associated with worse long-term treatment outcomes. Current treatment programs for addiction to opioids and amphetamines are mainly focused on abstinence from illicit drugs with or without assistance of medications, with the assumption that these NCDs will subsequently heal. However, NCDs are found to persist even after a long-term abstinence and are thought to contribute to relapse, decreases quality of life, or lack of reintegration into society. Furthermore, NCDs (particularly related to attention and memory) are considered a potential obstacle for engagement in therapy services for addiction and associated mood, anxiety and trauma-related comorbidities (i.e., cognitive-behavioral therapies). Brain rehabilitation programs focused on compensatory strategies and training exercises for NCDs associated with traumatic brain injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia has consistently been found to improve functioning and long-term outcomes for these populations. There have been a few preliminary attempts to transplant cognitive rehabilitation with substance use populations, with some limited promise. However, these previous studies failed to link cognitive strategies with the drug use and affective/craving symptoms experienced by patients and also did not fully incorporate knowledge gained from neuroscientific research on opioid and/or methamphetamine addiction specifically. The aim of this study is to characterize clinical efficacy for an intervention targeting NCDs in opioid and/or methamphetamine addiction by enhancing awareness and use of neurocognitive skills in the context of substance use recovery. This aim will be accomplished by randomizing 80 subjects with opioid and/or methamphetamine use disorder who are already enrolled in substance use treatment in the state of Oklahoma to also complete a novel "Neurocognitive Empowerment for Addiction Treatment" (NEAT) program developed by a group of investigators at Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, Oklahoma. NEAT will be novel in (a) its use of cartoons, brain awareness games and real-life scenarios to ensure it is interactive and engaging, (b) the focus on the role of neurocognitive deficits in recovery from substance use and co-occurring mental health symptomatology, and (c) its incorporation of neuroscientific findings specific to substance use to the training and exercise strategies. Subjects will be followed up for twelve months after starting the program with different measures for addiction and mental health recovery to explore the efficacy of NEAT compared to the control intervention. Using LIBR's cutting-edge neuroimaging facilities before and after interventions, this study has the unique opportunity to monitor not only clinical outcomes but also potential changes NEAT may have on brain structure and function. In case of finding reasonable clinical efficacy for NEAT, it will be hopefully integrated as a manualized brain rehabilitation program to the substance use treatment programs.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Enrolled in an established substance use treatment program, such as the Women in Recovery or 12\&12 programs, Oxford Houses or others to be identified in the region) and diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder and/or Amphetamine Use Disorder based on DSM V criteria using MINI structured interview.
. Able to provide written informed consent.
. Have sufficient proficiency in the English language to understand and complete interviews, questionnaires, and all other study procedures.
. Completion of at least an 8th grade education, to help facilitate ability to engage in the written materials included in the NEAT program.
. Current mental or physical health symptoms that require immediate attention (such as suicidal ideation with intent or plan; active psychotic symptoms; delirium; etc.)

Exclusion criteria

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in craving self-report measured with Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS) total score

Timeframe: From pre to post intervention (4 weeks following last intervention session, on average at 18 weeks after baseline assessment)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03922646

SponsorLaureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc.

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2022-07-28

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Opioid-use Disorder trials