Mind-body Therapy in Women's Addiction Treatment: Feasibility and Acceptability

Purpose: To study Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT), a novel adjunctive approach to women's addiction treatment. A high proportion of women entering treatment report a history of interpersonal violence. Risk of relapse is associated with vulnerability to interpersonal stress. MABT is designed to facilitate emotional regulation, reduce avoidant coping and trauma symptoms, outcomes important for relapse prevention. The primary two aims of the study examined: 1) recruitment and retention feasibility, and 2) MABT acceptability. Sample and Methods: Eligibility required attendance in inpatient program and continued outpatient treatment. A 2-group RCT repeated measures design involved randomization to MABT plus usual care or usual care (UC) only. Eight weekly MABT sessions (1.5 hrs) spanned inpatient and outpatient programs. Assessments administered at four time-points. To measure MABT acceptability, survey and written questionnaire were administered. Analysis involved descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results: Sixty women were screened, 46 were eligible and 45 enrolled. Thirty assigned to MABT and 15 to UC. Twenty-five percent screened positive for PTSD; 80% reported sexual or physical assault. In MABT group, 12 were discharged from, or ended, outpatient program. Of remaining 18, 16 completed 75-100% MABT sessions; a typical retention rate for behavioral interventions in addiction research. Results indicated MABT was perceived to increase emotional awareness and provide new tools to cope with stress; these were perceived to reduce relapse risk. In conclusion, it is feasible to recruit and implement MABT in women's addiction treatment, and MABT acceptability and perceived benefit is high. (NIH-NIDA- R21DA024771)