A pilot randomized clinical trial of mindfulness-oriented recovery enhancement as an adjunct to methadone treatment for people with opioid use disorder and chronic pain: Impact on illicit drug use, health, and well-being.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) as an adjunct treatment to methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) for reducing illicit opioid use and chronic pain.
Results Summary
Participants receiving MORE showed significantly fewer days of illicit drug use, lower craving, reduced pain, and improved well-being compared to those receiving only MMT. The benefits persisted through the 16-week follow-up.
Population
Individuals in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for opioid use disorder with chronic pain.
Effective Dosage
Eight weekly two-hour MORE group sessions.
Duration
8 weeks of intervention, with follow-up at 16 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus methadone TAU | decrease | baseline adjusted days of illicit drug use | Randomized individuals in MMT | - | evidenced significantly fewer | #1 |
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus methadone TAU | decrease | craving | Randomized individuals in MMT | - | significantly lower levels of | #2 |
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus methadone TAU | decrease | pain | Randomized individuals in MMT | - | significantly lower levels of | #3 |
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus methadone TAU | decrease | physical and emotional limitations | Randomized individuals in MMT | - | significantly lower levels of | #4 |
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus methadone TAU | decrease | depression | Randomized individuals in MMT | - | significantly lower levels of | #5 |
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus methadone TAU | decrease | anxiety | Randomized individuals in MMT | - | significantly lower levels of | #6 |
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus methadone TAU | increase | well-being | Randomized individuals in MMT | - | significantly higher levels of | #7 |
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus methadone TAU | increase | vitality | Randomized individuals in MMT | - | significantly higher levels of | #8 |
Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) plus methadone TAU | increase | social functioning | Randomized individuals in MMT | - | significantly higher levels of | #9 |
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is highly prevalent among people in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) for opioid use disorder and is known to be an important contributor to treatment discontinuation and opioid relapse. Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) is one of the few interventions developed and tested as an integrated treatment to simultaneously address both pain and illicit opioid use; however, this study is the first to evaluate MORE as an adjunct to MMT. METHODS: Randomized individuals in MMT (N = 30) received MORE plus methadone TAU (n = 15) or methadone TAU, only (n = 15). Participants in the MORE arm received their MMT, as usual, and attended eight, weekly, two-hour MORE groups at their MMT clinics. Participants in the TAU arm received their MMT, as usual, and group or individual counseling, as required by the clinic. TAU counseling consisted of relapse prevention, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and supportive treatment. TAU participants did not receive any mindfulness-based intervention. Participants completed assessments at baseline, post-treatment (i.e., 8-weeks post-baseline), and follow-up (i.e., 16-weeks post-baseline). RESULTS: Participants in MORE evidenced significantly fewer baseline adjusted days of illicit drug use and significantly lower levels of craving through 16-week follow-up compared to TAU. Also, Participants in MORE reported significantly lower levels of pain, physical and emotional limitations, depression, and anxiety through 16-week follow-up compared to TAU. Conversely, participants in MORE reported significantly higher levels of well-being, vitality, and social functioning through 16-week follow-up compared to TAU. CONCLUSION: MORE could be an effective adjunct to MMT, and larger trials are warranted.