Association of Loneliness and Mindfulness in Substance Use Treatment Retention.
Johnathan M Herczyk, Keith J Zullig, Stephen M Davis, Jennifer Mallow, Gerald R Hobbs, Danielle M Davidov, Laura R Lander, Laurie Theeke
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health August 13, 2023 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20166571 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational analysis of data from a mindfulness-based relapse prevention intervention Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 80 |
| Population | Individuals receiving medication for opioid use disorder in Appalachia |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Opioid-related disorders Ambulatory care Affect Loneliness Retention Mental health Intervention strategies Moud |
| Key findings | Loneliness, depression, and anxiety did not differ between participants retained and not retained in treatment and did not predict dropout. Lower mindfulness was associated with not being retained (OR = 0.956, 95% CI 0.912-1.00, p < 0.05). The authors suggest this preliminary finding supports integrating mindfulness training into treatment. |
Abstract
Background: Elevated mental illness prevalence complicates efforts designed to address the opioid crisis in Appalachia. The recovery community acknowledges that loneliness impacts mood and engagement in care factors; however, the predictive relationship between loneliness and retention in medication-assisted outpatient treatment programs has not been explored. Our objectives were to identify associations between mental health factors and retention in treatment and elucidate treatment retention odds. Data were collected from eighty participants (n = 57 retained, n = 23 not retained) of a mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) intervention for individuals receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) in Appalachia. Loneliness, depression, and anxiety did not differ between the retained and not retained, nor did they predict not being retained; however, mindfulness was significantly lower among those not retained in treatment compared to those retained (OR = 0.956, 95% CI (0.912-1.00), and p < 0.05). Preliminary findings provide evidence for mindfulness training integration as part of effective treatment, with aims to further elucidate the effectiveness of mindfulness therapies on symptom reduction in co-occurring mental health disorders, loneliness, and MOUD treatment retention.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |