The effect of mindfulness on decision-making, inhibitory control, and impulsivity of substance use disorder in-treatment patients: A randomized clinical trial

PLoS One. 2023 Nov 7;18(11):e0293502. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293502. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) in decision-making, inhibitory control and impulsivity compared to Treatment as Usual (TAU) for individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUD's) in Brazil. A randomized clinical trial was conducted with participants from a therapeutic community (n = 122). Decision-making (Iowa Gambling Task), impulsivity dimensions (UPPS-P Scale), and inhibitory control (Stroop Color-Word Test) were assessed before and after the MBRP 8-week intervention. GLM Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate the effects of MBRP on different impulsivity measures. The results showed that MBRP+TAU improved the general decision-making score (p = 0,008) compared to TAU. However, no significant effects were found in impulsivity dimensions and inhibitory control in individuals with SUDs in the therapeutic community. This study found improvement in decision-making in the total IGT score; however, no effect for self-reported impulsivity and inhibitory control among middle-aged patients after an 8-weeks intervention of MBRP protocol in an inpatient setting. It adds information to the subject, with implications and possible directions to be followed by the next clinical trials with patients with SUDs in treatment. Trial registration: EnsaiosClinicos.gov.br: RBR-6c9njc.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Gambling*
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior
  • Middle Aged
  • Mindfulness* / methods
  • Secondary Prevention / methods
  • Substance-Related Disorders* / therapy

Grants and funding

The authors report the following sources of funding: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, (#2015/19472-5) awarded to ARN and (#2019/01767-0) IFJ. We would like to acknowledge PLOS Publication Fee Assistance for giving a discount on expenses with publication. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript and all is described in Funding Statement.