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Breathwork-assisted Treatment for Cannabis Use Disorder

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Addiction
Cannabis Use
Cannabis Dependence
Substance Abuse
Cannabis Abuse
Cannabis Use Disorder
Interventions
Behavioral: Breathwork workshop
Registration Number
NCT05219825
Lead Sponsor
Elias Dakwar
Brief Summary

The purpose of this proof-of-concept study is to evaluate the safety, feasibility and acceptability of a breathwork workshop intervention in individuals with cannabis use disorder.

Detailed Description

This study will test a 1-week breathwork workshop for treatment-seeking adults with a diagnosis of cannabis use disorder. The intervention consists of an enhanced breathing session with evocative music to facilitate experiencing non-ordinary states of consciousness, in addition to brief therapeutic interventions based on Motivational Interviewing and Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention (MBRP). The primary aim is to test the acceptability, feasibility and safety of enhanced breathwork in a therapeutic framework for cannabis use disorder. In addition, the investigators seek to understand the phenomenology of breathwork that may explain any change related to addictive behaviors, as well as biological changes that occur during the breathwork session through heart rate variability and electroencephalography.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria
  • 18-70 years of age
  • Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria for active cannabis use disorder.
  • Seeking treatment for their cannabis use
Exclusion Criteria
  • Meets DSM-V criteria for schizophrenia or any psychotic illness or any dissociative disorder (Dissociative identity disorder, Dissociative amnesia, Depersonalization/derealization disorder).
  • Active substance use disorder except for cannabis, nicotine, and caffeine.
  • History of severe withdrawal symptoms (i.e withdrawal seizures).
  • History of dementia, epilepsy or seizures, cardiac arrhythmia, pacemaker/defibrillator, heart failure, asthma, panic disorder and other respiratory illnesses (ie: COPD).

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Breathwork groupBreathwork workshopTreatment-seeking individuals with cannabis use disorder who will participate in the 1-week breathwork workshop.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Safety of the breathing session24 hours after the breathing session.

Occurrence of adverse effects through a self-reported questionnaire.

Acceptability of the breathwork sessionOne week after the breathing session.

Acceptability of the breathwork intervention through self-reported questionnaires.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Phenomenology of breathwork #2Obtained 24 hours after the breathing session

Subjective experiences during the breathing session will be assessed with the Emotional Breakthrough Inventory.

Heart Rate VariabilityMeasured during breathing session

Polar (H10) chest strap

Change in Cue ReactivityFrom baseline to 1 month after the breathing session.

Serial visual analogue scale for craving elicited by cannabis use.

Change in Motivation to QuitFrom baseline to 1 month after the breathing session.

Measured with the "Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale."

Change in cannabis useFrom baseline to 1 month after the breathing session.

Changes in cannabis use as measured by the Timeline Followback.

Phenomenology of breathwork #124 hours after the breathing session

Subjective experiences during the breathing session will be assessed with the 30-item Mystical Experience Questionnaire.

Electroencephalographic changesMeasured during breathing session

Electroencephalograpy cap

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

New York State Psychiatric Institute

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

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