Evaluating the Utility of a Brief Computerized Anxiety Sensitivity Intervention for Opioid Use Disorders: A Pilot Investigation
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Opioid Use Disorder
- Sponsor
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System
- Enrollment
- 32
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Intervention Acceptability Questionnaire (IAQ)
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 5 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The primary aim of the current project is to test the acceptability and feasibility of a computerized intervention, titled Computerized Anxiety Sensitivity Treatment (CAST), delivered to Veterans seeking treatment for an opioid use disorder. The second aim of the study is to examine the utility of CAST by gathering data on symptom change. The final aim of the current study is to test the effects of CAST on rates of attendance and retention in a substance use disorder treatment (SUDT) program.
Detailed Description
The pilot project will examine the effects of a brief, one-session computerized intervention delivered to Veterans seeking treatment for an opioid use disorder. The opioid epidemic in the United States (US) is having a disproportionate impact on Veterans. Indeed, Veterans are twice as likely to die from an accidental opioid overdose than members of the general population, even after accounting for gender and age distribution. Although many individuals with an opioid addiction seek treatment, a large proportion drop out prematurely and/or relapse, highlighting the need to identify modifiable factors that may contribute to this process. One variable that may be useful in understanding attrition in addiction treatment is anxiety sensitivity (AS). AS is a well-established psychological risk factor reflecting the tendency to fear anxious arousal due to the belief that this arousal will have harmful physical, mental, and/or social consequences. AS is elevated in opioid use populations and predicts treatment dropout among opioid users. Importantly, research suggests that AS is highly malleable. Despite this, to our knowledge no published research to date has systematically explored the utility of AS reduction protocols among opioid users. The first aim of the current project is to test the acceptability and feasibility of a brief, one-session Computerized AS Treatment (CAST) delivered to Veterans seeking treatment for an opioid use disorder. Because this is a pilot project and the study will likely be underpowered to detect treatment effects, we will not emphasize symptom reduction. Nevertheless, a second aim of the current project is to examine the utility of CAST by gathering data on symptom change. Finally, a third aim of the current project is to examine the effects of CAST on rates of attendance and retention in a substance use disorder treatment (SUDT) program.
Investigators
Amanda M. Raines
Research Psychologist
Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Veterans must be diagnosed with an opioid use disorder
Exclusion Criteria
- •Less than 18 years of age
- •Actively suicidal
- •Actively psychotic
- •Uncontrolled bipolar disorder (i.e., not stable on medications for at least one month)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Intervention Acceptability Questionnaire (IAQ)
Time Frame: One week post-intervention
The IAQ is an 11-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure treatment satisfaction. The IAQ includes nine items assessing acceptability (e.g., Do you think the information provided during the computerized intervention was helpful? How likely are you to use the information and techniques you learned during the computerized intervention?), which are rated on a 4-point Likert-type scale (0 = no; 1 = somewhat; 2 = moderately; 3 = yes) and two free response items requesting suggestions for improving the treatment. The IAQ will be administered at post-intervention to allow us to assess treatment acceptability.
Secondary Outcomes
- Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)(Baseline)
- Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT)(Baseline)
- PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)(Baseline)
- Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3)(Baseline, One week post-intervention, and Four weeks post-intervention)
- Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS)(Baseline, One week post-intervention, and Four weeks post-intervention)
- Depression Symptom Inventory-Suicide Subscale (DSI-SS)(Baseline, One week post-intervention, and Four weeks post-intervention)
- Desires for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ)(Baseline, One week post-intervention, and Four weeks post-intervention)
- Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS)(Baseline, One week post-intervention, and Four weeks post-intervention)
- Short Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS)(Baseline, One week post-intervention, and Four weeks post-intervention)
- Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS)(Baseline, One week post-intervention, and Four weeks post-intervention)