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BEHANDLING-God og treffsikker diagnostikk, behandling og rehabilitering

Internet-Based Mindfulness and Yoga Intervention for Relapse Prevention

Awarded: NOK 0.26 mill.

More and more people receive treatment for substance abuse and / or mental illness. While many different types of measures have proven to be effective in the short term, relapse is very common. Being able to tolerate negative feelings and not act on them in an inappropriate way are core challenges in substance abuse, as well as in many mental disorders. Yoga methods appear to help directly in relation to these challenges. Internet-based measures have been shown to have a good effect in combination with good reach and 24/7 availability for a variety of drug abuse problems as well as psychological problems. The Internet can also be used to create a platform for increased integration and continuity in care. Therefore, in this preliminary project, we have gathered a group of experts (clinicians, end users, yoga teachers and researchers) to develop a project that combines all relevant knowledge into an effective Internet-based intervention to support relapse prevention. This collaboration resulted in a grant application that was sent to BEHANDLING spring 2017.

Whereas many different kinds of interventions have proven effective in the treatment of substance abuse and mental disorders, few of them have reliable long-term effects. Relapse rates after treatment are high. Directing and regulating behavior, as well as tolerating and regulating emotions are core challenges in substance abuse as well as in many mental disorders. Yoga-based interventions show good effect in increasing affect regulation, and mindfulness-based interventions show good effects on ability to inhibit negative thoughts as well as addictive behaviors. Internet-based interventions have been shown to have good efficacy in combination with good reach and 24/7 availability for a variety of substance abuse problems as well as mental health issues. The Internet can also be used to create a platform for increased integration and continuity in care. We propose in the current pre-project to bring together a group of experts (clinicians, users and researchers) to develop a project combining all the respective knowledge into an effective Internet-based intervention to support relapse prevention and recovery. Specifically, we will develop a full proposal to BEHANDLING, and protocols for the intervention and an effectiveness trial, respectively.

Funding scheme:

BEHANDLING-God og treffsikker diagnostikk, behandling og rehabilitering