Efficacy of Cognitive vs. Mindfulness Targeted Hypnotic Suggestion on Working Memory and Relapse in Alcohol Treatment
Background: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to problems related to working memory, which may negatively impact the effectiveness of alcohol treatment. Previous research showed that a cognitive targeted hypnotic suggestion intervention called Suggestion Based Cognitive Rehabilitation (SBCR) had positive effects on working memory in patients with acquired brain injury compared to a mindfulness intervention. This randomized control study aimed to assess the effectiveness of SBCR adapted for patients in alcohol treatment compared to a mindfulness-based approach on working memory and relapse (primary outcomes), wellbeing, alexithymia, confidence in abstinence, and therapeutic relations (secondary outcomes).
Methods: 44 patients receiving treatment as usual (TAU) at an inpatient alcohol treatment center were randomized to receive SBCR or the Mindfulness-based intervention (22 per group) over four sessions within four weeks. Pre- and post-intervention assessments focused on working memory, well-being, alexithymia, confidence in abstinence, and relationship with the therapist. Patients were allocated in a counter-balanced manner to ensure groups were similar at baseline. Follow-up assessments were conducted three months after the intervention to evaluate well-being and incidents of relapse. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.
Results: We found no differences between groups on any of the outcomes over time. Both groups increased significantly from pre- to post-assessment on well-being but saw only non-significant improvements in alexithymia, confidence in abstinence, and therapeutic relations.
Conclusions: These results show that the unique components of SBCR did not improve mental health measures over and above Mindfulness for inpatients at an alcohol treatment center. The large absolute treatment effects of both treatments point to the potential of both methods in enhancing alcohol treatment and underscore the need for continued research into their specific applications within the alcohol-dependent population.
