Using mindfulness to help prevent relapse in alcohol use disorder

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention and Psychophysiological Self-Regulation

NIH-funded research University of New Mexico · NIH-11053911

This study is looking at how mindfulness practices can help people with alcohol use disorder stay on track and avoid relapse, using wearable sensors to see how these practices affect their feelings and cravings in real time.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of New Mexico NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Albuquerque, United States)
Project IDNIH-11053911 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing mindfulness-based interventions to help individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) prevent relapse. It utilizes wearable sensors to monitor heart rate variability (HRV) before and after mindfulness sessions, providing insights into how these interventions affect emotional states and cravings. Participants will engage in ecological momentary assessments to capture real-time data on their experiences and behaviors related to alcohol use. The goal is to create a more effective treatment approach by understanding the relationship between mindfulness practices, physiological responses, and addiction cycles.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who are seeking support in maintaining their recovery.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or those who are not interested in mindfulness-based approaches may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing relapse in individuals recovering from alcohol use disorder.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results for mindfulness-based interventions in addiction treatment, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Albuquerque, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.