Using mindfulness to help prevent relapse in alcohol use disorder
Official title: Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention and Psychophysiological Self-Regulation
Funded at University of New Mexico · NIH-11053911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $206,021 |
| NIH project number | 1K23AA031729-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who are seeking support in maintaining their recovery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have alcohol use disorder or those who are not interested in mindfulness-based approaches may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mccool, Matison William — University of New Mexico
- Study coordinator: Mccool, Matison William
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.