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Abstract

Grant Number:	1R21AT001350-01A2
Project Title:	Qigong Therapy for Treating Cocaine Addiction

PI Information:	Name	Email	Title
	SMELSON, DAVID A.	david.smelson@umassmed.edu

Abstract: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This revised R21 grant application (1R21AT001350-01A1) was previously submitted in October, 2003, to perform a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to investigate external Qigong therapy (EQT) in reducing cue-elicited craving and improving treatment outcome in withdrawn cocaine dependent patients. The specific aims of the study include: (1) Examining the efficacy of EQT for reducing cue-elicited cocaine craving in acutely abstinent cocaine dependent subjects; (2) Investigating the effect of EQT on reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with acute withdrawal; (3) Investigating the effect of EQT on reducing substance use and the incidence of addiction-related problems; and (4) Testing whether the benefits of EQT are independent of the perceived credibility of EQT and the expectancy one has of experiencing positive treatment outcomes. These aims will be achieved through a trial with 98 cocaine dependent subjects who will be randomly assigned to either a Qigong treated group or a Sham treated control group. Qigong treatment consists of "Qi emission" by the Qigong Master toward the head area for a total of six 10-minute sessions over 2 weeks. EQT effectiveness in reducing craving will be determined using a cue-elicited craving paradigm. This involves a set of highly standardized and safe procedures for inducing craving in a controlled laboratory setting by exposing subjects to cocaine-related and neutral non-drug related cues. The present researchers have employed this methodology in clinical trials to screen anti-craving medications for cocaine addiction for the past 8 years. In addition to the two-week laboratory model, this study will also examine the efficacy of Qigong for reducing anxiety and depression associated with acute withdrawal, increasing sobriety, and improving substance use and related problems identified on the Addiction Severity Index. Finally, we will examine whether the subject's belief in treatment has an effect on treatment outcomes. The pilot data collected through this R21 grant will serve as a basis for future R01 applications to examine Qigong efficacy in improving craving and treatment outcome for cocaine addiction.

Public Health Relevance:
This Public Health Relevance is not available.

Thesaurus Terms:
alternative medicine, cocaine, craving, drug abuse therapy, drug withdrawal, exercise, human therapy evaluation, meditation
anxiety, behavioral medicine, clinical trial, cue, depression, drug /alcohol abstinence, outcomes research, patient care management, substance abuse related behavior
behavioral /social science research tag, clinical research, data collection methodology /evaluation, human subject, interview, patient oriented research, questionnaire, urinalysis

Institution:	UNIV OF MED/DENT NJ-R W JOHNSON MED SCH
	ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCH
	PISCATAWAY, NJ 088548021
Fiscal Year:	2005
Department:	Psychiatry
Project Start:	01-JUN-2005
Project End:	31-MAY-2008
ICD:	NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
IRG:	ZAT1

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