Treatment-As-Usual (TAU) means that the usual treatment — according to accepted standards for your particular discipline — is given to a group of participants. For example, psychiatric TAU might include psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two 

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

The study is the first randomized-controlled trial evaluating the feasibility and initial efficacy of an 8-week outpatient Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) program as compared to treatment as usual (TAU) on 168 adults with substance. The results show that MBRP program participants are significantly lower rates of substance use as compared to those in TAU over the 4-month post-intervention period.

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Substance Use Disorders: A Pilot Efficacy Trial

Bowen, S., Chawla, N., Collins, S. E., Witkiewitz, K., Hsu, S., Grow, J., Clifasefi, S., Garner, M., Douglass, A., Larimer, M. E., & Marlatt, A. (2009). Mindfulness-based relapse prevention for substance use disorders: a pilot efficacy trial. Substance abuse, 30(4), 295–305. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897070903250084

Intergrates from Mindfulness-Based  Stress  Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for depression (MBCT).  Mindfulness practices  included in  MBRP are  intended to raise awareness of triggers,  monitor internal reactions,  and  foster more skillful behavioral choices. The   practices focus on  increasing acceptance and tolerance of positive and nega-tive physical,  emotional,  and  cognitive states, such as craving, there by decreasing the need to alleviate associated discomfort by engaging in substance use.

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) 

1. Participants (N=168) were recruited from a private, nonprofit agency providing a continuum of care for alcohol and drug use disorders, including outpatient 57% and 2% inpatient clients.
2. 75% patients are homeless
3. Eligible  participants  were  between  the  ages of 18 and 70, fluent in English, had completed intensive outpatient or inpatient treatment in the previous 2 weeks, and were medically cleared for  participation.  Exclusion criteria  included psychosis, dementia, imminent suicide risk, significant withdrawal risk, or need for more intensive treatment.

Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Substance Use Disorders: A Pilot Efficacy Trial (Participants)

1. Alcohol and other drug use: Being effective in MBRP until 4 months compare with TAU.
2. The Short Inventory of Problems (SIP) being effective the most during posttest and 2 months post-intervention, but results somewhat the same in 4 months post-intervention compare to TAU (treatment as usual)
3. Penn Alcohol Craving Scale: effective during posttest and 2 months post-intervention, not that effective in 4 months post-intervention
4. Acceptance and Action Questionnaire: most effective during posttest and 2 months post-intervention compare to TAU. 4 months post-intervention results nearly the same score.
5. Five-Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire with Awareness Scale: MBRP (Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention) show the effective by increasing overtime, however, it suddenly decrease at 4 months post-intervention. The TAU decreasing over time, however, it suddenly increase at 4 months post-intervention.


Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Substance Use Disorders: A Pilot Efficacy Trial (Results)

1. Strengths: First random controlled trail (RCT) evaluating the efficacy of a mindfulness-based intervention for substance use disorders and the prevention of relapse. 
2. Strengths: Provides preliminary support for  feasibility,  acceptability,  and  efficacy  of mindfulness-based  therapies  for  substance  use disorders in an ethnically diverse and challenging population, with high rates of homelessness and involvement with the legal system
3. Limitation: examine effects of MBRP on long-term outcomes: results in two  thirds  of  individuals  relapse  within  the first  3  months  following  treatment, hard to find significant between-group differences


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