Modified cognitive behavioral therapy (M-CBT) for cocaine dependence: Development of treatment for cognitively impaired users and results from a Stage 1 trial

Psychol Addict Behav. 2018 Nov;32(7):800-811. doi: 10.1037/adb0000398. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

Abstract

Cognitive impairments are associated with poor outcomes when treating cocaine dependent patients, but behavioral interventions to mitigate this impact have not been developed. In this Stage 1A/1B treatment development study, several compensatory strategies (e.g., content repetition, daily logs, diaries, visual presentation) were combined to create a modified cognitive behavioral therapy (M-CBT) for treating cocaine dependence. Initially, a select group of therapists, neuropsychology experts, and patients were asked to provide input on early drafts of the treatment manual and companion patient workbook. After an uncontrolled small trial (N = 15) and two rounds of manual development (Stage 1A), a pilot randomized clinical trial (N = 102) of cocaine dependent outpatients with and without cognitive impairments was conducted (Stage 1B). Participants were randomized to M-CBT (N = 52) or CBT (N = 50). Both treatments were individually delivered over 12 weeks with assessments conducted at baseline, end-of-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome was frequency of cocaine use, measured by number of days used in the prior 7 days. Participants in the two treatment groups did not differ significantly on drug use reduction or retention in treatment. However, among participants who completed at least 9 weeks of treatment, those in M-CBT showed a trend toward greater reduction in cocaine use compared to those in the CBT group. M-CBT is feasible for impaired and nonimpaired cocaine dependent participants. However, M-CBT treatment did not show significant superiority over standard CBT in the present sample. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / complications
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / therapy*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / complications
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / psychology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outpatients
  • Treatment Outcome