Wearable patch decreases cravings for alcohol and drugs

A recent investigation by researchers from Mass General Brigham and Harvard reveals that a non-pharmaceutical, wearable gadget can assist individuals with substance use disorders in managing stress, diminishing cravings, and decreasing their likelihood of relapse in real time. The findings are featured in JAMA Psychiatry.

“A defining characteristic of early addiction recovery is a lack of self-awareness regarding emotional states,” stated corresponding author David Eddie, a psychologist at the Recovery Research Institute affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital. “Individuals in recovery often encounter significant stress, yet they frequently lack awareness or effective management strategies for it.”

For those in the early stages of recovery, stress frequently incites cravings, and the effort to resist these impulses can induce even greater stress. This combination of cravings and stress can result in relapse. Moreover, stress and craving are typically linked to decreased heart rate variability (HRV) — the natural fluctuations in the intervals between heartbeats, reflecting both overall health and the body’s response to stress.

64%

Of participants less inclined to use substances while wearing the device

In the investigation, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, researchers evaluated whether a heart rate variability biofeedback device could aid in recovering from substance abuse by conducting a phase 2 clinical trial of 115 adults battling severe substance abuse disorders in their initial year of recovery. Half of the participants were equipped with a biofeedback smart patch device (the Lief HRVB Smart Patch), while the other half adhered to their existing recovery plans, such as attending recovery meetings, engaging in therapy, or taking medications. Over an eight-week period, participants documented their mood, cravings, and any substance use twice daily using their smartphones.

“The latest HRV biofeedback devices are capable of detecting when individuals are stressed or experiencing cravings, and, leveraging AI, they can prompt a quick session of biofeedback,” Eddie noted. “This enables individuals to proactively address their risks.”

Participants were encouraged to engage in a minimum of 10 minutes of scheduled practice per day and at least five minutes of prompted practice. Those who utilized the biofeedback device reported fewer negative emotions, experienced reduced cravings for alcohol or drugs, and were 64 percent less likely to use substances on any given day, indicating that the intervention disrupted the cycle of craving and substance use.

The research concentrated solely on individuals in their first year of an abstinence-focused recovery effort, and further studies are required to evaluate whether the intervention offers long-lasting benefits.

“The initial year of recovery is exceptionally challenging,” remarked Eddie. “Our aim is to discover tools that not only assist individuals during that first year but also empower them to manage their stress throughout their lives.”