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Neurophysiological mechanisms in acceptance and commitment therapy in opioid-addicted patients with chronic pain
Rachel F Smallwood1, Jennifer S Potter2, Donald A Robin1
1University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Research Imaging Institute, 8403 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Department of Psychiatry, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
Abstract:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been effectively utilized to treat both chronic pain and substance use disorder independently. Given these results and the vital need to treat the comorbidity of the two disorders, a pilot ACT treatment was implemented in individuals with comorbid chronic pain and opioid addiction. This pilot study supported using neurophysiology to characterize treatment effects and revealed that, following ACT, participants with this comorbidity exhibited reductions in brain activation due to painful stimulus and in connectivity at rest.
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